Repair cracked fender

bpdchief · 03-19-2012, 07:07 PM

The front fender on my GZ is cracked at the right front bolt and right front corner from previous owner dropping the bike. The front crack is a straight line crack about 1.5 inches long right in the curve. The bolt crack is wonderful - verticle crack about 1.5 inches, bi-lateral running from front hole halfway to back hole and about 2 inches toward the front.

1. What are these fenders made of?
2. Can I plastic weld it back together? Is there a patch of some kind?
3. Do I try to locate a replacement fender?

The missing bolt I can probably get from a shop.

JWR · 03-19-2012, 08:42 PM

I have a friend that repairs bikes with plastic weld, seems to do very good.

blaine · 03-19-2012, 08:47 PM

I had good luck with epoxy for plastic.

:2tup:

bpdchief · 03-19-2012, 08:55 PM

Do the usual V grind on the cracks or just epoxy a patch over the whole thing and redrill the bolt hole?

blaine · 03-19-2012, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpdchief

Do the usual V grind on the cracks or just epoxy a patch over the whole thing and redrill the bolt hole?

I just v grind on the back side,seal the crack with super glue and than epoxy.Repaired my back fender a year ago.no problem.

:cool:

Water Warrior 2 · 03-19-2012, 11:57 PM

Any local big box hardware should have a metric bolt. Take a sample in to compare. It usually works for me.

alantf · 03-20-2012, 05:49 AM

Before you repair the crack, drill a small hole right at the end, to stop it running. To repair plastic, I use the "sausage" of two different "putty" type materials, that you knead until it comes out just one colour. You'll need to open up the crack with a grinder to allow the filler to make the repair, then file/grind it down when it's set (30 minutes to an hour)

mrlmd1 · 03-20-2012, 10:22 AM

There is an ABS plastic "glue" that I have used before and it works pretty well. Sort of like PVC cement but a different formulation, comes in the same small sized can with an applicator. You need something that will dissolve or melt the plastic and then solidify with the same type of material. Put it on from underneath and you won't see it, and for added strength you can embed a piece of fiberglass cloth or window screen in the material when you apply it to a larger area surrounding the crack.

bpdchief · 03-20-2012, 07:23 PM

Used two part epoxy, added mesh over the larger area. Waiting for it to dry/harden then I'll redrill the hole. I'll be working at Lowe's tomorrow for awhle and will take a bolt with me to match. Thanks for all the suggestions.

mrlmd1 · 03-20-2012, 08:52 PM

Some epoxies and even fiberglass won't stick well to certain plastics because they don't have much to grip, the plastic surface being so smooth. Did you rough up the surface first to give it something to "bite" into?

03-19-2012, 07:07 PM	#1
bpdchief Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 848	Repair cracked fender The front fender on my GZ is cracked at the right front bolt and right front corner from previous owner dropping the bike. The front crack is a straight line crack about 1.5 inches long right in the curve. The bolt crack is wonderful - verticle crack about 1.5 inches, bi-lateral running from front hole halfway to back hole and about 2 inches toward the front. 1. What are these fenders made of? 2. Can I plastic weld it back together? Is there a patch of some kind? 3. Do I try to locate a replacement fender? The missing bolt I can probably get from a shop. __________________ I'm never lost - I'm exploring alternative destinations ! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-19-2012, 08:42 PM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Repair cracked fender I have a friend that repairs bikes with plastic weld, seems to do very good. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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03-19-2012, 08:47 PM	#3
blaine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: P.E.I. Canada Posts: 3,784	Re: Repair cracked fender I had good luck with epoxy for plastic. :2tup: __________________ If at first you do succeed, try not to look surprised. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-19-2012, 08:55 PM	#4
bpdchief Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 848	Re: Repair cracked fender Do the usual V grind on the cracks or just epoxy a patch over the whole thing and redrill the bolt hole? __________________ I'm never lost - I'm exploring alternative destinations !
	0

03-19-2012, 11:57 PM	#6
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Repair cracked fender Any local big box hardware should have a metric bolt. Take a sample in to compare. It usually works for me.
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03-20-2012, 05:49 AM	#7
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,715	Re: Repair cracked fender Before you repair the crack, drill a small hole right at the end, to stop it running. To repair plastic, I use the "sausage" of two different "putty" type materials, that you knead until it comes out just one colour. You'll need to open up the crack with a grinder to allow the filler to make the repair, then file/grind it down when it's set (30 minutes to an hour) __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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03-20-2012, 10:22 AM	#8
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Repair cracked fender There is an ABS plastic "glue" that I have used before and it works pretty well. Sort of like PVC cement but a different formulation, comes in the same small sized can with an applicator. You need something that will dissolve or melt the plastic and then solidify with the same type of material. Put it on from underneath and you won't see it, and for added strength you can embed a piece of fiberglass cloth or window screen in the material when you apply it to a larger area surrounding the crack.
	0

03-20-2012, 07:23 PM	#9
bpdchief Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 848	Re: Repair cracked fender Used two part epoxy, added mesh over the larger area. Waiting for it to dry/harden then I'll redrill the hole. I'll be working at Lowe's tomorrow for awhle and will take a bolt with me to match. Thanks for all the suggestions. __________________ I'm never lost - I'm exploring alternative destinations !
	0

03-20-2012, 08:52 PM	#10
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Repair cracked fender Some epoxies and even fiberglass won't stick well to certain plastics because they don't have much to grip, the plastic surface being so smooth. Did you rough up the surface first to give it something to "bite" into?
	0