Like so many, I have a 1990 with a broken trunk pocket latch. I have a spare trunk pocket where the latch is fine but the color is off due to fading.
I'd like to just move the latch only to the pocket that is on the motorcycle, is there a trick to moving it without breaking it? It seems quite captive. I'm sure when the plastic was new it was more flexible allowing them to just snap it in there at the factory but now after 30 years if I try forcing it, the plastic is more brittle and likely to break. Just wondering if anyone knows a trick or has any guidance?
Thanks so much!
Trunk Pocket Latch, is there a trick or technique?
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Rambozo
- Posts: 2499
- Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 8:36 pm
- Location: Disneyland
- Motorcycle: 1992 GL1500 Aspencade
Ducati Monster
Re: Trunk Pocket Latch, is there a trick or technique?
Maybe put it out in the sun or use a heatgun to help soften things up.
Re: Trunk Pocket Latch, is there a trick or technique?
Great suggestion!
I had thought of that but looking into it, ABS plastic seems to keep most it's strength until just before it doesn't and then it melts completely at just a little higher temperature so I suppose one needs to be very careful with that approach.
If I had a controlled temperature hot air setup used for circuit board soldering and rework and knew what to dial in (which is dependent on the exact composition used) I'd be in good shape but all I have at the moment is an awkward heat gun, albeit quite useful for heat shrink, etc. but kind of crude for what I really need to do.
Of course I'll end up trying this in the absence of some other magic.