I have been trying to figure out a good source for some heavy plastic that I can use to build a bottom cover for the subframe. I have decided to remove the inner fender completely but I want to cover the bottom of the subframe to keep crud off the bottom of the seat and my backside. Does anyone know of a good material or source to get plastics and such?
Thanks,
CB
Assuming you want to be able to shape said plastic, fiberglass + epoxy (or carbon fiber + epoxy - costs more) any boat-building or aircraft building supply website, shop till you drop.
If you were thinking more sheet plastic, clear types are often available from glass suppliers. Otherwise, check the yellow pages under "plastics".
I went through this for a while, eventually I got a peice of sheet metal from home depot and cut it up some. I was originally going to try to run one peice straight across the bottom, but had 2 problems. First is that my tail doesn't run completely down to the bottom of the subframe, so I would've had to bend it down and around and it probably would've been a mess. The second, is that the GS tail isn't that high, and I'm pretty sure if you just make something that runs across the bottom, the back wheel will definitely hit it at some point. The stock undertail has a huge cutout in it, it's not just a small indent like on some other bikes.
I didn't have much luck finding a good sheet of plastic to use, but if you do, you should let me know!
Yeah, I was thinking of sheet metal too or sheet aluminum. Not sure just yet what I really want. i was thinking of doing a slimline carbon fiber tail or side panel type deal but that's waaaaay off in the future if at all.
tt_four: Have any pics you want to share?
Can't remember where I saw it but I once saw an SV where they had used part of a black plastic trash can. It actually turned out pretty nice.
Quote from: lowcountrygs on August 25, 2009, 07:56:10 AM
Can't remember where I saw it but I once saw an SV where they had used part of a black plastic trash can. It actually turned out pretty nice.
which is a good idea, as trash cans are usually moulded from HDPE - high density polyethylene. HDPE is a thermoplastic (might not be the exact term) which means it can be formed and reshaped with the application of heat, and hold said shape indefinitely while cool. HDPE begins to become pliable above 100 degrees celcius (boiling point of water), which is well below its spontaineous ignition point.
which translates to: cut up garbage can, form with boiling water, take pictures.
Hmm.... didn't think of a garbage can. No I just need to find a pot big enough to fit an undertail in.....
I'll see what I can do for a picture, I'm not done with the tail yet, and it's not going to look too fact when I'm done anyway. At the moment I have the stock undertail, which has been cut down the sides a bit, the whole part on the back which held the tool pouch and all of that, and then a cut out at the top of the wheel well where my new tail and seat hit it. Then I cut out a new peice of sheet metal to go from the stock undertail up to the tail light, and now I'm just trying to come up with the peices that will fill the gap from my tail to the bottom subframe rail. The sheet metal will just be spray painted black, and will really only serve to keep too much stuff from making a mess under my bike, and will be no means look pretty. There's also a quarter inch gap between the subframe and the undertail on both sides, so it won't be perfectly clean.
i used a black abs plastic that i found on ebay, cheap. used that and some pvc pipe to give a rounded edge and have leftover material if interested.