Fairing Repair -- Advice Needed

[thunderbolt]

Well I started the strip down of my VTR to do the coolant change and also the stopper mod.

When following Carl's instructions to remove the fairing safely I managed to break one of the lower mounting hole pieces off the fairing.

See pictures below.










My plan was to run some JB Weld along both parts where the break happened. When this was dry I planned to mix up some resin and using fiber glass matting put layers of this behind the broken pieces and build it up to a decent thickness and then redrill the mounting hole so the lower bracket on the radiator can be reattached.

Do you think this will work?

Is there a better idea?

Or can I replace the fairing and leave this part of the fairing unattached. The other side is ok and not damaged and the two upper attachment points on both sides are ok as well.

I didn't understand how these attachments came apart. I thought they were those plastic bushing things that expanded as the bolts were screwed in. I didn't realise that they had nuts on the other side.

Thanks again for help offered. On a big learning curve with this new bike.

P.S. Can someone who has done the stopper mod on their CCTs tell me how to work out the length of the 8mm rod that is required to be cut. Where is the measurement taken from? Does the CCT have to be locked in position somehow before it is removed?

[Wicky]

I thought they were those plastic bushing things that expanded as the bolts were screwed in. I didn't realise that they had nuts on the other side.

Usually there is just a simple plastic fastener - pretty crappy and can be be dispensed with. Sounds like a PO had used an alternative fastening incorporating nuts & bolts. To fix the snapped placcy securely back you can use something like plastex >

Plastic repair & prep on fairings with pics > http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... it=plastex

Stopper mod > The Workshop Knowledgebase > http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 31&t=19416

[VTRDark]

Doh... you flaming Galah LOL

Fairing tabs are a pain in the butt, so easily broken like the ones on the lower part of the tail fairing, another common area to break/snap! As Wicky said it's usually plastic trim clips that hold that piece together so someone has used an alternative.

As for repair I like the fibreglass idea, maybe make a V shaped groove between the pieces by sanding an angled edge on each piece. This will help whatever product you use to adhere and give more of a fixing point. A bit like scraping out the cracks on a household wall before filling/caulking before painting. The only issue with fibreglass resin, though strong, is that it does not have much flex in it. A little flex in this area is most likely beneficial.

In my experience most repair products will never be as strong or stronger than what it was to begin with so will always be a weak point. Also it depends on the prep, how well the products are used. The better the prep the better the finish as the old saying goes. On the plus side that fixing point is not of much importance as far as I can see. In fact I don't even bother to use mine as I have the fairing off so many times for one thing or another it becomes a pain in the butt getting down on the floor to remove them. I can't see what the point of them is really apart from holding the fairing in tight at the bottom. Maybe they help with airflow/aerodynamics slightly by stopping any wind/airflow from getting in underneath that area and lifting it slightly away from the rad and/or flapping at higher speeds If someone was in competition racing this could be an issue where every split second counts maybe. Just an idea!!! I've never had any issues with not having the fairing secured there. Another option is to drill a new hole alongside the broken tab and use a cable tie/tie wrap to secure it to the rad bracket.

3M make a product specifically for this kind of repair which I suspect is one of the best and as good as new with being 3M, a market leader. I have never used it myself as I can't justify the cost. But check out the vid in the following link which is like a repair tutorial and also inspirational. It may give you some ideas.
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 74#p340445

I wont go into the stopper mod here. Read through the stopper thread Wicky posted the link to and all will be revealed.

(:-})

[toecutter]

I just repaired a tab on my lower fairing following this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7GRNvPSf7k

[thunderbolt]

I just repaired a tab on my lower fairing following this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7GRNvPSf7k

Thanks Toecutter, I did the same repair on my lower bracket as well after watching the video. It appears to have worked ok. It seems strong at the moment. Have to wait until it's on the bike and see how it stands up to regular use.

[rollingthunderx2]

Or you could use this, the easiest and quickest, and as far as I have found the strongest repair material.
As strong as the original.

[thunderbolt]

Or you could use this, the easiest and quickest, and as far as I have found the strongest repair material.
As strong as the original.

Sounds good. I might give it a try if the current repair doesn't work successfully.

Thanks

[nt1980]

You can try pvcu welding i did this to both of mine as they were snapped when i first bought the bike think there the only fixing points that survived my green laneing excercise

[rollingthunderx2]

I repaired a fairing smashed in 5 pieces with q bond, you can bend the fairing right over and it doesnt break.