Side cover repair

[Rob S.]

So is J-B Weld PlasticWeld (one of) the preferred stuff for side cover repair? I'd like to get some hooked up soon. How will people know how big my peni I mean engine is (it doesn't say "1100" anywhere else on my '82 E)?

Seriously, any tips for repair and then secure mounting are appreciated. Can this JB "Plastic Repair Epoxy Putty" be formed into missing tabs? 'Cause I've got a few of those.

 

[tkent02]

Dunno about that particular stuff, but epoxy sticks well. Use some used dryer sheets as you would use fiberglass, it's strong as Hell and very easy to handle. You can also use dental floss as you would use rebar in concrete, also very strong.

That said I prefer to use a soldering iron to weld the plastic together.

 

[posplayr]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160547&highlight=cover+repair

 

[Spiff]

I used sugru to make new tabs on my side covers, so I suppose the epoxy putty will work too

 

[StubbornDutchman]

I used JB PlastikWeld to fill the holes in my side covers. Worked perfectly. Once it was painted you'd never know there were holes. Didn't have any missing tabs though.

 

[tkent02]

I used sugru to make new tabs on my side covers, so I suppose the epoxy putty will work too

Wow, never heard of it before.. Here it is:

http://sugru.com/buy/?gclid=CKvA99fV770CFYdFMgod6XkALA

Is it strong? Does it last?

Going to try some.

 

[bccap]

I had two tabs broken and one or two tabs left { I can't remember exactly } on each of the side covers on my 750. I used epoxy to glue two rare earth magnets to each cover. To experiment I first taped them in and it's a good thing I did as the first ones I tried were way too strong. They've been on there for two years now and those covers aren't going anywhere. The magnets cost about 3 bucks apiece....

 

[Spiff]

Wow, never heard of it before.. Here it is:

http://sugru.com/buy/?gclid=CKvA99fV770CFYdFMgod6XkALA

Is it strong? Does it last?

Going to try some.

Yeah, it hardens to a pretty hard silicon rubber. Got to make sure whatever you're attaching it to is clean, my sidecover was not and one tab fell off...

I even made a fuse holder of it for my GS by encapsulating two spade type wire crimp connectors with it.

 

[Gregory]

I had two tabs broken and one or two tabs left { I can't remember exactly } on each of the side covers on my 750. I used epoxy to glue two rare earth magnets to each cover. To experiment I first taped them in and it's a good thing I did as the first ones I tried were way too strong. They've been on there for two years now and those covers aren't going anywhere. The magnets cost about 3 bucks apiece....

That sounds kind of interesting. I would have thought that would be a way to lose a side cover. Do you have a picture of the inside of your covers?

 

[Rob S.]

Side cover attachment

Side cover attachment

I have the NY "EZ Pass" toll device on the windshield of my car. It's not attached with Velcro, but it works in a similar way. Is anyone familiar with this, know what it's called?

I was thinking that might be a way to attach the side covers.

 

[tkent02]

I had two tabs broken and one or two tabs left { I can't remember exactly } on each of the side covers on my 750. I used epoxy to glue two rare earth magnets to each cover. To experiment I first taped them in and it's a good thing I did as the first ones I tried were way too strong. They've been on there for two years now and those covers aren't going anywhere. The magnets cost about 3 bucks apiece....

I can get those little Neodymium or whatever it is magnets in Hong Kong for just about nothing, I should grab a few. Hundred.

What size did you end up using?

 

[bccap]

I can get those little Neodymium or whatever it is magnets in Hong Kong for just about nothing, I should grab a few. Hundred.

What size did you end up using?

It was two years ago. But they were about 3/4to 1 inch across but it's the thickness that makes for the strength. I'll see if I can find one and measure it.

 

[bccap]

Tom. The battery in my watchamacallit calipers is dead. { I can never remember that name } I'll PM you when I replace it. Gregory here's a pic. As you can see two tabs are broken. I wouldn't do it without one left unless I went for a stronger magnet. Oops it looks like only one tab is broken and I used two magnets. It was two years ago. I'd still do it if only one tab were remaining. Those things are strong. I'd just add a few more magnets where the broken one was...

 

[Grimly]

I had two tabs broken and one or two tabs left { I can't remember exactly } on each of the side covers on my 750. I used epoxy to glue two rare earth magnets to each cover. To experiment I first taped them in and it's a good thing I did as the first ones I tried were way too strong. They've been on there for two years now and those covers aren't going anywhere. The magnets cost about 3 bucks apiece....

Must remember that one.

 

[tkent02]

Tom. The battery in my watchamacallit calipers is dead.

Digital ?

 

[SVSooke]

Tom. The battery in my watchamacallit calipers is dead. { I can never remember that name } I'll PM you when I replace it. Gregory here's a pic. As you can see two tabs are broken. I wouldn't do it without one left unless I went for a stronger magnet. Oops it looks like only one tab is broken and I used two magnets. It was two years ago. I'd still do it if only one tab were remaining. Those things are strong. I'd just add a few more magnets where the broken one was...

Ahhh yes that top tab,no matter how I try to get them reattached they pull out.This looks like my new plan,thanks Garth:clap:

 

[bccap]

Digital ?

Yup... I've never actually used it. Bought it a couple of years ago and still in the package. I'll pick up a battery in the next couple of days. There is a scale on the shaft but I don't see a mark to line it up with unless you are supposed to use the top of the plastic housing where the digital gauge is ?

 

[Gregory]

Ahhh yes that top tab,no matter how I try to get them reattached they pull out.This looks like my new plan,thanks Garth:clap:

Thanks for the pic ! another option that would be inexpensive would be to use Velcro, although the magnet idea is a bit cleaner

 

[ptexotik]

post # 3 (posplayr solution that incorporates the perfect 'end-tab' action being introduced, SECURING sidecover)
NEEEXT !!!!

then you, the next owner, or the wrecking yard 'cause you pi$$ed off one too many 'tailgaters' .... will never have sidecover concerns, ever again (100x stronger than original lame tabs)

 

[tkent02]

Yup... I've never actually used it. Bought it a couple of years ago and still in the package. I'll pick up a battery in the next couple of days. There is a scale on the shaft but I don't see a mark to line it up with unless you are supposed to use the top of the plastic housing where the digital gauge is ?

The one that reads zero when you close it all the way.