Fairing Help!!!fiberglass vs abs plastic
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 56
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From: INDIANA
Fairing Help!!!fiberglass vs abs plastic
Lookingfor an aftermarket fairing and need some help. Found one from wide open custom plastics,
question, is plastic as good as fiberglass. and would you buy one bare and put your own system in it.
http://WIDEOPENCUSTOM.COM just need help dont want to spend $1100.00 on a fairing,paint and a radio,just to find out plastic sucks..
question, is plastic as good as fiberglass. and would you buy one bare and put your own system in it.
http://WIDEOPENCUSTOM.COM just need help dont want to spend $1100.00 on a fairing,paint and a radio,just to find out plastic sucks..
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 226
RE: Fairing Help!!!fiberglass vs abs plastic
The outer fairing shell on all 'glides is plastic from the factory along with the side panels and the Hard Bags... So it definitly works as a material to use or else the factory would be using 'glass.
Aftermarket Fiberglass fairings are typically heavier than the OEM plastic and there are different methods of building glass fairings that make some stronger than others. As far as buying an aftermarketbare plastic one and putting your own tunes in it, I was able to easily do it with the old OEM plastic inner and outer fairing, do all the repairs and get it all painted, so it would not be a show stopper to me just because it was plastic.
Aftermarket Fiberglass fairings are typically heavier than the OEM plastic and there are different methods of building glass fairings that make some stronger than others. As far as buying an aftermarketbare plastic one and putting your own tunes in it, I was able to easily do it with the old OEM plastic inner and outer fairing, do all the repairs and get it all painted, so it would not be a show stopper to me just because it was plastic.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Knoxville TN
My personal 2 cents is that I will always buy a quality fiberglass piece over ABS plastic. The key being a quality made fairing. I have used two different fairings and have good success. The latest one is from Recklessmotorcycles.com It is a very well made product. The main reason I will buy fiberglass is simply because you can repair it and you cannot repair the ABS. Hope that helps you!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
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From: KMHT KFMY
the post above me nailed it, if you ever need to repair a crack, deep scratch, etc, it is easier to repair fiberglass than ABS, not that it can't be fixed, it can, but very few people know how to do it.
HD has been making stuff out of ABS for well over a decade now, it is easier for them to do injection molding than laying out glass and gel coating/painting
it is not a bad material, I have been working with it for 40 years now, but you are not fixing it without solvent, heat
or ultrasonic welding
HD has been making stuff out of ABS for well over a decade now, it is easier for them to do injection molding than laying out glass and gel coating/painting
it is not a bad material, I have been working with it for 40 years now, but you are not fixing it without solvent, heat
or ultrasonic welding
Last edited by Neggy ZRXOA 5248; Jul 7, 2015 at 10:10 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 10
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From: Chicago
revelator2 and Neggy ZRXOA - thanks for the feedback. I checked out Reckless Motorcycles on the fairings for my ride. Unfortunately the '93 FLHS has the "breadbox" instrument cluster which makes it difficult to retro fit. Also trying to find an FLHT fairing from the mid to late 80's, as that would also work. If you hear of anything drop me a line. Thanks
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 122
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From: Virginia
I really do not have an opinion one way or the other. However, I have a http://woodysfairings.com/ and I cannot be more satisfied with the end product or customer service, which is made out of fiberglass. Glenn is a great guy to work with!
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6th Gear
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 473
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From: New Braunfels TX
I damaged my original fairing, and I thought the OEM's were too much. I found one on Amazon that advertises Fiberglass reinforced ABS. Cost about $200.00 and was in vivid black same as my bike.
Since getting it I had it wrapped, replaced the brass inserts from Harley with the screw in type and installed speakers and amp, after changing my handle bars then the fairing. Fit like OEM, has held up very well, and no gaps, or squeaks and can't tell the difference.
Since getting it I had it wrapped, replaced the brass inserts from Harley with the screw in type and installed speakers and amp, after changing my handle bars then the fairing. Fit like OEM, has held up very well, and no gaps, or squeaks and can't tell the difference.
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