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View Full Version : RF400 fairing repair questions. (Damaged fairings, and fitting a rf900 front fairin).



who_me_33
2nd September 2008, 16:05
As the topic states, Ive got a few questions about fairing repair. With the fixing of the cracks, and the holes, from what it appears by looking round here is that the only way to do it properly is to get is plastic welded. Does anyone know the approximate costs of plastic welding, I have 3 mounting tabs to re-attach, about 6 inches of cracks in various places, and one hole, about 1.5" diameter. If it is possible to do a good job at home, how would this be done, or is it not even worth bothering with.
With the repair of the gravel rash, and tidying up of scratches, and any tidying up of the repaired cracks and holes, is there a special body filler I need to use to stick to the plastic, and be flexible enough not to crack under normal riding use.
With preparing the fairings, is cleaning it off with meths, and then removing any traces of decals the recommended way of doing it. Do I need to do any special preparation of where the filler is going to be applied. Then for preparation for paint, other than sanding the whole thing down, going up to about 1600 grit, and wet sanding, are there any special precautions I need to take. For painting it, I am going to get a mate to paint it, as he works in a panel beaters, and has the experience and access to the equipment that is needed to do a good job.
With the fitment of the rf900 front fairing, has anyone had any experience in this, as the front fairing on my bike is beyond repair, and am going to replace it, but the rf400 front fairings seem to be few and far between. Are they the same, (they appear to be, but cannot tell from pictures), and does it fit on without modifications. Or am I just being too optimistic here, and should I just persevere and try and source a rf400 front fairing.
The bike is registered as a 2004 rf400, but have been told that it is a 1997 model. If there is any oversights here that people can see, please mention it, I want to do this once, and right, so am prepared to spend a bit of money (within reason) on it.
Thanks in advance
Nick
EDIT:
Turns out that its not worth even trying to put a rf900 front fairing on due to size differences. So now on the lookout for a rf400 front fairing, and the tidying up of the side fairings is on hold till I get one of them.

Steve Gauge
3rd September 2008, 08:09
rf400 and 600 and 900 are the same front fairings , the tailsections are different , I think www.justfairings.co.nz in Hamilton has an original top fairing as for all your plastic welding go to a decent plastic welder ,and dont waste your time it will take ages and will re crack

BRV
3rd September 2008, 22:19
Hi, in regards to fairing repairs ive done quite a bit and rebuilt some serious damage with large pieces and chunks missing all together, and the best results ive had is with EPOXY resin and 6 ounce fiberglass cloth repairs. You need to remove material about two inches around the crack tapering into the crack front and back, as for the hole remove material same as before and use duct tape or something similar to support the fiberglass, then starting with small pieces of glass apply larger pieces building it back up untill the area you ground back is covered, let dry and grind smooth then do the opposite side. Plastic welding is ok but im at the moment repairing previous plastic welding that has just cracked again.

As for filler i use epoxy resin mixed with a product called Q-CELL, mixed to a consistency of Mr Whippy ice cream. You should be able to get these products from any mitre 10, boat builder or fiberglass supplier. Epoxy resin is a bit more expensive than than the more common polyester resin but only Epoxy will do for plastic repairs as it uses a physical bond as opposed to polyester which uses a chemical bond. If you have trouble finding the Q-CELL a good automotive filler will do. You will need to rough up the area to be filled.

Surface prep is the key to a good paint job, depending on what paint system you will be using will determine how smooth the fairings will need to be sanded. Best to ask your mate how far to go.

who_me_33
23rd September 2008, 10:10
Hi. Apologies for the delay in replying, just spent almost the last 3 weeks in hospital with a shattered ankle (non motorbike related). Cheers, I will try and get hold of that front fairing that I was looking at. And I will go for the plastic welding, just on the account that working on it for me has now just got a whole lot more tricky.
Cheers
Nick