I read in previous threads about using zip ties as a safety so you won't lose your side covers. Drilling was mentioned. Do you a drill right thru the side cover or maybe just thru the base of the tab post? Also, how do you get your side covers off. is it necessary to cut the zip tie each time?
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Zip Tie Side Covers
- Thread starter 1948man
- Start date
Steve
GS Whisperer
The ones that I have seen had holes drilled at the bottom of the cover, where it was least seen.
One alternative (and a rather radical one, at that) is to spend a few bucks to replace the hard rubber grommets that no longer grip the studs on the cover.
And yes, you do have to clip and replace the zip-ties every time you remove the covers.
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One alternative (and a rather radical one, at that) is to spend a few bucks to replace the hard rubber grommets that no longer grip the studs on the cover.
And yes, you do have to clip and replace the zip-ties every time you remove the covers.
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Steve
GS Whisperer
I guess the value of the "insurance" would depend on your value of aesthetics. :-k
With the new grommets, the panels are not going to fly off. I replaced the grommets on my wife's bike 6 or 7 years ago, which was about 25,000 miles ago. I still have to give them a healty tug to remove them, there is no way they are going to come off accidentally.
I have never considered zip-ties for any of my bikes, but they have all had all the tabs on the covers. The only covers that were damaged were on my son's 650L. There is a slot in the rear edge that slides over a tab on the frame, then pop the two tabs on the front into grommets. The slots were broken, I made a loop from a piece of coat hanger wire and epoxied it to the inside of the cover to slide over the frame tab. So far, it's still working fine.
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Steve
GS Whisperer
Can you spot my zip ties? They are there.
That is certainly better than most I have seen.
... but effective.
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If that was the only measure then what about duct tape?
The bike came this way when I bought it and I have not fixed the groments yet (I'm thinking about painting the bike this winter and fixing them then). I have to put new zip ties on everytime I need to take the covers off, like washing the bike. I need to buy some stock in zip ties.
If anyone is interested I will post pics of the way the holes have been put in the covers. Pretty smart way actually. You would never know.
B
BluePlateSpecial
Guest
If you don't want to drill holes you might be able to epoxy a zip tie holder to the back of the cover. That's what I would do.
I replaced the grommets on my 82 1100E and ended up breaking off one of the posts. I think the tighter fit on the new grommets put additional stress on plastic that was slightly embrittled from age.
When I get it back on the road I wll have some zip ties as backup. The 82-83 1100Es have the advantage of a shape that makes it easier to put the zip ties out of site, as you can see from Trevor's bike.
When I get it back on the road I wll have some zip ties as backup. The 82-83 1100Es have the advantage of a shape that makes it easier to put the zip ties out of site, as you can see from Trevor's bike.
The bike came this way when I bought it and I have not fixed the groments yet (I'm thinking about painting the bike this winter and fixing them then). I have to put new zip ties on everytime I need to take the covers off, like washing the bike. I need to buy some stock in zip ties.
If anyone is interested I will post pics of the way the holes have been put in the covers. Pretty smart way actually. You would never know.
This is a permanent solution and works well.
http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160547&highlight=tab+repair
Rare Earth Magnets
Rare Earth Magnets
I have seen a members bike (BCCAP's) with 5/8" diameter rare earth magnets to fix the side covers on.
He removed the grommet and epoxied one magnet onto the frame tab, and epoxied the other magnet to the cover in place of the broken post and they hold on very well.
Cheap and effective and easy to remove and reinstall the covers.
Rare Earth Magnets
I have seen a members bike (BCCAP's) with 5/8" diameter rare earth magnets to fix the side covers on.
He removed the grommet and epoxied one magnet onto the frame tab, and epoxied the other magnet to the cover in place of the broken post and they hold on very well.
Cheap and effective and easy to remove and reinstall the covers.
Cool idea.
One of my 850s and one of my 100Gs has a broken upper rear post I drilled a hole in the side of it and wrap it around the frame tube. Ican pop off the front and lower peg and open the cover without cutting anything. That said, zip ties and tie wire have long been things I carry. I've taped cable ties under the seat for years on bikes without storage.
On one of my 1000G, the PO fabricated and installed a steel replacement post which works OK. He ground up a bolt to suit and epoxied it to the cover. I think I've put a cable tie on it as well.
I think people break the left cover by getting their knee into it when they try to put it on the center stand incorrectly.
Thanks for the reminder. I forgot BCCap had done that. I need to have everyone over to share stories and tricks.
The 550ESD came with an assortment of cable ties holding the fairing and side covers on. What a PITA getting to the motor/battery/anything else with those on there.
Picked up a bunch white, sheet ABS to start the moulding process to replace the tabs, but the rare earth magnet idea is elegant.
Just be careful you don't buy too powerful a magnet. Ask me how I know ?
Ok, how do you know?
Just be careful you don't buy too powerful a magnet. Ask me how I know ?
If the magnets are too strong, which most rare earth magnets are, you can epoxy a piece of hard plastic or inner tube to create a gap between the two magnets. this will allow them to be removed without breaking the cover.
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