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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: herseyb on July 14, 2015, 10:14:16 AM
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Well, y'all (and by y'all I mean 80% Johnny) are so helpful that I've come back with more questions.
My seat clip is broken on one side - is there an easy fix for this?
Looking under my seat - there isn't a tool tray right below - does that mean I have the shorty model?
The bike was dropped by the PO on some wet leaves at the bottom of the driveway - the front fork/axle attachment on the right side is ground down a bit. That doesn't bother me too much, but the conspicuous hole kinda does. Is there supposed to be something in that hole? :dunno
Blurry pictures attached.
Thanks gang.
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You have the low seat configuration.
The hole in the axle facilitates its removal with a screwdriver.
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So my right box is cracked - any estimates on what sending it to a plastic welder costs?
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I've had good luck with cracked cases using west systems 2-part epoxy and fiberglass cloth. I don't know anyone who has had them plastic welded but I'd like to know myself where that can be done and how much $$.
Re: the seat...my latch catch was broken once and I remember fixing it with JBWeld. Hard to tell from the blurry pic ... Do you have the catch that goes there or is it broken off and gone?
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So my right box is cracked - any estimates on what sending it to a plastic welder costs?
There is a product called Rapid Fix that I get at our local Car Quest Auto. It's a sort of two part superglue epoxy combo. I can't really describe it. It is one part sort of thick superglue, and one part some kind of powder that you can do home plastic welding with. It glues rubber hoses back together like new, and I've used it on 25 year old plastic parts on my GS that have snapped. I've never had anything that I have used it on fail again yet. It's made in the USA. I think MCN had a write up on it awhile back. Anyway, I have been really amazed at what I can do with it. I'd try it on that cracked bag. I don't have any affiliation with them at all, I just love the stuff.
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I think the problem with these cases is that it's really hard to get the cracked parts to mate again once there's a gap between the cracked parts. I've tried using a cabinet clamp to press the crack together but it didn't seem like it would join tight enough for any kind of glue to really get a good bond. And if it doesn't bond, then the crack is likely to expand.
That's why I went with 2-part epoxy and cloth on the inside. The crack is still visible from the outside but at least the epoxy and cloth binds strong enough along the inside surface that the crack won't expand and will be watertight. I think plastic welding would address this -- but I don't think there's any glue product I'd trust to give a better hold than a layer of epoxy and fiberglass cloth on the inside of the case.
Anyone have experience with plastic welding?
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I think the problem with these cases is that it's really hard to get the cracked parts to mate again once there's a gap between the cracked parts. I've tried using a cabinet clamp to press the crack together but it didn't seem like it would join tight enough for any kind of glue to really get a good bond. And if it doesn't bond, then the crack is likely to expand.
That's why I went with 2-part epoxy and cloth on the inside. The crack is still visible from the outside but at least the epoxy and cloth binds strong enough along the inside surface that the crack won't expand and will be watertight. I think plastic welding would address this -- but I don't think there's any glue product I'd trust to give a better hold than a layer of epoxy and fiberglass cloth on the inside of the case.
Anyone have experience with plastic welding?
I've used West Systems epoxy and glass on sailboat repairs, and that is a great option. With the Rapid Fix, the powder portion fills cracks. You put it on in layers, then sand off the extra. Glass would work for sure, I've just been so impressed with this stuff that I've been trying to get the word out. It's certainly a lot easier to do than glass.
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I've don't have any experience with plastic welding myself, but I heard about it as a potential repair solution and saw a local feller on Craigslist offering it up.
I sent him the above photo and his first offer was $75, which seems high to me.
I have done fiberglass/epoxy repair when I popped a hole in my dad's canoe before, so maybe I'll just counter offer and go DIY.
Jnclem, did you use this kit? http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/West_System_Epoxy_Repair_Kits.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwz6KtBRDwgq-LsKjMk9kBEiQAuaxWUjOAgYl61ycRMfQzVvpBGZ0PUVb-hH87sxXlUzFxDooaAqYV8P8HAQ
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So my right box is cracked - any estimates on what sending it to a plastic welder costs?
(http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=7133.0;attach=11625;image)
MMMM. i spy ohlins.
if you can figure out what kind of plastic that is it'll help. look closely in the difficult to see areas, there may be some markings.
if you're lucky it's ABS, same as the black plastic pipe at your local hardware store. it can be glued same as that pipe, with the same "pipe cement" if you like, or just get some MEK from the chemicals aisle, apply carefully to the crack and squeeze it together. pipe cement is mostly MEK and acetone with ABS dissolved into it to act as a filler for pipe joints. filler isn't really necessary here.
after that you can do lots of things, including maybe nothing, adding glass to the back side, this is a neat idea (from a kayak repair site) where you melt metal mesh into the area surrounding the cracks
(http://www.urethanesupply.com/images_old/kcw03.jpg)
(you can use a soldering iron insetad of that specialized... soldering iron they're using)
you can drill a bunch of little holes on either side of the cracks and stitch it up like shoelaces with safety wire. some like to use zip ties, but they'll break eventually.
harbor freight has plastic welders for fairly cheap if you want to take a crack at it yourself.
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I don't think I got that whole kit. I used their epoxy and some glass cloth.
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Swapped this tank gasket out and brushed the salts off the other surfaces. And new tires! Wow what a difference in handling!