Motorcycle owners step in.

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Probably more like a grand at least. You can't repair those fairings for the most part, you have to replace them and they aren't cheap.

Not true at all. They are not hard to fix at all if you have some talent, patience, and experiment a bit. I rebuilt a 1985 Ninja 600 about 20 years ago. The fairings were all cracked and scraped up and some had holes in them. I was told they could not be fixed and the stickers were too expensive. I had the stickers made at a local sign company after tracing a good bike. I fixed the fairings and repainted the whole bike in a better color scheme. When I took it up to the Kawasaki dealer the guy stood there flabbergasted....and wanted me to paint bikes for him.

They are even easier to repair today as technology has come a long way and there are all kinds of products for bonding and filling all different kinds of plastic. I have a friend who owns a auto body shop who makes a large part of his income refurbishing plastic golf cart bodies to a gentleman who makes customs out of them.

I said for the most part. Sure YOU may be able to make them look good but those parts flex quite a bit and they'll never be as strong as they were before the damage, especially if they are cracked. Oh, and do you do this work for free? Because making tracings and decals isn't free and neither is plastic repair/repainting.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Probably more like a grand at least. You can't repair those fairings for the most part, you have to replace them and they aren't cheap.

Not true at all. They are not hard to fix at all if you have some talent, patience, and experiment a bit. I rebuilt a 1985 Ninja 600 about 20 years ago. The fairings were all cracked and scraped up and some had holes in them. I was told they could not be fixed and the stickers were too expensive. I had the stickers made at a local sign company after tracing a good bike. I fixed the fairings and repainted the whole bike in a better color scheme. When I took it up to the Kawasaki dealer the guy stood there flabbergasted....and wanted me to paint bikes for him.

They are even easier to repair today as technology has come a long way and there are all kinds of products for bonding and filling all different kinds of plastic. I have a friend who owns a auto body shop who makes a large part of his income refurbishing plastic golf cart bodies to a gentleman who makes customs out of them.

I said for the most part. Sure YOU may be able to make them look good but those parts flex quite a bit and they'll never be as strong as they were before the damage, especially if they are cracked. Oh, and do you do this work for free? Because making tracings and decals isn't free and neither is plastic repair/repainting.

Actually I did do it for free. It was a friend, I was out of school that summer and needed a project and I wanted to do some experimenting with different paint techniques. With the proper bonding agents the plastic is just as strong also. It is no different than welding metal. You are not patching something you are melting two pieces together. Those panels never did crack again. I even painted my helmet with the leftover paint from that project and it still looks good 20 years later.

These days the repairs are even easier to make. You can patch a fairing and paint blend the area or paint the entire area that is that color and then clear the whole panel rather quickly.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Actually I did do it for free. It was a friend, I was out of school that summer and needed a project and I wanted to do some experimenting with different paint techniques. With the proper bonding agents the plastic is just as strong also. It is no different than welding metal. You are not patching something you are melting two pieces together. Those panels never did crack again. I even painted my helmet with the leftover paint from that project and it still looks good 20 years later.

These days the repairs are even easier to make. You can patch a fairing and paint blend the area or paint the entire area that is that color and then clear the whole panel rather quickly.

I'll be sure to refer all my friends to you for free motorcycle repairs.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Actually I did do it for free. It was a friend, I was out of school that summer and needed a project and I wanted to do some experimenting with different paint techniques. With the proper bonding agents the plastic is just as strong also. It is no different than welding metal. You are not patching something you are melting two pieces together. Those panels never did crack again. I even painted my helmet with the leftover paint from that project and it still looks good 20 years later.

These days the repairs are even easier to make. You can patch a fairing and paint blend the area or paint the entire area that is that color and then clear the whole panel rather quickly.

I'll be sure to refer all my friends to you for free motorcycle repairs.

I think the 1500 mile drive from SoCal to here would be problem.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Actually I did do it for free. It was a friend, I was out of school that summer and needed a project and I wanted to do some experimenting with different paint techniques. With the proper bonding agents the plastic is just as strong also. It is no different than welding metal. You are not patching something you are melting two pieces together. Those panels never did crack again. I even painted my helmet with the leftover paint from that project and it still looks good 20 years later.

