After further contemplation, and a few beers, I've decided on a different direction for Project 14. I think the bike will have a better shot at getting the look I'm after if it's finished in the original Pearl Crescent White. To accomplish that I would need to raid the parts hoard to put together a full set of clothes — tank and body panels. That makes this a bitsa bike, bits o' this and bits o' that. All of these bits will need reconstructive surgery, some more than others. Below is the bike with all of the parts repaired and test fitted prior to sending off for paint. Better to get everything plumb and square at this stage.
Here we have a left-side turn signal port which had a chunk missing from the lower left side of the opening. I cut out a section from another fairing that I have on hand just for pieces like this.
A combination of bonding, plastic welding, shaping and sanding and we have a successful repair. Next I dribble liquid Plast-aid into the factory seam surrounding the factory plug — this filler plug was Honda's solution to fitting the DOT-mandated turn signals for U.S. market bikes. I want that seam to disappear, and my painter will finish the job by bondo-ing the seam.
A combination of bonding, plastic welding, shaping and sanding and we have a successful repair. Next I dribble liquid Plast-aid into the factory seam surrounding the factory plug — this filler plug was Honda's solution to fitting the DOT-mandated turn signals for U.S. market bikes. I want that seam to disappear, and my painter will finish the job by bondo-ing the seam.
This is the tail light cowl and it was a mess — lots of cracks and both upper mounting tabs missing, which had to be fabricated with scrap ABS. These seams are all plastic welded with ABS rod.
Plastic welding is approached very much the same as metal welding: V-groove both sides of the crack and melt welding rod into the grooves. Then the weld is filed and sanded smooth, followed by filler, primer and paint.
Plastic welding is approached very much the same as metal welding: V-groove both sides of the crack and melt welding rod into the grooves. Then the weld is filed and sanded smooth, followed by filler, primer and paint.
Right side mid-fairing.
These cracks tell the tale of a crash sometime in the past. The upper duct was all but separated from the fairing due to the impact.
Many of these panels are salvageable. But it requires patience and the right tools — and professional painting is very expensive these days.
These parts will now go to the paint shop where the repairs will get a final finishing and the color coat applied. Then they will come back to me, be temporarily mounted on the bike so I can apply the decals, and then given back to the painter for the clear coat application.
Lots of time, effort and money involved in the final stage of bringing this Interceptor back to life.
These cracks tell the tale of a crash sometime in the past. The upper duct was all but separated from the fairing due to the impact.
Many of these panels are salvageable. But it requires patience and the right tools — and professional painting is very expensive these days.
These parts will now go to the paint shop where the repairs will get a final finishing and the color coat applied. Then they will come back to me, be temporarily mounted on the bike so I can apply the decals, and then given back to the painter for the clear coat application.
Lots of time, effort and money involved in the final stage of bringing this Interceptor back to life.
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