Repairing your motorcycle fairing
Many a would be rider has purchased a used sport bike or touring bike with a cracked or broken fairing. The Idea you see, is to just buy a replacement part and viola! looks just like new. After all it's only plastic how much can that cost.
The truth is the ABS plastic that wraps modern motorcycles is very expensive. Many motorcycles have been totaled by the insurance company because of broken plastic. The top section of the fairing (not including the windshield or headlight) on my concours (see my earlier post on saving a windshield) cost almost a grand brand new and that's only one piece out of 7 plastic panels on that bike.
That's the bad news The good news is that ABS can be repaired . It requires the proper technique and supplies but if you are mildly handy with tools and sandpaper it is not out of the realm of the average rider. One of the best books on the subject is Kurt Lammon,s How to repair plastic body work.
This book covers everything from, is the part worth repairing, though various methods of joining plastic including proper glues and adhesives to plastic welding. Don't start your project without this book by your side.
Read more about this book in our new motorcycle book tab.