AAARRRGGGHHH - Just dropped the bike off the stand
Discussion
Just dropped my mint condition GSX-R750 K2, whilst fitting mushroom protectors ironically.
Stupidly doing this without a paddock stand and whilst tightening one mushroom the bike rolled forward a little and fell off the stand.
Managed to take most of the momentum out of the fall, but was off balance myself so couldn't hold her up and essentially laid the bike on the ground.
Not too much damage but most visible is a 3 inch scrape/gouge on the tail.
Does anyone have any experience of repairing and repainting plastic. The scrape if not too deep, but if I just painted over it, it would look crap.
That part of the tail is white, but the plastic underneath the paint is black, so it's very visible.
Also, where on earth can I find a touch-up brush in the correct colour? Is that the sort of thing I can get through my local Motorcycle City, or would I need to go to Suzuki directly?
Stupidly doing this without a paddock stand and whilst tightening one mushroom the bike rolled forward a little and fell off the stand.
Managed to take most of the momentum out of the fall, but was off balance myself so couldn't hold her up and essentially laid the bike on the ground.
Not too much damage but most visible is a 3 inch scrape/gouge on the tail.
Does anyone have any experience of repairing and repainting plastic. The scrape if not too deep, but if I just painted over it, it would look crap.
That part of the tail is white, but the plastic underneath the paint is black, so it's very visible.
Also, where on earth can I find a touch-up brush in the correct colour? Is that the sort of thing I can get through my local Motorcycle City, or would I need to go to Suzuki directly?
gixxer,
It depends on how skilful you are!
I've just bought some touch up paint from Kawasaki for my steam roller (Drifter) to repair a 1" scratch and the match was very good. I'd recommend the following if the Suzuki has a thick clearcoat finish.
Lightly T-Cut over the damage to get all the cr*p out of the scratches. If there are some fine scratches with dirt in get some 2000 wet and dry and gently run an edge of the w/d paper in and along the scratch. After, thoroughly clean the damaged area with a detergent.
Get a small can of Halfords acrylic white primer and a good quality small sable brush. Decant a small amount of the paint into the can top and dip the brush in. Now the trick is to paint along the scratches to cover over the black of the underlying plackky, but don't build it up too thick. If the paint is too thick or uneven wipe along the scratch with your finger (in a clean rubber glove)! You're aiming to keep the primer below the top surface of the surrounding paint but thick enough to lose the black marks.
Leave for a couple of days and then go over the top with the Suzuki matched paint using the small brush again. This time build the paint up so that it's above the surface. When dry, gently sand over the repair with 2000 wet and dry wetted with lots of ordinary hand barsoap. If you're careful you'll get the top surface smooth enough so that a brisk polish with T-Cut will leave perfect results.
Another option is fill the scratches right up with the primer, sand back using the soap method again, and then repair with a spraypaint. Suzuki may do an aerosol in your colour.
There is also a UK company (that have a website) that reckon they can match every bike colour but I've forgotton their name!
It depends on how skilful you are!
I've just bought some touch up paint from Kawasaki for my steam roller (Drifter) to repair a 1" scratch and the match was very good. I'd recommend the following if the Suzuki has a thick clearcoat finish.
Lightly T-Cut over the damage to get all the cr*p out of the scratches. If there are some fine scratches with dirt in get some 2000 wet and dry and gently run an edge of the w/d paper in and along the scratch. After, thoroughly clean the damaged area with a detergent.
Get a small can of Halfords acrylic white primer and a good quality small sable brush. Decant a small amount of the paint into the can top and dip the brush in. Now the trick is to paint along the scratches to cover over the black of the underlying plackky, but don't build it up too thick. If the paint is too thick or uneven wipe along the scratch with your finger (in a clean rubber glove)! You're aiming to keep the primer below the top surface of the surrounding paint but thick enough to lose the black marks.
Leave for a couple of days and then go over the top with the Suzuki matched paint using the small brush again. This time build the paint up so that it's above the surface. When dry, gently sand over the repair with 2000 wet and dry wetted with lots of ordinary hand barsoap. If you're careful you'll get the top surface smooth enough so that a brisk polish with T-Cut will leave perfect results.
Another option is fill the scratches right up with the primer, sand back using the soap method again, and then repair with a spraypaint. Suzuki may do an aerosol in your colour.
There is also a UK company (that have a website) that reckon they can match every bike colour but I've forgotton their name!
I managed to drop the kwack after taking it off the paddock stand , thinking the side stand was down i started leaning the bike over untill it went past the point of balance and i only had hold of it by the grab handles on the back 
, all ive done is scratch the generator cover luckily none of the bodywork touched down !
, all ive done is scratch the generator cover luckily none of the bodywork touched down !cinqster, thanks fo the very detailed descrption of a repair process. I will get the required materials and give it a go.
Still smarting from feeling a total twit for dropping it in the first place! What the hell was I thinking putting all that pressure to tighten the mushroom bolt with the bike on a piddly side stand.
Doh!
Anyway, your reply has given me hope that I won't have to shell out for a new tail to have the bike mint again. Better also go shopping for a paddock stand!
Cheers
Still smarting from feeling a total twit for dropping it in the first place! What the hell was I thinking putting all that pressure to tighten the mushroom bolt with the bike on a piddly side stand.
Doh! Anyway, your reply has given me hope that I won't have to shell out for a new tail to have the bike mint again. Better also go shopping for a paddock stand!
Cheers
Good luck with it.
I nearly dropped mine on our maiden voyage a few weeks back
I got to a t-junction at the top of a very steep hill and went to put my left foot down only to find that there was a dip in the road and the road surface was 6" lower than I expected! Only just managed to keep the bugger upright as I stood spread-eagled holding onto the brake and clutch.
I've now found that this is a common problem for me as such junctions have this dip where drivers have wheelspun away and worn the tarmac due to shoddy clutch control. Is it just me or do other people notice it?
I think that it's made worse by the fact that my bike has a very long wheelbase and is wide and low, hence my long legs aren't straight when supporting the bike!
I nearly dropped mine on our maiden voyage a few weeks back
I got to a t-junction at the top of a very steep hill and went to put my left foot down only to find that there was a dip in the road and the road surface was 6" lower than I expected! Only just managed to keep the bugger upright as I stood spread-eagled holding onto the brake and clutch.
I've now found that this is a common problem for me as such junctions have this dip where drivers have wheelspun away and worn the tarmac due to shoddy clutch control. Is it just me or do other people notice it? I think that it's made worse by the fact that my bike has a very long wheelbase and is wide and low, hence my long legs aren't straight when supporting the bike!
Using Rivergirrls signon but It's not her writing this.
For plastic repairs, I have used a small company in reading, Berks called Plastec. Broke plastic completely on the lower fairing of my YZF750 about 4 years years ago and they repaired it for around 90-100 quid if I remember correctly. Superficially perfect, just what was required.
Don't know their number but look in MCN adverts for details under plastic repairs.
For plastic repairs, I have used a small company in reading, Berks called Plastec. Broke plastic completely on the lower fairing of my YZF750 about 4 years years ago and they repaired it for around 90-100 quid if I remember correctly. Superficially perfect, just what was required.
Don't know their number but look in MCN adverts for details under plastic repairs.
Bikebitz in Yateley in Hampshire import touch up pens from the USA which are a direct match for all modern Jap bikes and are approved by them as well.
They are very simple to use and if memory serves they cost about £4 each. May be worth giving them a call.
I think the pens are called "Colorite".
Hope this helps.
They are very simple to use and if memory serves they cost about £4 each. May be worth giving them a call.
I think the pens are called "Colorite".
Hope this helps.
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