The carbon fibre front fender, on the bike I bought, was damaged. I ordered a new one, to fit a Monster 1100S but when I fitted it found that it scrapped against the brake discs (see photos below). Has anybody else come across this? Comparing it to the old one there is a subtle difference in the curvature of the side portions. If the vendor I bought it from is unable to find one the right shape can anybody recommend somewhere to get the right one - with a matching weave to the original carbon fibre? The bit I am having problems with is hard to see clearly in most photos of the fenders I have seen.
Original (left) vs New (right):
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-fbT8NC7/0/S/i-fbT8NC7-S.jpg)(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-TXM9bPV/0/S/i-TXM9bPV-S.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-9qXCpCH/0/S/i-9qXCpCH-S.jpg)(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-wQ3x6D2/0/S/i-wQ3x6D2-S.jpg)
The new one in the pic looks good quality so get a DREMEL... :-[
Geoff... [coffee]
The quality is great. It exactly matches the original in everything but shape. I did wonder about having it cut (I wouldn't trust myself to get it symmetrical), especially as it will be a major hassle to send it back to the USA from Australia. How easy would it be to cut? I'm also worried that cutting it would leave a raw edge, at the moment there is a nice bevel to the edge. Would I just lacquer over the cut piece?
The carbon I've cut has not left a raw edge, much to my surprise.
Masking tape, draw nice lines on it (doesn't have to be symmetrical, just similar), cut 1mm from the line, file and sand. No lacquer required.
Result like this:
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l394/stopintime/Side%20covers/sidecover001.jpg)
(http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l394/stopintime/Side%20covers/sidecover009.jpg)
What did you cut it with? I'm guessing a dremel, which I don't have. Would a small hacksaw work? Or I have a multitool:
(http://www.ryobi.com.au/getattachment/9bf9bdcb-f9ff-4613-9c3b-7e9cd50750a9/RMT1801-?maxsidesize=400).
Probaly anything that won't compromise the line you draw [thumbsup]
It's more about the file/sand work on the last mm.
Maybe I'll have a try on the old, broken, one. I'm waiting to hear from the vendor but don't expect a reply for a few days. Probably best to not massacre the new one if returning it is still an option!
Have a go at the old one - my guess is that you'll be surprised how easy it is to work on carbon.
People regularly advice against inhaling carbon fiber dust, so good venting (outside?) and a mask is in order [thumbsup]
Good luck!
I wouldn't recommend that big multi cutter for precise cuts. I destroyed a perfectly good fender like that. Then again you may not be nearly the hack I am. 😠Those things are just not intended for precision imo. Are there Harbor Freights in AU? Their cheap version of the Dremel (rotary multi tool) works great and it's like ten bucks.
To insure semitry make a cardboard template of the curve you want and trace it on both sides.
If you buy a rotary tool you will probably find many uses for it in the future.
Masking tape and very carefully cut with a fine tooth saw, when you've got the approx profile a fine wet & dry paper will finish it off with nice clean lines, I always put alittle washing up liquid in the water to help lub the paper... [thumbsup]
But please don't inhale the carbon dust... [thumbsdown]
As stopintime posts you can get a real pro finish it just takes time... [bow_down]
Geoff... [coffee]
I'll head to Bunnings and buy a Dremel and some sand-paper. I already have a face mask, but thanks for the warning. Practice run on the old one first!
Quote from: StephenC on April 18, 2014, 03:08:55 PM
Practice run on the old one first!
A very wise decision!
Job done!
Dremel bought - it will be useful for lots of jobs so I'll call it an investment.
Practice run on the old fender - easy as.
Shape masked with tape and then tape moved to the new one.
Cut to roughly the right shape and then sanded to the line.
Finished with some wet and dry - you couldn't tell it didn't come that way.
Thanks to all those who advised.