These days the repairs are even easier to make. You can patch a fairing and paint blend the area or paint the entire area that is that color and then clear the whole panel rather quickly.

I'll be sure to refer all my friends to you for free motorcycle repairs.

I think the 1500 mile drive from SoCal to here would be problem.

Ya think?

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ronstang

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Ronstang
Actually I did do it for free. It was a friend, I was out of school that summer and needed a project and I wanted to do some experimenting with different paint techniques. With the proper bonding agents the plastic is just as strong also. It is no different than welding metal. You are not patching something you are melting two pieces together. Those panels never did crack again. I even painted my helmet with the leftover paint from that project and it still looks good 20 years later.

These days the repairs are even easier to make. You can patch a fairing and paint blend the area or paint the entire area that is that color and then clear the whole panel rather quickly.

I'll be sure to refer all my friends to you for free motorcycle repairs.

I think the 1500 mile drive from SoCal to here would be problem.

Ya think?

They can just mail the fairings....how about that?

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

race fairings are usually cheaper

 

[cKGunslinger]

I'm actually looking at 250s for my first bike, maybe a 500 (Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD == sexy starter bike) depending on how they feel. But, I am a small fella (5'8" - 150lbs.)

I can't imagine starting out with a 1000cc to be a good idea.

This is a decent article, and probably holds true for 500cc bikes, as well.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I've got some questions. I'm interested in getting a bike, but not really a huge fan of the sport-type bikes, or the big harleys.

Triumph still makes bikes, I really like the Bonneville and the Speedmaster (saw one in person the other day and really liked it).

Are these decent bikes?

Triumph makes outstanding bikes!!! I have never seen a bad review of their retro-classics. They are all modern designs with retro styling.

Also take a look at the Street Triple. It is more of a sport standard, is equipped with a 675cc Triple, and is getting stellar reviews and feedback.

My next bike will be a Speed Triple. It will be my 7th bike in 20 years, and the first over 750cc.

 

[MiataNC]

Originally posted by: cKGunslinger
I'm actually looking at 250s for my first bike, maybe a 500 (Kawasaki Vulcan 500 LTD == sexy starter bike) depending on how they feel. But, I am a small fella (5'8" - 150lbs.)

I can't imagine starting out with a 1000cc to be a good idea.

This is a decent article, and probably holds true for 500cc bikes, as well.

The only real option in 250cc is the Ninja. No offense to the other 250s out there, but compared to the wee Ninja they are really anemic and offer a lot less value for the asking price. (new or used)

 

[osage]

I would agree with that. the Kawa 250R new or used is prob THE best starter bike on the market currently.

great gas mailage, upright riding position, good power, very reliable. hard to beat

 

[halik]

Buy the R6! Or better yet buy an R1! (need forks)

Let me know when you wipe out, I need more parts for my R6 Raven that an idiot bought back in 2005. Then he wrecked and lost and ear. Then I bought it for $700.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: halik
Buy the R6! Or better yet buy an R1! (need forks)

Let me know when you wipe out, I need more parts for my R6 Raven that an idiot bought back in 2005. Then he wrecked and lost and ear. Then I bought it for $700.

Front forks are on of the most commonly damaged components in a bad wipeout.

 

[lghost]

I didn't see you list how big you actually are, but I am happily riding a SV650 at 6' 5" and 220#. Frequently my wife goes two-up with me, and other than butts going to sleep the bike laughs it off. I rode dirtbikes for years, then an old CX500 for 5 years before I got the SV, and I feel comfortable saying it is 'enough' bike to spend a few years on. Cheap, reliable, sexy, great community (hello SVRiders.com!), L-Twin sound > 4 pots any day of the week, torque curve that should embarass all the 600 Supersports, etc...

I'd bet it pleases you enough that when you decide on a bigger bike a year or three down the road (if you must) the SV1000 makes your shortlist.

 

[lghost]

Oh, and since not many are saying it, kudos on taking the classes! Go to newenough and hit the closeouts and you won't need to spend 1K on gear, 4-500 should hook you up if you aren't too picky about colors/styles.