Body panels questions

[Cybermunster]

Good evening friends!

Need some help with the following;

1. Any place I can buy the right hand side fairing for my '92 907? (preferably new)
Any aftermarket or "secret" suppliers?
2. I have two fairly large bubbles (look like air bubbles) around the gas tank door. I checked inside the tank and
around the door areas and there doesn't seem to be evidence of rust.
I think the only way to fix this would be to repaint the tank, any other ideas, suggestions or advice?

Pics of the "bubbles" >> http://s122.photobucket.com/albums/o272 ... 2006Feb09/



Thanks!!

[227708]

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/euroz/d2paso.htm

These guys advertise new 907ie panels, the side is priced around $200.00. I can't attest to their quality but the web site has some pix of what look like nice work. They're located in Vista, Ca, and list a significant number of bikes for which they make replacement parts. Standard disclaimer: I don't work for Airtech, don't know anyone who works there, don't receive any kickback from them and have never been a doctor or a lawyer nor have I played the part of a doctor or lawyer on TV.

[Laddie907]

the paint issue is tricky...obviously there is something bubbling the paint - possibly permeation from fuel spills?
depending on how fussy you need the repair (and we all want perfection) I'd leave it to experts, but it should touch & feather OK. Colour match and cutting will be critical...

my understanding with Airtech panels is that the outer appearance is matched BUT that any inner profiling is not - basically that the piece is sprayed into a one-sided pattern.
this shouldn't matter too much on the side panels...and $200 is not too bad for a price...

[Cybermunster]

Thanks for the site on the panels and info, much appreciated.

I believe the bubbles are the result of overfilling the tank, some fuel seepage under the paint, can't blame no-one except myself
It's really a dilemma as the paint is original and in pretty good shape except for the damned bubbles, hate to end up messing the entire bike trying to fix something minor, still, as we all know where does the eye go as soon as I'm near the bike? to the bubbles of course...8]

Also the issue of getting the correct paint and primer, the hassle of getting a reputable painter ...ah, decisions, decisions

Anyway thanks again for your insights!

[persempre907]

Another issue with Airtech: all the panels are sold without any hole for the bolts, so you have to drill the panels by yourself matching the holes on the tank and the side fairings.
For the air bubble... First, I'd try to touch the paint...
Good luck .
Ciao

[Cybermunster]

+1 on the hole drilling, probably easy if you have the proper tools, steady hands and "courage" though, risky nevertheless.
I assume when you say "touch the paint" you mean touch-up or spot repair, correct?

Thanks ..

[samandkimberly]

+1 on the hole drilling, probably easy if you have the proper tools, steady hands and "courage" though, risky nevertheless.
I assume when you say "touch the paint" you mean touch-up or spot repair, correct?:

I've installed a few race fairings over the years - Airtech, and a few others. Airtech is one of the more reliable ones, but I hear that they now have two levels of quality. It would be wise to have a conversation with them first, and ask them is there's a premium grade, and what it costs. Regardless, they will be much lighter than the standard panels and they won't do as good a job of reducing mechanical noise.

Drilling the holes is harder than it sounds, but not too bad. This may sound obvious, but DO IT BEFORE YOU PAINT! I found the trick was to mount everything you have and mark/drill one part at a time. Fiberglass panels will be thinner, so everything usually doesn't line up right, especially if you're only replacing one standard panel with fiberglass. You can build up the areas where this creates a fit problem with 5 minute epoxy.

All in all, it's a lot of work. That said, I'd guess a complete bodywork changeover could shake 20 lbs off the bike. and look quite nice.

Sam

[Cybermunster]

Sam ...any ideas/thoughts on the paint bubbles? Any "racers" tricks, old wives tales?

[samandkimberly]

2. I have two fairly large bubbles (look like air bubbles) around the gas tank door. I checked inside the tank and
around the door areas and there doesn't seem to be evidence of rust.
I think the only way to fix this would be to repaint the tank, any other ideas, suggestions or advice?

OK -this falls under the "heard someone did this and it worked for them" category: you could try poking a hole in the middle of the bubble, using a syringe to inject thin glue in there, then pushing and holding the bubble down until the glue sets. I do not remember the specific glue used, but it would have to be thin. There are wetting epoxies that would be a good choice, or maybe windshield sealer. If you were to push it down with a piece of Dacron or other synthetic cloth the excess glue would go through the mesh and the cloth wouldn't stick. Fiberglass suppliers sell a cloth specifically for this called "peel ply".

Seems like you could try this with minimal potential for damage. If you do, take your time, and make sure the tank is relatively warm, so the paint is more flexible.

Sam

[Cybermunster]

Wow! I thought about the same technic but didn't know how to go about it ...many thanks Sam!

[persempre907]

I assume when you say "touch the paint" you mean touch-up or spot repair, correct?

Of course, sorry for my English.
Ciao

[Cybermunster]

not a problem persem, just didn't want to miss any possible option you might have been referring to, rgrds! ...

[Laddie907]

if you do the adhesive spot repair you won't have problems with colour matching
you'll need to cut back with about 1200 grit wet&dry
then...
get cornflour (dry) and do the final polish.

RollsRoyce were always cut&polished with cornflour...it blends into micro-scratches and fills.
many paints had cornflour as a constituent.

[samandkimberly]

.
get cornflour (dry) and do the final polish.

Interesting; I'll have to try this.

FWIW - "corn flour" in the UK = "corn starch" in the US. In the US, corn flour usually refers to masa harina - a flour made from corn treated with lime (the mineral, not the fruit). It's what corn tortillas are made of.

Sam

[Cybermunster]

yep, "cornstarch" it is, I remember this trick from my old muscle car days ...8]