Topic: Excellent side covers!

[HondaMan]

I bit the bullet, since mine are in no less than 4 pieces per side, now, and bought a set from these UK guys at eBay:

http://stores.ebay.com/L-P-M-Plastic-Motorcycle-Parts

They are EXCELLENT. The new K2-style covers are exact copies of the originals, right down to the smaller badge size recess. They also are thicker and somewhat flexible, which was their original downfall: laying your leg against the left one while kickstarting the other side would inevitably crack it

One day, you'll see them show up on my K2 resto-mod, an upcoming project.

[Steve F]

WOW!  Where have these guys been all this time?  I could have used a set a while ago.  Looks like quality parts to me.

[goon 1492]

Thos guys have been around for a while, and they're made from polyurathane thats good stuff.

[bryanj]

I've been extoling there virtues for over a year now,

Dont forget to lay on some "Adhesion enhancer" (available in a rettle can here in UK) before the primer and top coats or the paint will peel

Same as for the plastic bumpers on cars

[rbmgf7]

so they do have the pop tabs? not the screw on kind? if so, woo hoo! i guess the price ain't too bad for better replicas.

[PJ]

I should pop for them on my K7 as well, having to have a screw driver to check your oil is just unreasonable.

[ColinMc]

Why oh why did I buy the crappy Maier ones a month ago...didn't even take them out of the package...hmmm, wonder what denniskirks return policy is lol.

[bunghole]

I wish the dollar was stronger.  Oh well.

[HondaMan]

I've been extoling there virtues for over a year now,

Dont forget to lay on some "Adhesion enhancer" (available in a rettle can here in UK) before the primer and top coats or the paint will peel

Same as for the plastic bumpers on cars

Thanks for the tip, BryanJ: what is that stuff? Does it sort of "open up" the smooth poly surface? Can you maybe read a label and tell us what's in it, so I can find something similar? My paint kit is coming in the mail, so excited... 

[HondaMan]

so they do have the pop tabs? not the screw on kind? if so, woo hoo! i guess the price ain't too bad for better replicas.

Yep, the little arrow-looking tabs are just like the original ones!

[fastbroshi]

I've been extoling there virtues for over a year now,

Dont forget to lay on some "Adhesion enhancer" (available in a rettle can here in UK) before the primer and top coats or the paint will peel

Same as for the plastic bumpers on cars

Is this where you got the covers for your 550?  Didn't see any in their store...

[bryanj]

Havent got a tin at present best to ask at a body shop as most bumpers are plastic now and need the stuff,

If you want 550 panels look at 500 same all way from 71-76, dont think he does the 77/78 550K

[Ecosse]

I've heard of these guys so it's good to know they're on the up and up.

But nothing for the 500/550K?!

Fascists!!

[mark]

I've heard of these guys so it's good to know they're on the up and up.

But nothing for the 500/550K?!

Fascists!!

He's got 'em, but they are listed as 500F.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/CB500F-RH-Side-Panel_W0QQitemZ380022421024QQihZ025QQcategoryZ10460QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[gpdesign]

I've been extoling there virtues for over a year now,

Dont forget to lay on some "Adhesion enhancer" (available in a rettle can here in UK) before the primer and top coats or the paint will peel

Same as for the plastic bumpers on cars

Thanks for the tip, BryanJ: what is that stuff? Does it sort of "open up" the smooth poly surface? Can you maybe read a label and tell us what's in it, so I can find something similar? My paint kit is coming in the mail, so excited... 

The special plastic primer is available in a rattle can at most auto paint supply shops in the US. Just ask for plastic bumper adhesion promoter. I have these most excellent side covers and didn't know about this plastic primer at the time I painted them using the Vintagehondapaint.com kit. This was a year and a half ago and so far so good without it, the primer in the kit must stick to the plastic well enough (at least so far!). If I was doing it again I would use the special plastic primer first and the kit primer just to make sure.

[fastbroshi]

  Gpdesign,  while it is true these parts are plastic and DO give, modern flex agents for paint were designed for use with thinner parts.  You know, bumper covers on automobiles and the like.  Those darn things will take a 15 mph hit from another vehicle and a little buff job will make them brand new, as I'm sure we've all seen.  I think these covers would be fine unless you're really resting the weight of the bike on that cover while you kickstart.  But it is great insurance against spiderwebs if something were to nick it.

[LWATCDR]

Now they just need to make them for the K8!

[ColinMc]

Most modern automotive paints have enough of a flex agent built into them, it's the primer that cracks if anything. But as stated above these are more than thick enough where they wouldn't need it. The main thing is prepping them the right way and using a plastic part adhesion promoter, or the paint will flake off. Most plastic adhesion promoters are clear but can be topcoated without any other primer at all.

[Ecosse]

I've heard of these guys so it's good to know they're on the up and up.

But nothing for the 500/550K?!

Fascists!!

He's got 'em, but they are listed as 500F.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/CB500F-RH-Side-Panel_W0QQitemZ380022421024QQihZ025QQcategoryZ10460QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My understanding was that F and K do not interchange.

[fastbroshi]

Most modern automotive paints have enough of a flex agent built into them, it's the primer that cracks if anything. But as stated above these are more than thick enough where they wouldn't need it. The main thing is prepping them the right way and using a plastic part adhesion promoter, or the paint will flake off. Most plastic adhesion promoters are clear but can be topcoated without any other primer at all.

  I disagree Colin,  I don't think they have enough built in.  I worked at a body shop for a bit where we did a lot of insurance work.  Saw a lot of modern Hondas, Toyotas, etc. come in, ie cars that had the types of bumpers and plastic pieces that require these additives.  I got to work on the cars removing panels and such, as well as doing some sanding and prep work before paint.  I literally watched the painter mix in the stuff.  And the whole adhesion thing?  Well anything's going to flake off if you don't prep it first.  Plastic and fiberglass/gelcoat = sand, metal = degrease and clean.

[ColinMc]

Well I guess it depends on what company. I am a Martin-Senour/Sherwin Williams paint and body specialist, and every single one of our paints has a flex additive built into it and adding more flex additive will do more harm than good. I'm not all that familiar with PPG, Dupont or any others though.

[fastbroshi]

  I do have to admit, I was at a privately owned place, but it was a good size that had been open for like 50 years.  But then again, the painter was this old dude that seemed to have a 5 o'clock shadow etched (or maybe he painted it himself?) into his face that smoked a little to close to the booth for my taste.  And it was like 7 years ago, so maybe they changed the formulas a bit since then. 

[ColinMc]

No you are right, i just looked into it...turns out Sherwin/Martin is one of the few companies that uses "pre-flex" technology as they call it.  So really you were right 

[mark]

I've heard of these guys so it's good to know they're on the up and up.

But nothing for the 500/550K?!

Fascists!!

He's got 'em, but they are listed as 500F.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/CB500F-RH-Side-Panel_W0QQitemZ380022421024QQihZ025QQcategoryZ10460QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

My understanding was that F and K do not interchange.

This is correct.

My guess is that seller has an example with the 500Four badge and figured it was an 'F' model - a common misperception.

At any rate, the picture in the listing is of a 'K' sidecover.


Happy trails.

[dusterdude]

Now they just need to make them for the K8!

why?