Ancient Plastic

[p51bombay]

Not that it comes as any surprise really but I went to make a list of obvious things that I needed to order and in the process I notice the L/front signal lens isn't sitting right, so I remove the screw to check it out -  the speed nut and plastic it is attached to falls out the bottom of the fairing.  So i figure I'll remove the inner fairing on that side, reach in and use it for a nut.  Take the choke/reserve panel off and yep, broken plastic for the screw holding the panel on.  Then I have to move the tank to access the choke knob screw so I remove the LH side panel, then the right and the forward pin either snaps just then or already was.  Then I get to the RH scoop (LH already damaged by PO) and start taking screws off and more plastic begins to fall on top of the engine, broke the large plastic tab at the bottom of the fairing.  The RH rear panel under the seat is also cracked, as is the front fender side mounting tab and probably a bunch of others I have yet to see.  Managed to buton it back up with a washer or two but it looks like all new plastic is in order, that won't be cheap.

[markmartin]

I ran into the same type of thing when I bought mine.   Fortunately for me it was winter so I had time to take the fairing off and start epoxying cracked and broken pieces and fabricating some missing busted off attachment points.  I don't know what you've run into, but if it doesn't show from  the outside (much)--- time, patience and some 2 part epoxy will fix a lot of things and cut down on some probable buzzing.

Below is a link to one such fix.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5770.msg50406;topicseen#msg50406

[baldy3853]

P51 you will be surprised at how cheap good 2nd hand bits are especially in the U.S. if your prepared to do some trawling thru ebay an such places, also there have been a few people who have repaired broken tabs themselves, (can't remember what the stuff is called, am sure someone will know) its really good stuff repairs it like new.
Baldy

[Steve_in_Florida]

The damaged plastic bits you describe are some of the common weak spots on our bikes. I have a couple of fairing sets with damage in the exact same places.

Maybe I should organize a "Central Florida Plastic Repair Day"?

I've read some of the ABS repair threads with much interest, and might look into pursuing some repairs.

Steve

[p51bombay]

More of a rant than looking for a fix, I know the it can be fixed, seen some pretty good plastic welding jobs and this isn't my first experience with cracked plastic, my RD had the same issues.  The trouble is you fix/strengthen one spot and another cracks later one - old brittle plastic that's been vibrated for 20 something years.  I'm finding places with new plastic, just a question of which to get first.

[Steve_in_Florida]

I've been using a silicone spray product (Loctite brand?) to lubricate all my plastic and rubber parts. The little pegs on the side panels now slide in and out pretty effortlessly.

Preventive maintenance?

...plus it seems to restore the luster on the dashboard and inner side panels.

[yamaha fj rider]

This is a timely thread, last week one of the side panels mounting studs broke off. Never dawned on me to glue it. Fished it out of the trash this morning, will try gluing it latter today. Thank for the information guys.

Kurt