I'm wondering how easily and cleanly that plastic cuts. I'm thinking about cutting them to expose the belts but not if the material doesnt take to it well. All I've got is a Dremel ... so fancy tools and machinery to get this done are not an option. Any experience or tips or pics would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
It seems to me that it has been done and that pics are on this forum somewhere.
+1 to what Spike said; I recall someone doing this exact thing and posting pictures. He did a good job and it look really good.
I have nothing else to offer.
[coffee]
Mark
It all depends on the type of bit you use in the Dremel and how aggressive it cuts. Finer cutting bits, such as a sanding disc or drum, will produce smoother edges, but you must avoid overheating the plastic edge using them. A trace line/margin for a guide, made with an Xacto blade, is helpful for me. You want to avoid a jagged/lumpy edge. It is possible to get a smooth finish, but if that does not happen, mask the faces, leaving the edge exposed, and finish with 400/600 silicon grit sandpaper. Edge finishing options can also include flame polishing or even a careful solvent wipe. Experiment on some scrap and you will find what suits you best.
One guy inserted his own clear rizoma style windows, another cut DUCATI in the side. Been done a few times now. Slow speeds with a plastic cutting disc and a Dremel will work I do not recommend the cutting bits as they can track off in an instant. Best to move slowly but quite doable.
Note there is no way to use a Dremel and sand a perfectly straight line. Best to finish off edges with some good old sandpaper.
How do you hold it still while cutting? Vise?
clamp a metal ruler to it as a straight edge
practice on the sprocket cover
Quote from: Skybarney on July 11, 2014, 12:37:47 PM
.....
Note there is no way to use a Dremel and sand a perfectly straight line. Best to finish off edges with some good old sandpaper.
Finishing the edges with the correct grit paper is one method, but not the only one, and it being the best is subjective.
It is also possible to cut and finish a straight line with a Dremel using several methods. I described one previously, and bobspapa offered another. I expect there are others. Of course, as with most tasks of this nature, the results are dictated by equipment, choice of technique, and if the person doing it is capable. Being a perfectionist and enjoying it is almost necessary. bobspapa suggested doing a practice piece. That ought to provide a good decision point for going ahead with it, or putting the Dremel away.
Quote from: Duck Off on July 11, 2014, 06:22:39 PM
How do you hold it still while cutting? Vise?
A vise is one method. If I were doing it I would attach the pieces to wood planks which would hold them securely while still allowing the pieces to be repositioned and held in whatever attitude is conducive to facilitating the cutting. I'd probably refer to the planks as holding fixtures or maybe just call them jigs. :)
you need to put windows or mesh when you cut windows into the belts.
it does not take much debris to throw timing. cutting windows may seem like more protection than running exposed belts, but if something does get into the cover its going to bounce around like a guitar pick in a hollow body.
ive seen guys do this and then pull literal tablespoons worth of gravel from inside the covers.
I dont know what kind of roads theyre riding on to be getting that much gravel but its definitely advice worth considering. Thanks!
Quote from: xcaptainxbloodx on July 12, 2014, 09:49:44 AM
you need to put windows or mesh when you cut windows into the belts.
it does not take much debris to throw timing. cutting windows may seem like more protection than running exposed belts, but if something does get into the cover its going to bounce around like a guitar pick in a hollow body.
ive seen guys do this and then pull literal tablespoons worth of gravel from inside the covers.
I've run mine full open with the SpeedyMoto Leggero kit for quite a while now and have not had the first bit of FOD in the belt area. I don't know how many kits they have sold but suspect it has been quite a few and have not heard of any problem with them. The difference might be that the ones with open windows, such as we are discussing here, might allow FOD entry and then trap it in the covers. If I were going that way, I would definitely use a screen or clear covering.
Quote from: oldndumb on July 12, 2014, 01:41:32 PM
I've run mine full open with the SpeedyMoto Leggero kit for quite a while now and have not had the first bit of FOD in the belt area. I don't know how many kits they have sold but suspect it has been quite a few and have not heard of any problem with them. The difference might be that the ones with open windows, such as we are discussing here, might allow FOD entry and then trap it in the covers. If I were going that way, I would definitely use a screen or clear covering.
I would consider the speedymoto covers "open" belt covers.
meaning they are out in the elements. debris can come up and hit them and bounce away. its a danger, but like you said, not a major one.
windowed covers prevent some debris from hitting the belts, but whatever does get in there gets stuck and bounces around until it finds its way to the open portion again.
Quote from: bobspapa on July 11, 2014, 06:39:38 PM
practice on the sprocket cover
+1
And I wouldn't dream of exposing those belts to the chaos of nature.
Love the Speedymoto covers but they are PRICE-EE$$.