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-6cvSFXL/0/M/i-6cvSFXL-M.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-63CbrqQ/0/M/i-63CbrqQ-M.jpg)
(http://sconnor1.smugmug.com/photos/i-HmSkX6m/0/M/i-HmSkX6m-M.jpg)
Nice one Stephen... [thumbsup]
We'll make a ducati owner out of you... ;) ;)
Geoff... [coffee]
Where did you get the carbon fender and aside from the slight fitment shenanigans, how do you like it? I'm in the market for one.
Quote from: geoffduc on April 18, 2014, 08:35:28 PM
We'll make a ducati owner out of you... ;) ;)
You mean owning a Ducati is not sufficient? :P
I'm getting there with my tinkering, not all on this Monster but I have:
- changed rear sets
- changed the brake reservoirs
- chopped the tail
- replaced front and rear fenders
- replaced levers
- put on slip-ons
- changed the mirrors
- changed the clutch pressure plate, springs and cover
- had the back wheel off and successfully put it back on
- done brake and clutch fluid changes and even an oil change
- changed indicators (possibly still a work in progress, as I'm waiting for them to blow a fuse)
Does that qualify me?
Yer qualified! Great job on the fender, you're gonna be a fabricator before you know it!
Given that, prior to owning my Monster, I would have struggled to change a lightbulb, I am pretty proud of myself for the jobs I have done. I will go to a mechanic for the next set of jobs, but mainly as I want to chat somebody up and facilitate passing my Pink Slip in June.
Quote from: StephenC on April 19, 2014, 03:31:45 PM
Given that, prior to owning my Monster, I would have struggled to change a lightbulb, I am pretty proud of myself for the jobs I have done. I will go to a mechanic for the next set of jobs, but mainly as I want to chat somebody up and facilitate passing my Pink Slip in June.
you gonna sell ??? :o
No. I just sold the Triumph to rejoin the Monster fraternity. But as it is a 5 year old bike I have to get a Safety Inspection done for re-registration and officially my pipes are too loud to pass. Friendly mechanics have been known to overlook things like this, so time to make friends!
Quote from: StephenC on April 19, 2014, 08:16:08 PM
No. I just sold the Triumph to rejoin the Monster fraternity. But as it is a 5 year old bike I have to get a Safety Inspection done for re-registration and officially my pipes are too loud to pass. Friendly mechanics have been known to overlook things like this, so time to make friends!
California is so damn draconian...or I'm just spoiled. You do live in CA right?
Oh and did you notice my fender query...
Quote from: Buck Naked on April 19, 2014, 09:25:11 PMYou do live in CA right?
No, I'm in Australia
Quote from: Buck Naked on April 19, 2014, 09:25:11 PMOh and did you notice my fender query...
Oops, I missed that one. I bought it from Motowheels. The quality is great and the weave pattern matches the original stuff. Now it is modified there are no issues. I'm not sure I can get that excited, insofar as it was simply replacing a damaged part, so not really an upgrade. By the way, you will have to transfer across the little clip for the brake line as it doesn't come with one. I just drilled out the rivet in the old one and then popped a new rivet in on the new one - easy, if you have a rivet gun. You could probably get away without it as the line that arches over the fender is pretty stiff so doesn't really rub.
Oh, AU would have been my 2nd assumption.
Meh, haven't had one of those plastic clippies since I originally removed the hideous banana fender years ago.
Quote from: StephenC on April 18, 2014, 02:22:45 AM
Or I have a multitool:
(http://www.ryobi.com.au/getattachment/9bf9bdcb-f9ff-4613-9c3b-7e9cd50750a9/RMT1801-?maxsidesize=400).
Seriously? This makes my head hurt just thinking about it. [bang]
Quote from: Monstermash on April 22, 2014, 11:02:16 AM
Seriously? This makes my head hurt just thinking about it. [bang]
Yeah leave that bad boy for tearing out a tile floor or cutting out some walls in your house. :-)
Stephen did a nice job on his fender it's all good. 😎
The multi-tool and I never gelled. I don't know if I damaged the blade but I never got it to convincingly chop through anything. Usually I would resort to a handheld hacksaw. Don't panic, I bought the Dremel and am very pleased with the decision. As Buck Naked said: Job done, all fingers intact, bike now working - all good!