| Author | Message | ||
     Reepicheep |
Anyone else with the 9sx having issues with fuel splashes damaging the plastics? On two occasions now, once with generic cheap high octane gas, and once with Shell VPower high octane stuff, the hose has "burped" at inopportune times and splashed the clear plastic airbox cover. The first time, I heeded the instructions in the manual (don't wipe with paper towel, cloth only), and as I was 5 minutes from home anyway, I just finished fueling and rode home and cleaned it. Except that it didn't. It had etched the plastic, made it look like frosted glass. So probably 2 hours with lots of Novus 3 and 2, and sore arms, and I had restored most of the polish (though I can't get right up under the rubber X or in between the letters). So yesterday, I was filling again, *trying* to be careful, and the stupid pump burped again. I had a paper towel over the end of the hose, but there was so much gas coming out that it came out other parts of the hose and once again splashed the airbox cover. This time, knowing I was in trouble anyway, I *instantly* wiped down the splash with the paper towel I had, but the airbox cover was *again* etched.  So once again, I had to polish the thing out last night. I am getting better at it, did it in about an hour, but it was a pain. My VIN suggests I was #60 off the line, and wonder if this is an issue with just my box, or if everyone sees it. I talked to my selling dealer, and they are at least willing to listen to me, but would like to make sure it is a genuine defect before fussing about forcing a replacement. If this is just the nature of the beast, I can deal with it. The flyscreen, which oughta be the same stuff, seems darn near indestructable, the mass of mashed bugs and incoming rocks left no marks whatsoever. It *seems* much harder the mar then the airbox cover. It has taken far harder shots then the airbox, and cleaned up to look like blown glass, just beautiful. I just did the whole cover with the Harley sealer glaze last night, we will see if that gives me any better spill protection. On the upside, the Novus 3, then novus 2, followed by the Harley plastic glaze sealer, does a great job of cleaning up the plastics. You can have pretty substantial damage and still recover it and make it look great. So anyone else getting etched by gas spills? | ||
| Glitch |
I was wondering about how a gas splash would affect the clear surlyn. I'm hoping either it's a bad cover you got that'll be replaced (nice to hear you're being listened to), and/or the Harley glaze works. It does make me wonder though about the fly screen. One would think they'd be the same, or if one was tougher, it's be the cover. You know they had to think about the gas splash when they were designing it. Glad it's not too badly damaged. I guess the rubber X is glued on? | ||
| Reepicheep |
The rubber X is glued on, and listed as "non replacable", though if I bet it could be reused if you were determined enough. I also wondered if it's something funny about Ohio gas formulations. The etching it does is painfully obvious on the clear plastics, but it would be visible on the solid colored plastics as well. | ||
| Mikej |
There's been some local talk about the winter grade gas causing issues in some cars or fuel injectors or fuel pumps in the last couple of weeks, but consider this an unconfirmed rumor at this point. There may in fact be something new in the gas that is having unforseen effects. Don't know. I do know that most bike owners will not tolerate having to polish out the tank cover everytime they get a little gas splashed on it. Keep us posted on what you learn. Side question: is the rubber-x required to be there? What is it's true function? Or would you be voiding anything if it was removed and if the bike was run without it? Devil's pundit here, just asking. | ||
| Ingemar |
Are you sure it mars the plastic and it isn't some kind of milky white film from an additive in the fuel? | ||
| Aldaytona |
You should see what gas splashed on a XB12R gold windshield does. Don't ask me how I know. Oooooops | ||
| Glitch |
is the rubber-x required to be there? It's just a rubber protector for the cover, in case you use a tank bag. It'll void the same thing as removing the Buell decals would void. | ||
| Mikej |
Ah, okay, dealer dependent then....  (comment mode off) | ||
| Glitch |
sumthin' like that  | ||
| Reepicheep |
I am 90% positive was etched into the surface. Even after polishing most of the damage off, there are still pits visible if you know where to look. You would think I would be able to fill a tank without hosing the bike down every time  | ||
| Glitch |
without hosing the bike down every time I wasn't goin to say anything. But since you brought it up... | ||
| Voto077 |
This has also happend to me. My XB9SX has 1000 mi on and there are two spots on the cover. Like you said looks like moisture or dew but is tough to take off. I think this is something that alot of xb9sx owners have experienced. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Novus 3, followed by Novus 2, followed by the Harley Glaze sealer does a great job of cleaning them up, it just takes some time and effort. Just follow the directions for each product. Spots would come off pretty easy. I will see if the sealer glaze protects it or not, and post back. | ||
| Ted |
maybe a coat of wax would help protect it. | ||
| Spiderman |
FYI that clear plastic is not Surlyn. | ||
| Glitch |
What is it then? | ||
| Spiderman |
SOme kind of plastic from Dupont. I forget the name of it. A quote from E.B. "They had found a clear plastic that we could mold, that was tough, durable and flexible... ...We have a great relationship with the plastic suppliers through the developing the Surlyn we use on our OTHER bikes." | ||
| Glitch |
