| Author | Message | ||
     Mikethediabetic |
Hey guys, I'm sure this has been done before but if it hasn't then great. So it started out that I wanted something new and different and custom on my X-1 (as if the X-1 isnt different as it is), and I landed on wanting a color matched seat cowl. After some research I have found that they are very hard to come by and if you do find one, they are pretty expensive. So I decided to make my own, figured it couldn't be that hard. And it wasn't! So anyway, here are the pictures so far. Obviously its not finished yet but you can get the basic idea of how it looks so far. If there is enough interest I will write up a full tutorial on how to do this so you guys can make your own. So far it has only cost me about $25 to make this. Let me know what you guys think!   | ||
| Xl1200r |
Mike - what are your plans to smooth out the top side? I'm no stranger to fiberglass and have thought about making a tank cover for S1/S3/M2 tanks, but can't figure out how to get a smooth surface on top without tons of bondo. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
well i am going to sand down the glass as much as possible before i hit the bondo. the surface isnt that bad as it is. so i will definitly use some bondo. prob not too much tho. we will see. | ||
| Gixxer86g |
Very cool! You can probably use a high build primer. BTW, how do you plan on mounting the cowl? (Message edited by gixxer86g on February 08, 2012) | ||
| Ocbueller |
Have always wanted one, just can't swing the cost. Post away, please. SteveH | ||
| Nwrider |
I had similar idea and was watching videos on laying up fiberglass. You could use that as a model.. after its all smoothed out with bondo, primer and paint. You could make mold of it and lay up fiberglass in gel coat. Smooth as glass no paint needed if you tint the gel coat. Then you could make me one too.  Nice work! | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Well I am glad people are liking it so far. I am going to hit some sanding and bondo tonight and see what I can come up with. I am planning on fabbing up some very simple "L" brackets that are epoxied to the inside of the seat cowl and wrap under the lip of the seat. It will attach with 1 screw on each side. I will do a full write up with pictures when i am all finished. | ||
| Jim2 |
That is a nice looking seat cowl. Can't wait to see the finished product. You shouldn't sand the glass it will start to shred the fibers. You should fill, then sand the filler and stop before you get to the glass. Then fill again, and sand the filler. Repeat until you have baby smooth surface with no pin holes. Then primer and sand. Repeat if you still see pin holes. Then paint and clear coat. It sounds like alot but it's really not and you have a small part your working with. The results will be professional. There are light weight fillers that sand easy. The airplane guys use them. Probably also available at boat stores. The Gelcoat idea sounds like a good one. Gelcoat is easy (relatively easy) to sand and quite durable. However, gelcoat is porous and will absorb moisture over time. It must be waxed regularly to prevent this. The moisture over time will experience freeze and thaw cycles and eventually will start to crack and craze the gel but that may take 10 years so it still may be a good option. But the biggest problem with gel coat is it will Yellow from the suns UV Rays. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
thats good advice jim. i have been bondoing for a couple hours now. these pesky pinholes are very nnoying. i am going to prime and sand soon. if i have time i will take a progress pic. | ||
| Qzpm150 |
Very cool idea. I was thinking of shorting the seat but I have a girl that likes to ride every once and a while so this would be a good solution. I see you taped the seat, did you use the actual seat to make the mold? were you worried about the fiberglass getting on the seat? I am also curious on how you are going to mount it looks awesome so far | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Here are some progress pics. This is after a little bit of bondo and some sanding. I shot some white primer over it to see the pin holes and whatnot. You can get an idea of how its going to look.   | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Qzpm150: to answer your questions, yes i did use my seat as the mold. First i covered the whole seat with masking tape, then on top of that i put a layer of metal ducting tape, then on top of that i put a layer of vaseline. the seat was completely unharmed and the mold popped off easily. i am going to attach is with L brackets epoxied to the inside of the cowl and wrap unde the seat lip and will hold on with 2 screws. i will do a full write up with pics and steps when i am finished. | ||
| Hogluvr |
Looking good!!  | ||
| Purpony |
very nice... great work! | ||
| Qzpm150 |
Very clever idea. Definitely going to make one now. Cant wait to see the finished product! | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Thanks for the suport guys. i am going to do a couple bonus things to it that are not necesary but will help the overall product. First i am going to put a thin felt-like layer on the inside of the cowl so there is no chance of damaging the seat with vibrations and the glass. I also migh put a thin edging around th whole thing to protect the edges. Now my next question is what color do i paint it?! i am thinking either to try and match the factory blue or paint it aluminum and then hit it with some sand paper to give it the brushed look to match the tail section. What do you guys think? | ||
| Jim2 |
Wow, looking very professional! If the edges are thin and you are worried about cracking and chipping, I can tell you how the model airplane guys do it. For canopies and hatches they cut thin strips, 1/8" to 1/4" wide of 1.5mm or so birch plywood or aircraft grade spruce (can get at the hobby shops). They then glue the strips on the inside of the item even with or extending past the edge of the item. Then sand flush with the bottom edge. It can be rounded if desired or kept square but the main thing is that it's now slightly thicker and stronger at the most vunerable edge. Of course they do this before the finish sanding and painting occurs. Another way they do it is to sometimes just use a mixture of micro-ballons or chopped cotton and epoxy(don't want to breath this stuff because it is small enough to clog your lungs) instead of wood to build up the edge which can then be sanded and/or contured if desired. Without adding the micro-ballons the epoxy won't sand. With it, if mixed generously enough it can be sanded. Can't wait to see the finished product on your bike. My vote is to match the color of your plastics but of course that is art at that point and very subjective. | ||
| Dutch_x1 |
Mike Very nice To you're question about the paint you might take a look at the covers from my previous and current x1 .just to get a idea how a painted cover looks like Flat black x1 December 04-2011 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/43/ 43.html?1327628925 Red racing stripe : november 09-2010 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/43/ 218.html?1325170132 (Message edited by Dutch x1 on February 12, 2012) | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
ok, im almost done. here is a picture of it painted. i tried my best to match the factory blue but i think its a little dark. I have not wet sanded or clear coated yet. but i think it might be a little too dark. stay tuned lol.  | ||
| Qzpm150 |
I think it looks good. Can't wait to see if finished and on the bike. | ||
| X1_rider |
I like it as well, very nice work. | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
OK ITS FINISHED! So here are some finished pictures of the cowl on the bike. I think it turned out pretty good. The paint matches pretty well too. it definitly changes the look of the bike a little bit. I will eventually post a thread with a step by step guide on how to build one if people are interested. What do you guys think?!    | ||
| X1_rider |
I really like it, you do nice work. Think you might be selling some? | ||
| Mikethediabetic |
Thanks X1_rider. I did think about selling some but i dont know if i would be able to. This seat cowl looks real good but there are some imperfections with it that are fine with me but i would not feel comfortable selling to someone. maybe if i somehow perfect the process i would think about selling them. For right now i am not tho. i would encourage people to try it themselves tho. it was a fun project | ||
| Ltbuell |
Definitely a big improvement and a great job.Usually the first one has its "issues" and that's where you know what and how to improve the next one.Always a learning process.Lt | ||
| X1_rider |
OK, I'll keep an eye open for your full write-up thread and maybe eventually try it on my own. Once again, great work, I think it looks awesome. | ||
| Jim2 |
Very nice. That's a great looking bike. | ||
| Nwrider |
Turned out beautiful. Nice work! | ||
| Buellathebuzzer |
it looks great and i'd love to read the step by step. in particular, how it attaches. | ||
| S1owner |
Another well done job by the ones who keep Buell alive! | ||
| Qzpm150 |
That looks sick! Cant wait for the wright up. I like that shifter btw |
