Bone Head Move!
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 551
Likes: 0
From: Texas
So there I was, music playing away, coffee in hand and all set for a little relaxing garage time. First item on the agenda, Pull the outer fairing. So I removed all the screws etc as done many times before and had it holding by the final middle windshield screw. I then went to put the ratchet down so I wouldn't drop it on the bike. I also had the front fender covered with a towel. Well, apparently the resistance I felt on the screw was just the rubber washer behind the windshield instead of it actually holding up the fairing. I walked accross the garage to put the ratchet on the bench and all of a sudden the fairing suddenly came crashing down on the fender then pulled the light connector out and the whole thing hit the jack and the floor. To make matters worse as I dove for it I hit the jack handle in the middleof my crotch and fell into a shelf. Everything on the shelf fell onto the fairing and then my 220 lbs fell into it as well, knee first! So needless to say, I need to do some repair and replacement work. Those fairing are sure strong but I'm not sure what kind of hidden damage from all of the weight and things falling on it may have ocurred? There are spider cracks in the paint on one lower corner and some gouges on the same corner? How can I tell if it just needs repaint or if there is actually an integrity issue with the fairing now? The fairing obviously is not metal so it is not powdered coated clear like the metal Harley pieces but it was such a nice paint job on it. I'm better this morning, but I was fit to be tied yesterday! I don't know what the fairing and fender replacement will cost from Harley. I'm also getting a cost estimate to repair the fairing. I'm going to replace the fender. Anybody have any idea if that front fender can be squeeked out of there without having to pull the wheel and calipers? Thanks..Rick
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
My Brother
I can go one better than that.
The day before I left for a gathering of my riding group in Maggie Valley, NC, I was going over the bike and decided to check the exhaust bolts. I was on the right side of the bike tightening the bolt where the crossover connects to the head pipe, the wrench slipped, and I knocked myself unconscious falling forward into the saddlebag crash bar.
Walked into the house with my hand over my left eye and asked my wife how bad it was. Let's just say I have a nice scar there, and my head hurt like hell during the ride the next day.
The day before I left for a gathering of my riding group in Maggie Valley, NC, I was going over the bike and decided to check the exhaust bolts. I was on the right side of the bike tightening the bolt where the crossover connects to the head pipe, the wrench slipped, and I knocked myself unconscious falling forward into the saddlebag crash bar.
Walked into the house with my hand over my left eye and asked my wife how bad it was. Let's just say I have a nice scar there, and my head hurt like hell during the ride the next day.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
So there I was, music playing away, coffee in hand and all set for a little relaxing garage time. First item on the agenda, Pull the outer fairing. So I removed all the screws etc as done many times before and had it holding by the final middle windshield screw. I then went to put the ratchet down so I wouldn't drop it on the bike. I also had the front fender covered with a towel. Well, apparently the resistance I felt on the screw was just the rubber washer behind the windshield instead of it actually holding up the fairing. I walked accross the garage to put the ratchet on the bench and all of a sudden the fairing suddenly came crashing down on the fender then pulled the light connector out and the whole thing hit the jack and the floor. To make matters worse as I dove for it I hit the jack handle in the middleof my crotch and fell into a shelf. Everything on the shelf fell onto the fairing and then my 220 lbs fell into it as well, knee first! So needless to say, I need to do some repair and replacement work. Those fairing are sure strong but I'm not sure what kind of hidden damage from all of the weight and things falling on it may have ocurred? There are spider cracks in the paint on one lower corner and some gouges on the same corner? How can I tell if it just needs repaint or if there is actually an integrity issue with the fairing now? The fairing obviously is not metal so it is not powdered coated clear like the metal Harley pieces but it was such a nice paint job on it. I'm better this morning, but I was fit to be tied yesterday! I don't know what the fairing and fender replacement will cost from Harley. I'm also getting a cost estimate to repair the fairing. I'm going to replace the fender. Anybody have any idea if that front fender can be squeeked out of there without having to pull the wheel and calipers? Thanks..Rick
That's pretty funny. I've done the same thing, not quite as comical as your experience. Good luck with the repairs.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 3
From: Cheltenham, UK
I have just returned from a factory in Finland - the company is called Junkkari
I was out there helping our client commission and optimise a big press they built for Junkkari - we did the hydraulics on the machine.
This company specialises in moulding the plastic parts used on tractors, catapillars etc - eg fenders, cab parts, mudguards
Funny enough, it got me thinking about the inner and outer fairing on my bike as this is clearly the same process that is used to make this parts.
The main thing I learnt whilst I was out there was just how incredibly tough and durable this material is, and it is really good for painting which is why it has become so popular.
Anyway, all I can say from my experience out there, and assuming it is the same material which I am positive it is, I would have ZERO concerns about material damage
I was out there helping our client commission and optimise a big press they built for Junkkari - we did the hydraulics on the machine.
This company specialises in moulding the plastic parts used on tractors, catapillars etc - eg fenders, cab parts, mudguards
Funny enough, it got me thinking about the inner and outer fairing on my bike as this is clearly the same process that is used to make this parts.
The main thing I learnt whilst I was out there was just how incredibly tough and durable this material is, and it is really good for painting which is why it has become so popular.
Anyway, all I can say from my experience out there, and assuming it is the same material which I am positive it is, I would have ZERO concerns about material damage
Thread Starter
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Supporter
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,419
Likes: 90
From: Vermont
You are of the same opinion as Pat at Kustom Flames. He's going to take out the two shallow gouges and repaint it for me. Pat does real nice work. I know it will come back better than new!
I have just returned from a factory in Finland - the company is called Junkkari
I was out there helping our client commission and optimise a big press they built for Junkkari - we did the hydraulics on the machine.
This company specialises in moulding the plastic parts used on tractors, catapillars etc - eg fenders, cab parts, mudguards
Funny enough, it got me thinking about the inner and outer fairing on my bike as this is clearly the same process that is used to make this parts.
The main thing I learnt whilst I was out there was just how incredibly tough and durable this material is, and it is really good for painting which is why it has become so popular.
Anyway, all I can say from my experience out there, and assuming it is the same material which I am positive it is, I would have ZERO concerns about material damage
I was out there helping our client commission and optimise a big press they built for Junkkari - we did the hydraulics on the machine.
This company specialises in moulding the plastic parts used on tractors, catapillars etc - eg fenders, cab parts, mudguards
Funny enough, it got me thinking about the inner and outer fairing on my bike as this is clearly the same process that is used to make this parts.
The main thing I learnt whilst I was out there was just how incredibly tough and durable this material is, and it is really good for painting which is why it has become so popular.
Anyway, all I can say from my experience out there, and assuming it is the same material which I am positive it is, I would have ZERO concerns about material damage
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