front mud flap

Hi guys
This is just an observation having recently broken up two silverwings for spares both scoots have the same problem in that dirt and muck flips up behind the front mudguard runs up the panel in front of the radiator then through into the bottom of the rad and over time blocks up the bottom left side of the rad, the last one i stripped the build up of crap has spread the core of the rad causing a leak,so on my scoot i have now fitted a small mud flap made from some rubber sheet i found and glued with super glue it just deflects the muck under the belly plate its a small mod that could save you a packet and i would strongly suggest you do it before its to late rads are expensive. Oh have a look at the rad whilst your down in that area too

There have been previous posts on this subject . ( use Search.) The one to buy is for a '97 CB500. I have fitted about eight home brewed ones to various machines and have only ever used industrial quality double-sided tape along with some sealant round the edges to prevent ingress of foreign matter between the mating surfaces - these being thoroughly degreased first. Water based is preferable as it makes a neater job with a wipe from a damp cloth.  The benefits of this method are that no drilling is reqd and will detach easily if somehow given a good knock. My preferred donor material is from 1-2mm plastic plant pots from my local hardware store. These can even be colour matched if you shop around.    But "Do they last?" I hear you ask. Well, two have been fitted for over 10000Ks now.

Wow! Great tip and great how-to.

Thanks guys.

Tim

It's not so easy to buy good quality black plastic plant pots as it used to be, so a tip from the push bike community was using sheets cut from a roll of black plastic damp proof course. Very cheap to buy, and very easy to cut and attach.

I've also successfully used the 1-1.5mm plastic supplied as a shape keeper with saddle bags or, in my case, ( punny !) a Px seat pack.

I just installed one on mine, I saw the inner tube post and remembered I had a partial roll of rubber roofing material, that and some Gorilla Glue tape and viola a new to me guard.

siataukreg wrote:

... i have now fitted a small mud flap made from some rubber sheet i found and glued with super glue it just deflects the muck under the belly plate its a small mod that could save you a packet and i would strongly suggest you do it before its to late rads are expensive. Oh have a look at the rad whilst your down in that area too

Cyanoacrylate (superglue) is not suitable for use when exposed to water. It will eventually become loose (unless you can coat/paint over it).

On my DIY mud flap, I used some builder's grey plastic damp proof course and used Evo-stick "Serious Glue". It really is seriously good glue.



It dries flexible and holds well to materials that other glues quickly fail on. I've repaired two cameras with it and often use it for gluing ordinary Velcro to various things as it holds better than the self-adhesive backed Velcro, e.g., I have used it to add extra Velcro holding patches on my bike jacket and the sole of a shoe.

It's a bit pricey, but here's a tip... keep it in a refrigerator. Quite a few modern glues (inc. superglue) keep better in a fridge.

So, I found the plastic pot, cut it to shape and doubled a backing piece because of the small lip at the edge of the fender. The two pieces seem to have bonded well, but I'm having trouble gluing them to the fender. LePage all-purpose is not working on the fender, although it did on the two pieces.
Instead of more trial and error I'd like to hear from anyone who has done this and used products readily available in US or Canada.
Thanks,
Jay.

Clean clean surfaces, I used the double back clear Gorilla Glue tape. Before removing the backing tape I tried a couple positioning trials, removed the backing tape and put it place.

Thanks, oldwingguy. Off to Wally world I go !
Jay.

Gorilla double-sided tape works like magic ! I saw the thickness would compensate for the thin lip on the front fender. So, I stuck it on without the filler piece and it is on there like a true gorilla ! Looks sharp too. Went on a 200 mile ride today, no problems.
Thanks again, oldwingguy ! I took your advice to clean and clean, getting that spray adhesive was a bugger but I did get it all off the fender and the flap. Mineral spirits works and brake cleaner in small doses.
Jay.

Three thumbs up

Gorilla glue products are becoming easier to obtain on this side of the pond. I found the duct tape is very good and the ordinary glue too. Looking forward to trying their other products as they become available.

While working on the fender mudguard I noticed that my lower body panels were not lined up properly. A great opportunity to pop the plastic radiator grille off and re-align. Gave everything a good scrub, and removed assorted crud from that area. Before putting everything back, I attached a piece of window screen material that should keep the worst of the crud off the radiator. Used zip ties to keep the screen firmly in place on the inside of the grille. Should keep bugs off too.
Jay.

cotetoi wrote:

...I attached a piece of window screen material that should keep the worst of the crud off the radiator. Used zip ties to keep the screen firmly in place on the inside of the grille. Should keep bugs off too.
Jay.

I may have misunderstood this! But if you have covered up part of the radiator you will restrict the air flow and the engine could overheat. Covering part or all of the radiator was often used in the UK in Winter to allow the engine to reach working temperature quicker. I know it gets cold in Canada but keep an eye on your temperature gauge.

JB

Window screen material is just small mesh to prevent bugs, and insects entering. It's usually made from fibreglass or aluminium (aloo-min-um! ). I have a piece of wider plastic coated mesh I've often thought of fixing behind the the radiator cover in a similar way as extra protection from loose road chippings. I've never got round to doing it because I can't be bothered, and if I thought it really was necessary I'd have done it by now.

Fiberglass screening is in front of every radiator I have, even the tractor, being fiberglass it's easy to install AND remove for CLEANING, don't forget the cleaning part. Never had a problem with over heating on anything with e screens.

Doh!!! for some reason I didn't picture mesh was thinking perspex or some such thing. I aas half asleep at the time.

JB

The mesh is useful around our neck of the woods. Keeps bugs and road grime away from the radiator. I went on a 200 mile ride on secondary roads and road works are everywhere; and only major highways are getting the real fix. Every other road is getting a patch with the very loose stuff that flings everywhere. Not to mention the bugs: we make them here for export and this year we seem to have a surplus!
Jay.

My first screen came at the suggestion of my son in Florida, it was Love Bug season and the damned things when squished emit a toxic fluid that etches everything, not removed promptly they can ruin paint ect. That and and a spray can of Pam will do wonders.