Author |
Message |
T9r
| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 07:54 am: |
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Has anyone else been having this problem with the plastic on the XBs? The bike has 10k miles on it and only sits outside when traveling or when ridden to work (sitting in parking lot). The rest of the plastic on the bike is okay. It has done this in a matter of only 1-2years, is it typical?
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Crashcourse411
| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 08:29 am: |
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Mine is the same way, even with weekly washes and using Armor All. |
Lovematt
| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 08:42 am: |
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If you have been running the bike for a bit of time (say over an hour) you should note how hot that area around the lights get (BE CAREFUL WHEN DOING THIS!)...those panels are taking quite a beating. This heat from the light is likely to be harder on the plastics than exposure to the sun or the elements on the material. I was surprised the first time I checked this myself. If you use a silicone based detail spray that may help...plastics need to get moisture and "lubricants" added back to them as they are continuously drying out...especially in harsh environments that these operate in. Mine don't look too bad but I spray them every 2-3 days and give them a quick wipe off leaving some of the spray on the plastic portion while completely cleaning the glass. |
T9r
| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 09:08 am: |
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It does give it a custom look though. I guess they could be painted as well. There is a paint to paint plastics and it looks wet. I have warmed my hands up a time or two off the headlights |
Vader
| Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 11:32 am: |
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I'm pretty sure that I have seen carbon fiber replacements for the inserts around the headlights. A little pricey, but it would take care of the problem. |
Charlieboy6649
| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 12:23 am: |
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Back to Black, wally world. Like $2... Works for me! |
Typeone
| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 01:40 am: |
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I have warmed my hands up a time or two off the headlights sorry, off thread topic but... dont you just love it when its sooo cold out and its just you and the bike on the open road and you need her for heat? (engine, lights, exhaust, whatever) i do. feel one with the machine. |
T9r
| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 07:29 am: |
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I don't keep both lights on all the time, so why are both trim parts discolored? It could be from just headlight heat is my thought. |
Aldaytona
| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 09:44 am: |
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It's easy to fix, wipe down with prep solvent, tape, shoot with Harley-Davidson TEXTURE engine paint. Better than new. I've seen lots of them when I worked at the dealership, both from Florida and points north, they all seem to dull out equally. |
Interex2050
| Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 - 12:53 pm: |
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The same occurs on my bike. What I have found is that a lot of it actually happens to be just road grime, once I wash the bike they look a little better. To get them to "mint" condition I use Vinylex and just apply 3-4 coatings and that keeps them looking fresh for a week or so. |
Tcskeptic
| Posted on Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 01:00 am: |
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You might want to try a product like Mother's Back to Black. I have tried it based on the recommendation of a friend, but I only have about 3 days of experience with it under my belt. It looks like it may work so far. One thing though, be sure to buff any excess off or it turns into a crap magnet. |
Buelltroll
| Posted on Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 03:24 am: |
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WD40 works just as good on these as it does on the engine cases. I'm a carbon fiber freak n was gonna buy the 115$ each replacements until I notices just how dried and crystalized the stock ones were n decided against it. (Message edited by buelltroll on September 25, 2005) |