Cracked Plastic

[Guest bmiller63]

Greetings,

 

I'm new to the site but a long time rider. While in Indiana I acquired a well worn 84 Gen 1 VR. Early in it's life it was obviously owned by a very consciences owner as it has some of the updates already done (i.e. zerk fittings in the rear linkage, etc). It had obviously fallen on both sides several times over it's live and had multiple cracks in the plastic. I had read several years ago of people using ABS cement to repair the cracks so I figured I'd give it try. To my surprise it works REALLY well! Just spread the crack, dab a little of the cement in the crack and hold the crack together till it dries.

 

You an also use this stuff to create new mounting tabs if they get broken. If any one is interested I'll post pictures later.

 

Hope this helps someone...

 

 

Bill

[Eck]

Pictures are always welcome and if accompainied by supporting written instructions (as in a tech article), would be helpful when placed in the tech section for future reference and use by others.

:thumbsup2:

[Wizard765]

Are you talking about using ABS cement that you can buy at any hardware store? By itself or with ground up peices of ABS. I cannot picture making tabs with just the cement. Pictures and description would be very welcome.

 

Wayne

[Guest bmiller63]

The cement is the stuff you buy at Lowes/Home Depot or your local hardware store. It comes in a small metal can. The screw on lid has a built in applicator. It is used for gluing ABS pipe together. The cement is thick black goo about the consistency of honey. A word of caution, I know it works on my Gen 1 fairing but can NOT speak for the later stuff so consider yourselves warned. Also only use it on the INSIDE of the part as it appears to melt the parts together and takes very little cement to work (not very pretty to look at but strong bond when dried).

Tabs are made from scrap pieces of ABS plastic. I used an old upper fairing cover that was too badly damaged to repair and cut pieces to fit as needed.

I'll post some pictures tonight with more detailed instructions. It will make more sense once you see it...

Cheers,

Bill

[Guest bmiller63]

Greetings,

Below are instructions and the pictures I promised.

 

For cracks, spread the crack and apply cement to the crack. Hold the crack tightly together till the cement sets up, usually setups within a couple of minutes. I like to apply a small piece of material as a backer to reinforce the crack, but may not be needed.

 

To repair a broken tab, sand the mating surface flat. Cut a scrap piece of ABS the approximate size of the tab and ensure the two pieces line up correctly. Bond the two parts together with the ABS cement, it doesn't take much. Once the cement has dried, cut a second piece to act as a backer to reinforce the but joint. Make sure you cement the backer to the side that will not offset the part. Drill the mounting hole as needed, paint as desired and install.

 

 

Step back and enjoy your repaired mounting tab.

 

Cheers,

Bill