How hard can it be?

[Guest]

Has anyone experimented with making new body panels for their bike? Trying to think through the process it doesn't seem like it would be that hard to do. Have any of you attempted this? what materials did you use? how was the outcome?

Idea
take original body part and fill out broken tabs/parts with clay.
cast the part
fill cast with pvc pellets or something
profit

I am assuming its not that easy cause someone would be doing it by now. thoughts?

klingon disruptor for reference

[jbthomp]

Not sure how hard it would be. I do know that the side covers for my bike (gs550e) are still available new but they are like 50$ a piece. I'd be your first customer if you could make them cheaper than that! I would think fiberglass would be easier than plastic and a hell of a lot stronger as well.

[detorn]

didn't realize it but they are still made for my bike too. for $130. ouch

[GSX1000E]

I am just absolutely thrilled that soooo many parts ARE still available NEW for these 30 year old bikes. ANY price is cheap versus making your own or repairing broken ones.

[Bustedknuckles]

A mechanical engineer buddy of mine has made some of his own seat pans, cowls, and other various bike and automotive parts out of sheets of fiberglass, epoxy resin, and wood and foam blocks (used to create the shape)

He obviouslly uses other various tools and tricks to make his parts but I know those are the major components. From what he's told me its pretty dang easy and inexpensive. He's wanting to get into carbon fiber...

[BigD_83]

didn't realize it but they are still made for my bike too. for $130. ouch

If you could just make a replacement fuel door for the '83, you'd be in business...

[bonanzadave]

If you could just make a replacement fuel door for the '83, you'd be in business...

Make anything you want....

3D Printing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aghzpO_UZE