Mikuzzi Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hi all, First post with my first problem. I've been lurking and enjoying the site for a while now having bought an '04 Ballabio some months back - love the bike! The plastic starter motor cover cracked into two peices while riding. I don't know why. there was no knock or bump and the bike hasn't been dropped. I was exiting a freeway and couldn't move the gear lever (dark thoughts of shift return springs and other issues....), but it was simply the larger piece of the starter cover had come adrift and jammed between the lever and the frame. Some info on the back of the part indicates the material is ABS so, what would be the best way of repairing? Plastic weld? two part epoxy glue? Other? Any insights appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy1100 Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hi all, First post with my first problem. I've been lurking and enjoying the site for a while now having bought an '04 Ballabio some months back - love the bike! The plastic starter motor cover cracked into two peices while riding. I don't know why. there was no knock or bump and the bike hasn't been dropped. I was exiting a freeway and couldn't move the gear lever (dark thoughts of shift return springs and other issues....), but it was simply the larger piece of the starter cover had come adrift and jammed between the lever and the frame. Some info on the back of the part indicates the material is ABS so, what would be the best way of repairing? Plastic weld? two part epoxy glue? Other? Any insights appreciated! Gday Mikuzzi, Have had good results with two packs on ABS. Must be spotless - (carb cleaner, electrical contact cleaner etc) and it helps if the item is warm. You were lucky to have both bits when you pulled up! mud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavo Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Hi, if the prices of our local plastic welder are anything to go by it would be cheaper to buy a new one or better yet two pack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuzziMoto Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 If it is ABS plastic(or something like it), you want a glue that contains MEK(Methyl Ethyl Ketone) to repair it. It comes in different forms ranging from thinner then water to thick and gooey. It will melt the plastics and allow them to fuse, then evaporate so the plastic can re-harden. Like these... http://www.eplastics.com/Plastic/ABS-Glue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstallons Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Have you priced a carbon fibre part. I have an OEM green one you can have. You pay shipping$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard100t Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 It looks like the part may have gotten screwed on too tightly. I see those covers on ebay pretty frequently for $50 or so, cf ones are even under $100 now. After a quick look on ebay there arent any there today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeve Posted February 21, 2009 Share Posted February 21, 2009 Crazy glue it together & then use it as a master to make your own out of fiberglas... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikuzzi Posted February 21, 2009 Author Share Posted February 21, 2009 Thank all for your input. I must admit I hadn't thought of a carbon fibre replacement. I'll go down the two-pack repair route and, if that turns out as my usual unsightly bodge repair, I'll probably go CF. Gstallons - thanks for your offer. Great site this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docc Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I think I've repaired every panel on my 2000 Sport; some with fiberglass and some with epoxy (2-part) and perforated fiberboard. Honestly, I can't remember what I used to reinforce the starter cover - fiberglass, I think. Whichever, don't expect to just stick the edges together. Use some sort of 'backing' (glass fibre or perf board) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikuzzi Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Whichever, don't expect to just stick the edges together. Use some sort of 'backing' (glass fibre or perf board) I fixed the cover today and embedded a fine mesh, made of a resonably tough plastic (like flyscreen material) in the epoxy. It forms a band about 20mm wide along the length of the repair. The back looks pretty rough but seems solid. On the outside if you look for it you can see a fine hairline. I won't look for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
belfastguzzi Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 3M could have the answer for plastic repairs 3M™ Automix™ plastic repair products 3M range of simple-to-use plastic repair products Automix Superfast Plastic Adhesive: • Simple to use two-pack product. • Cures in just 20 seconds. • Can be sanded, cut or drilled in 5 minutes. • Used with Contour Sheet can be shaped and formed to build tabs. Flexible Parts Repair Material: • Ideal for minor panel damage. • Can be sanded and repainted after just 20 minutes. Flexible Plastic Repair Patch: • Perfect for holes and cracks, typically in bumpers. • It bonds immediately and ensures alignment of the crack. An Automix Brochure can be downloaded at the above linked page. On the 3M website: Karl Rigarlsford, bodyshop manager of Lotus and Porsche repairer Specialised Paintwork in Reading reports; "we had a broken mounting tag on a rare high-performance Porsche 996 RS", he says; "a new bumper costs around £2,000, but we rebuilt the tag using the new products and were able to drill and refit within an hour – brilliant!" Support for the Automix™ product range also comes from Darren Doubtfire, Bodyshop manager at Octogen Toyota; "when 3M says something’s going to work – then it always does; and these products are no exception. I would say that the Superfast Adhesive is the best of its type on the market – and I’ve used pretty much all of them", says Darren. "The Repair Patch too is a quality product and our attitude to plastic repair has changed dramatically". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzirider Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Another solution- simply ditch the cover- most Guzzis don't have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikuzzi Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Another solution- simply ditch the cover- most Guzzis don't have one. Eh?? You’re saying that a naked starter motor will still crank the bike! - That I’ve permanently epoxy’ed two fingers of my left hand together for nothing? bugger. . . . In fact, my wife suggested throwing it out as soon as it broke but, she rides a BMW, so I thought ‘what does she know?’ . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guzzirider Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Eh?? You’re saying that a naked starter motor will still crank the bike! - That I’ve permanently epoxy’ed two fingers of my left hand together for nothing? bugger. . . . In fact, my wife suggested throwing it out as soon as it broke but, she rides a BMW, so I thought ‘what does she know?’ . . . . Sure! Its not a waterproof cover is it?! My V11 starter has not had a cover on for ages. Just think- it will be even lighter than having an expensive carbon fibre cover! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 I've had great luck with Plastifix, including fixing the starter cover on my V11. I really don't think epoxy is good idea, the MEK products like Plasitfix truly bond the parts back into a single piece, epoxy doesn't. More info here: http://www.urethanesupply.com/ JMHO, Lex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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