ABS weld

[HandJuice]

I would like to know what the ABS weld stuff is called and where I can get it. Will it work well with the fairing stay?

[TLSBill]

You mean a plastic welder?

www.harborfreight.com

[Miles B]

I usually weld cracks in ABS with a bigass soldering iron I got from the hardware store (used for soldering guttering I think), and strips of ABS cut off an old airbox I had in the garage... It's worked well for me so far....................

[JarkkoT]

I have heard you can 'weld' fairing plastic with old fairing parts, by dissolving peaces of plastic(same as you are welding) to acetone..

Plastic dissolves and forms sort of glue, when you can glue parts together and the acetone evaporates away and plastic is ok?

not tested this one, probably you can find some instruction from the net

JT

[BatesTLR1000]

I have some glue that the Air Force uses. I'll find out what it is called. And I'll let you know later.

P.S. It works great on plastic.

[HandJuice]

Originally posted by BatesTLR1000
I have some glue that the Air Force uses. I'll find out what it is called. And I'll let you know later.

P.S. It works great on plastic.

Yeah, I think that is what I need. Sorry about the misleading "weld" word I just thought that is what it was commonly called. I saw an article in a mag a few weeks ago and I think that is what they called it. It was all about using the proper glue/ABS weld on the plastic. They explained that you have to use the right kind of glue on certain plastics in order for it to work. My main goal here is to fix the inside fairing stay that the headlight and such bolts onto. It cracked right at the column and I don't see why I wouldn't be able to "glue" it.

Isn't ABS glue simply a chemical reaction that essentially melts the plastic together?

[nathanTLX]

Um..... are you actually talking about the fairing bracket itself? Bolts to the headstock (on the frame) and supports the gauges and headlight? I thought that was aluminum?? Maybe different on the ST4 (or are you asking about a different bike?).

True plastic welding involves what is basically a big soldering gun. You prep the crack, then more or less melt the two sides together along with a little bit of filler (old fairing strips work pretty well). When it cools it solidifies back into solid plastic.

[tl1000lasse]

Epoxi works fine

[HandJuice]

Yeah, Talking about a TLR. The bracket seems to be of a little different composition than the ABS fairings. Will this weld methond work on it still?

[TLSBill]

I have one of these

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41592

You have to use the ABS rod for ABS plastic, but yes it will work.

[HandJuice]

[nathanTLX]

I've got a TLS, so I can't say that I've taken an extreme closeup look at the fairing brackets on the TLR. But, on my bike and the others that I've seen, they are made of aluminum not plastic. Am I confused about the part that you are describing? Maybe it's different material on the TLR? If it is aluminum and is mildly cracked, you can probably just find a decent machine/welding shop and ask them if they repair aluminum welds. Should be able to slip the guy a few bucks under the table and have them weld it (assuming the damage is in a repair-able location).

[etbadger]

To fix up cracks in ABS fairings just use a few drops of MEK (methel-ethel(sp?) keytone) Just spread the crack open a bit, drop a couple drops off of a toothpick or small straw, and press the crack back together for a few minutes. Good as new. Doesn't even seem to harm the paint if you wipe up any spillage quickly.

Done this on a few cracks my fairings had, and they seem as strong as new.

MEK is sold in hardware stores with the paint-thinnner. If you need more body you can dissolve some scrap ABS in some MEK or just buy ABS plumbing cement (same thing).

-Erik

[HandJuice]

Originally posted by etbadger
To fix up cracks in ABS fairings just use a few drops of MEK (methel-ethel(sp?) keytone) Just spread the crack open a bit, drop a couple drops off of a toothpick or small straw, and press the crack back together for a few minutes. Good as new. Doesn't even seem to harm the paint if you wipe up any spillage quickly.

Done this on a few cracks my fairings had, and they seem as strong as new.

MEK is sold in hardware stores with the paint-thinnner. If you need more body you can dissolve some scrap ABS in some MEK or just buy ABS plumbing cement (same thing).

-Erik

Cool. Have you tried this on the inside fairing bracket, the one that the headlight and front cowl bolts to? It seems to be a different type of plastic. I'm gonna try it but I thought I'd ask if anyone else has already.

[etbadger]

Originally posted by HandJuice
Cool. Have you tried this on the inside fairing bracket, the one that the headlight and front cowl bolts to? It seems to be a different type of plastic. I'm gonna try it but I thought I'd ask if anyone else has already.

Oh, that thing, I wasn't sure what you were wanting it for. I doubt it will work on the bracket as I think that is nylon or delrin of some sort. I would even be suprised if a plastic welder (heat based) would work. You are probably best off getting a replacement (ronayers.com or ebay or something). It would really suck for it to come loose while riding and have pieces potentially hit the front wheel or radiator.

You might have luck drilling some holes and putting some screws through the broken pieces and some JB Weld to keep everything in place? Again, I think a new one would be the best bet.

-Erik