SOme kind of plastic from Dupont. Well that narrows it down  Not that I didn't believe you, but if I knew what plastic was used I could find out what it can/can't stand up to. | ||
| Steveford |
Reepicheep, I've got a CityX airbox cover with some scratches on the top you can have for the cost of shipping. Drop me a note if you want it. Steve Ford P.S. NO, the scratches aren't road rash! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Email sent. Thanks Steve. | ||
| Countryx |
The gasoline damages the CityX airbox finish IMMEDIATELY on impact. 5 seconds didn't pass between a drop being splashed on the cover and me wiping it with a smooth bandana, wetted with spit no less. I had read about this occurring and have tried to be very careful but this particular pump delivered fuel at high pressure and it splashed back out of the tank.  | ||
| Spiderman |
Not that I didn't believe you, but if I knew what plastic was used I could find out what it can/can't stand up to. No biggie I have to find the article that said the type of plastic it is. Now an annonny could speak up and tell what it is for sure | ||
| Anonymous |
Xylex by GE. | ||
| Glitch |
Thanks | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.geplastics.com/press_pack/photo_gallery/photos_xylex.html http://www.geplastics.com/resins/materials/xylex/index.html (Message edited by mikej on October 28, 2004) | ||
| Glitch |
Don't forget to burp your air box! | ||
| Mikej |
http://www.designnews.com/article/CA152936.html
| ||
| Mikej |
http://www.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp I'll stop now as that should give everyone enough to chew on for awhile. | ||
| Reepicheep |
And just to once again clarify so people don't go nuts on this thing... The spots happens quick, but can be addressed in a pretty straightforward manner with the Novus 3 and 2 and the Harley glaze sealer. When you are done cleaning (takes minutes for spots, maybe 2 hours if you were to soak a quarter of the cover), it looks every bit as good as new. Overall, it is a *much* lower maintenance issue then something like maintaining the PM wheels... Solutions: 1) Don't get gas on the tank. 2) If you fail at 1, use Novus 3 and 2 and Harley Glaze Sealer to clean up the spots. I bet we can find something to protect it as well, to make the accidental splashes less of an issue. (Message edited by reepicheep on October 28, 2004) | ||
| Glitch |
Did you, are you, getting the cover posted above? Ya gonna experiment with waxes and glazes? | ||
| Joele |
One thing that comes to mind, to help protect the tank, is either the Llumar clear film or the 3M poly-film that is often used on the hoods and front fascia of automobiles - the issues with this might be: 1) How it looks afterwards 2) How easy would it be to apply 3) How expensive would it be I know that these films are designed to resist things like petrol. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Glitch... Yes, and yes. It'll be a test mule. Joele, that might be a solution. All the areas I keep messing up are compound curved surfaces. Is the stuff stretchy? There has got to be some sort of wax / sealer. I also did NOT have the harley glaze on during either splash damage. Ironically, I was on my way back from the Harley dealer with the glaze in my backpack during the second spill. Next tank of gas, I will test it post glazing. For all I know, the problem may already be solved on my bike as I type. The glaze is great stuff anyway, I think it is just a fancy wax with a solvent base. | ||
| Signguyxb12 |
If anyone is interested i could get the 3m protection stuff and cut patterns for the covers. The level of interest must offset the cost. email me badweb@bvsigns.com mike | ||
| Bomber |
in the Chicago area, at least, the vairous seasonal blends have created a series of witch's brews -- as well as increased at the pump costs -- if the eco folks in your neck of the woods swing as big a bat as they do here, I wouldn't be surprised if the locale specific blends are what's causing the problems . . .. . sadly, I've seen little, if any, data that indicates the blends do anything good for the environment, the engines that eat the stuff, or anything else with the possible exception of the elected officials who can point with pride to their efforts to protect our children (this from the municipality that helped give rise to unleaded gas, which mandates lead pipes from water mains to the house -- go figure) sorry for the rant -- | ||
| Lord_deathscyte |
hmmm....lead....good for the car bad for you.  . I was watching a special on Russia(on a canadian station) and a russian person pointed out "What is good for reindeer, is good for people." | ||
| Joele |
Joele, that might be a solution. All the areas I keep messing up are compound curved surfaces. Is the stuff stretchy? Yes, to a degree - should be able to apply to a tank but takes skill to do properly. My }buddy recommended that I just take the clear parts off and go get them shot with a couple coats of automotive clear coat. Makes sense really except for the big black X - don't want that clear coated. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Still have not had to gas up again, so have not tested it yet, but the Novus treatment (3 or 2 depending on the degree of damage) followed by the Harley cleaner glaze left an absolutely beautiful finish. I am willing to bet it also adds a significant degree of protection against fuel spills, I will get an answer this weekend. Worst comes to worst, it is really no different (and in fact easier) then maintaining a polished header or PM wheels. I'll try and find a way to avoid it if I can, but it is not a big deal. | ||
| Joele |
> [Not a big deal, but surely an annoyance. Saw a 3M protectant kit on eBay last night but don't think it covers enough surface to effectively prevent the spillage damage.] |
