Repair or replace?
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- speedy04
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:42 pm
- Location: milwauke, wi
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100a Aspencade
1983 V45 Magna
Repair or replace?
So I need some advice. This past weekend (08/05) on my way home from a vacation I had the rear wheel blow out on me at freeway speeds. I am ok besides some road rash on my right arm. The bike on the other hand took most of the damage as I ended up having the back end kick out on me and land on the right side. After just a quick look over of the bike most of the damage seems to be cosmetic, but wont know until I get her home and tear into her. I have two areas of damage that I have to repair. The right side of the fairing seems to have taken the brunt of the damage (see pic). The other is the lid to the trunk. My question is should I try to repair the fairing or am I better off assuming its not repairable and to look for a used one? I could probably repair the trunk lid but also no sure about it. Opinions or suggestions are welcome, unless they are to sell the bike. That is not really an option since it is part of the family. I am the second owner, the first was my uncle. Thanks in advance
- Aussie81Interstate
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Thu Nov 27, 2014 2:34 am
- Location: Penrith Australia
- Motorcycle: 2001 GL1500F6C Valkyrie
1982 CX500 Turbo (Historic registration - finally)
1981 GL1100 Interstate (sold)
1988 GL1500 (sold)
Re: Repair or replace?
I hope you are OK, that's the main thing.
Overall I think you should be able to repair the damage - looks like you need to replace a chunk of fairing in the front and the section of the rear box as well.
The rear looks like you have the section but it is just bent out of shape on the right arm rest.
IF you are good at plastic welding or some light fibreglass work I would do that - but then you need to get it painted again too.
When you get the bike back - I would make sure the forks are straight and not twisted etc..then take it for a slow ride around the block to make sure everything tracks correctly and the frame is not bent - and you are comfortable back on the bike as well.
Cheers
Overall I think you should be able to repair the damage - looks like you need to replace a chunk of fairing in the front and the section of the rear box as well.
The rear looks like you have the section but it is just bent out of shape on the right arm rest.
IF you are good at plastic welding or some light fibreglass work I would do that - but then you need to get it painted again too.
When you get the bike back - I would make sure the forks are straight and not twisted etc..then take it for a slow ride around the block to make sure everything tracks correctly and the frame is not bent - and you are comfortable back on the bike as well.
Cheers
- Wilcoy02
- Posts: 986
- Joined: Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:37 pm
- Location: Marengo, Ohio
- Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 I purchased 3/16
1983 GL1100I frame with an 80 engine. poor boy installed with C-5 ignition--DIED in Grande Prairie Alberta Canada 8/15
98 valkyrie sold 8/16
Re: Repair or replace?
Glad you survived your ordeal.
Do not use fiberglass to fix it. Fiberglass will not stick to the fairing plastic.
Get some black Oatleys plastic pipe cement and black plastic pipe . Shave some pieces off the pipe and mix in some cement to make a slurry solution. If you can not find the Oatleys then use acetone to make the slurry. Put some slurry on the damage, then put some drywall tape on, and cover with the slurry.
Go to e-bay and buy a trunk top. Then you can use the plastic from your damaged lid to make the slurry instead of getting a piece of pipe.
Do not use fiberglass to fix it. Fiberglass will not stick to the fairing plastic.
Get some black Oatleys plastic pipe cement and black plastic pipe . Shave some pieces off the pipe and mix in some cement to make a slurry solution. If you can not find the Oatleys then use acetone to make the slurry. Put some slurry on the damage, then put some drywall tape on, and cover with the slurry.
Go to e-bay and buy a trunk top. Then you can use the plastic from your damaged lid to make the slurry instead of getting a piece of pipe.
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 583
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:20 pm
- Location: Denver, CO
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL-1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
1993 GL-1500 Aspencade (2017-)
1983 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
1972 CL-350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS-550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL-1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: Repair or replace?
I just bought a 12x24 x 3/16 sheet of ABS off Amazon for 12 bucks, that's probably more than enough ABS to last a lifetime. They have sheets of all kinds of sizes and thicknesses. PO Didn't reinforce the trunk lid when adding the luggage rack on the 1500, there's cracks in the lid around the mount points... I should order a small sheet of thin ABS for fixing broken tupperware mount tabs etc...
♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
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- Posts: 94
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 6:56 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Repair or replace?
Personally I wouldn't bother trying to repair that fairing unless it has extreme sentimental value to you. You'll probably find it's now also broken and cracked under the bottom right edge all around the mounting bolts that hold it to the big frame bracket. It's more practical to get a used one with no damage from right here on the forum "parts wanted" section, or also from ebay. Right now there's lots of people making naked Goldwings out of real Goldwings, for some reason, so a replacement fairing is very available at this time. The trunk lid is worth fixing though. Unbolt that bracket and the chunk that's broken away can be clamped back in place and ABS slurry glued back to perfection. I just did a big repair and restoration on my fairing, left side cover, and both lower fairing cowl cover pieces using the ABS slurry trick. It really works great if you do it right.
- speedy04
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 1:42 pm
- Location: milwauke, wi
- Motorcycle: 1982 GL1100a Aspencade
1983 V45 Magna
Re: Repair or replace?
I have been looking on fleebay, but 99% of what i have found so far is cracked more than my fairing is. I have yet to really pull her apart and look at the mounting bolt areas. My budget for a replacement is kinda on the low side so if I can fix it I'd like to, but I guess I have to tear her apart to see what I have. I do have plenty of time as she will be closed down for the rest of the season. The season won't be a total waste for me as I'll pull the '83 Magna out when I can get back to riding. It also gives me an excuse to repaint her.



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- Posts: 150
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:56 pm
- Location: Vista, ca
- Motorcycle: 1985 Goldwing Aspencade (GL1200A
Former bikes;
2000 R1100RT
2005 Suzuki Bandit
1979 Yamaha XS1100
1978 Yamaha XS1100 Special
1990 Yamaha XV250
1980 Yamaha XV750
1979 Honda CB750
1968 Triumph Bonneville T120
1973 Honda CB450
1968 Harley Davidson Sportster
1974 Honda CB750
1968 Honda CL72
Re: Repair or replace?
Any chance a 86 fairing will fit?
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- Posts: 94
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 6:56 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate
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- Posts: 150
- Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:56 pm
- Location: Vista, ca
- Motorcycle: 1985 Goldwing Aspencade (GL1200A
Former bikes;
2000 R1100RT
2005 Suzuki Bandit
1979 Yamaha XS1100
1978 Yamaha XS1100 Special
1990 Yamaha XV250
1980 Yamaha XV750
1979 Honda CB750
1968 Triumph Bonneville T120
1973 Honda CB450
1968 Harley Davidson Sportster
1974 Honda CB750
1968 Honda CL72
Re: Repair or replace?
They look really similar...
I know the headlight is different and the gauges are different but just thinking.
I know the headlight is different and the gauges are different but just thinking.