(Ive posted this in the F2 section but im going to post here as well hoping somebody with a different bike may be able to help............)


Well, went for a ride today up around Canyon Lake. Been there several times(good, fun ride) but this time I hit a small patch of unseen sand and dumped it. No mechanical damage, just cosmetics and pride. I as well am unhurt aside from a few scratches where gravel got between my glove and the sleeve of my jacket on my right wrist.

Completely dismantled the bike when i got home to asses and try to temporarily repair the plastics till i have the funds to replace. doing so brought up a few questions i need help with:

1) Stripped fairing bolt: the fairing bolt on the left side of the bike just above the "honda" logo is stripped out. what would be the easiest way to remove as all the hex-key wrenches i have cant get it to release.

2) I have decided to do a rattlecan paintjob to the bike untill i can afford to do a proper paintjob. Have started removing all of the graphic stickers with an x-acto knife and a heat gun. comes up fairly easy but the adhesive is a pain in the @$$ to get off. anyone that has previously painted thier bike have any advice/tricks/products for removing this cleanly???

3) Fairing Prices: Havent really gotten to enthusiastic about looking for replacement plastics yet because ive been laid off for several months and trying not to tease myself about getting new parts. But when i am ready, what would be a fair/average price for the fairings in a decent shape.


I appreciate any insight in advance.

Thanks,

-sparks-

 

Sorry to hear about your spill and glad your okay.

I have looked on ebay for fairings both new and used. New fairings run about 250-350 bucks but shipping is about 230. If the damage isnt to bad just repair it and paint it yourself. I bought a paint gun from an auto store for 50 bucks and a compressor for 140 bucks from home depot! Im no pro but damn does it look good. Give it a try! If your good at it then it becomes another skill and skills make $$$. Good luck

 

For the stripped bolt try using something like this: http://www.google.com/products?q=grabbit+screw&aq=f

I am not sure how big the head is so you might have to get a bigger kit accordingly. My wife got me a 4 pc kit last year and it is pretty awesome. It works for a lot of stuff. In the case of the screws on the rotors of my car, it worked for some but not all of them. They were just rusted in tight. Heat and PB made no difference. You might just have to drill it out. You might get lucky like I did and when you drill it out if you get the right size bit you will actually get the bolt to come out cleanly and you'll just need a replacement.

Try Goo Gone or gasoline / turpentine for the adhesive residue. Should take it off. I would definitely clean it with mild soap and water after though. That stuff usually isn't good for paint (won't matter if you are painting it over though).

Fixing the plastics is a better route. Aftermarket ones never fit quite right so if yours are savable, save them! +1 on the paint gun btw.

 

Drill the head off the fairing screw. They're aluminium and soft as butter. Drill right through the bolt and then re-tap. Take your time and you'll end up with the original thread.
Toluene is the ultimate remover of all things sticky but be bloody carfull if you can hold of this stuff. One teaspoonful and a whiff of ignition will put you and your house in orbit.
Alternatively try Evostick remover. Great stuff.