| Author | Message | ||
     Xb9er  |
What is the best way to remove the rivets that join together the three sections of the XB chin fairing? I don't want to tear it up just to put in screws to replace the rivets. Thanks. Mike. | ||
| Jarhead |
Drill them out with a drill bit slightly larger than the hole in the center of the rivet, then move up to the next size bit if needed. You will probably need to put vice-grips on the backside to keep the rivet from spinning. I've never done that to my chin fairing, but I have on other things, like the stock front fender on my old 73 sporty. Had to drill the rivets out to send the fender struts to get re-chromed. | ||
| M1combat  |
I have done that, and it works. I can't remember the bit I ended up with, but you will certainly need to use the vice grips. BTW... As replacements I used 3/4" spikes  . Looks great. | ||
| Xb9er |
That seems easy enough. Thanks for the tips. What I was thinking of doing would really have screwed up the plastic, I think.  Mike. | ||
| Trenchtractor  |
When I did mine, I used low speed for the fisrt two, then, getting cocky, I used high speed for the next one... It melted the plastic somewhat... It's ok, you can't see it because the damage is hidden by the new rivet, but I know it's there. Stay with low speed on the drill. | ||
| Xb9er |
OK. Another good tip. If I screw it up now then I have no excuses.  Thanks. Mike. | ||
| Xb9er |
Cool. Mission accomplished. That was much harder for me than I imagined it would be. Taking it slow is real important. There was only one rivet of the four that gave me some trouble and spun a bit, but the pieces came apart like butter. Thanks again for all the good advice. Mike.  |
