Bike on its left side

[shchuka]

Some idiot dropped my bike today.  Don't know how or what or why.  Came out from work tonight (bike normally parked on the street) and found it lying on its left side.  I asked at the cafe near where the bike was parked whether they saw anything - nope.

Anyway, I lifted it onto its wheels, looked around for damage - didn't seem much - just small scuffs and scratches and bent bar-end screw.  So I started it as usual and went home.  Along the way (about 32 miles) I heard some strange noise from the engine that I hadn't heard before, but it was very soft and with the pouring rain I couldn't really make out whether it was the engine, anyway.

Once I got home, I parked the bike and went inside to find a replacement screw for the bar-end.  Came out 10 minutes later with the screw and a screw driver - and notice a wet stain near the side stand.  Checked it - damn! - oil!  Started looking around the bike in more details - and notice a tiny-tiny crack at the bottom of the left engine cover - just under the "Suzuki" word.  And the oil is very-very so lightly seeping through that crack.  The next step is to buy a replacement cover.  I found one used on ebay for £20 plus £10 shipping - seems a bit steep, but it's the only thing I see.

But in the mean time, can anybody suggest whether there is anything I may possibly be able to do to ride for a few days until the new cover comes in.  I tried solering the crack over, but the soldering tin just doesn't hold to the cover.  Or is it better to just bite the bullet and buy myself a train ticket for the next few days?

BTW, if anybody here in UK can sell me one of these covers cheaply, do get in touch.  I'm willing to come pick it up if the distance is reasonable (up to 60-70 miles from GU22) - otherwise, pay the shipping.

Many thanks.

[romulux]

Kwik JB

[romulux]

You might not have JB Weld in the UK -- if you can find it, that's a good option.

Otherwise, look for any "quick steel" type product.  Any high temperature, high pressure epoxy will work fine.  If it really is tiny, I'd even say it's a permanent fix.

[romulux]

You may need to use brake cleaner to remove any oil and possibly drain oil to keep the hole clean till it sets.

[T1z3R]

drop me a PM. got a couple of covers here.

you can get stuff in b&q or halfords to repair it for now.
ive just used stuff from b&q to repair a hole in the sump of my peugeot 306. its like blobs of blu tak.
you activate it by squeezing it about then just put it on the crack and it sets in an hour or two.

[shchuka]

oh, yeah, I saw those things - thanks for the advice - I'll stop by B&Q tomorrow.

[the mole]

You'll need to really thoroughly clean the oil off to get it to stick. It'll work on the outside as a temporary repair, but if you remove the cover, clean it with solvent and repair from the inside it would be a permanent fix.

[shchuka]

Thanks, guys!  I need a temporary fix for three days - this Saturday I'm going away on holidays, so will deal with the permanent solution when I come back.

[shchuka]

I though I'd share the results.  Worth noting that once I put the bike on centre stand last night, not a drop of oil came out.

I got that metal epoxy from B&Q this morning (luckily, I've got one not far from me that opens at 8 am).  Carefully cleaned everything around the crack and sanded a bit.  Then wiped with white spirit.  Mixed some of that epoxy and applied to the crack.  It more or less solidified in about 5-10 minutes, although was a bit sticky.  I waited about an hour total - then had to go to work.  I topped up the oil that I lost yesterday and rode her to work.  Once parked, looked at the job - doesn't look the greatest (silver gray epoxy on black cover), but is very functional.  Waited for about half an hour  so that the engine could down a bit, then tried it with my finger - solid metal.  From the way the crack was positioned, apart from the colour difference, you couldn't say there was a crack.  I think I'll get myself some black paint and touch up over the epoxy - that'll last me for some time.

Thanks again, everyone, for your help.  I love this forum!

[lopee]

it might not have been someone that knocked your bike over. it could have dropped because the sidestand sank into the pavement. mine has done this before. use a small plate w/ a larger area to spread the weight. they make  and sell them, but a small piece of steel will work

[Toogoofy317]

a flattened soda can works too!

Mary

[shchuka]

it might not have been someone that knocked your bike over. it could have dropped because the sidestand sank into the pavement. mine has done this before. use a small plate w/ a larger area to spread the weight. they make  and sell them, but a small piece of steel will work

I usually use a flattened soda/beer can.  This wasn't the case this time though, as the bike was parked on a block-paved area.

[The Buddha]

The left side has the alternator. If its bent you could have goats. se7enty7 got goats that way.
Cool.
Buddha.

[shchuka]

Yeah, thanks for the note.  As I mentioned, I needed a quick fix to get me through the end of this week. The metal epoxy for £6 worked the charm.  I'm leaving for a 3-week holiday tomorrow (nice!)  When I'm back, I'll drain the oil, take the cover off and check the situation under it.