Ever Drop Your Bike & Scratch Up The Engine Cases?

[~JM~]

I have a Yamaha FJ1200 that is difficult to push around due to its size & weight. Both the previous owner & myself have dropped it onto its left side scratching up the engine case pretty badly. It's a real shame because the bike is a real cherry other than that. Here is a picture of the damage.

[~JM~]

When the bike fell on me, the side stand had collapsed due to a weak spring. I have since replaced the spring & relieved the side stand stop so the side stand would extend forward a bit more instead of almost straight up & down. But the scratches really bothered me.

Today I decided to try to do something about the scratches & pulled out my sandpaper collection & some masking tape. I carefully masked around the side case & part of the belly pan to protect those areas. I then started with some 80 grit to remove enough material to remove the deep gouges & the pits. I used a criss cross pattern & dry sanded across the gouges instead of with them. I then switched to 320 grit (it was the only choice that I had readily available) & began sanding the remaining scratches out. This took some time & I experimented with both wet sanding & dry sanding. I couldn't really tell if one technique worked better than the other. I eventually swapped to 400 grit & started seeing a "grain" to the aluminum. I sanded with the grain until the previous scratches were gone & then switched to 600 grit. More of the same sanding & then I switched to 1500 grit to finish up with. These just happened to be the grits of paper that I had on hand. Once I was done with the 1500 grit paper, I used some McGuires Fine Cut rubbing compound/cleaner & rubbed that into the surface then buffed it out. It took me about 1.5 to a couple of hours total, but I think the results are well worth the effort. Have a look for yourself.



Good luck
~JM~

[rktmanfj]

I'd put a set of Renntecs on it now, if it were mine.  

[~JM~]

I'd put a set of Renntecs on it now, if it were mine.    

What are Renntecs?

I'd really like to find a new belly pan that matches the color scheme. Then the bike would be totally cherry again.

Thanks
~JM~

[rktmanfj]

What are Renntecs?

I'd really like to find a new belly pan that matches the color scheme. Then the bike would be totally cherry again.

Thanks
~JM~

http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39&filter=renntec



Good luck with the belly pan, you're probably going to have to 'roll your own'.

[~JM~]

I see now. Those look beefy. Thanks for the link.

I kinda figured a replacement belly pan is about unobtainable other than a fiberglass replica. Probably cost almost as much to match the paint scheme as the bike blue books for.

Thanks
~JM~

[aviationfred]

Probably cost almost as much to match the paint scheme as the bike blue books for.

Thanks
~JM~

Here is the link for paint codes. I know that some O'Rielly's auto Parts stores have a paint department that can mix paint to the paint codes. They can mix up a pint of  pre-mixed, (paint/hardener). They also have spray packs that have the paint cup and aerosol in case you don't have a compressor and paint gun.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=2902.0

Fred

[FJscott]

I'd put a set of Renntecs on it now, if it were mine.    

What are Renntecs?

I'd really like to find a new belly pan that matches the color scheme. Then the bike would be totally cherry again.

Thanks
~JM~

What are Renntecs?

I'd really like to find a new belly pan that matches the color scheme. Then the bike would be totally cherry again.

Thanks
~JM~

http://www.rpmracingca.com/products.asp?cat=39&filter=renntec



Good luck with the belly pan, you're probably going to have to 'roll your own'.

I have a renntec tail rack and expandable sack. They are high quality components and I am on the fence on installing the renntec crash bars. I have an issue with drilling so many holes in the frame. Just look at the recent pics on Pete's frame, yikes. Has anyone seen cracks around the holes drilled to install these bars?

Scott

[1tinindian]

Nice come back from the tip over. You are sooooo......close to polishing that cover it kills me haha!
I second the Renntecs, they are the best money spent on protection since I stopped buying condoms!

I'd repaint the lower scoop, if it were me, but that's what I do.
Leon

[1tinindian]

FJScott, no holes are drilled to mount the case savers, (better term). They use existing bolts and threaded holes on the frame.

Leon

[rktmanfj]

I have a renntec tail rack and expandable sack. They are high quality components and I am on the fence on installing the renntec crash bars. I have an issue with drilling so many holes in the frame. Just look at the recent pics on Pete's frame, yikes. Has anyone seen cracks around the holes drilled to install these bars?

Scott

There's no drilling required to install the Renntec frame (I ain't calling them crash) bars on any FJ that I'm aware of.  

Definitely not on the 3rd gen.

EDIT:  Leon, GMTA   

[FJscott]

No drilling holes to install the renntec cras.....case savers? That good to know. I'm in.
Scott

[movenon]

"Engine guards" , "roo guards" for those in OZ or deluxe light mount bars.     On the list before spring....
George

[FJscott]

Nice job, but why stop there? Take a look at Pats or Leon's bike to see where you can take the FJ with
Some polish and elbo grease

[~JM~]

Nice job, but why stop there? Take a look at Pats or Leon's bike to see where you can take the FJ with Some polish and elbo grease

Where do I see these bikes? What more does it take to finish the job? Some finer grit paper, or do I need to start using some polishing compounds. I do not have a buffer & I'm limited to working it by hand.

Thanks
~JM~

PS. Wish I could do the same on the belly pan.