Fairings

Hi,
I'm just getting back into riding again after taking off a few years due to some bad accidents.  Decided to start off again with an older bike.  I have put about $1,000 into it to ensure the engine is completely sound and the bike itself is safe.  I haven't been too worried with the cosmetics of the bike until i know ill be totally comfortable with it.  I have started looking for replacement fairings.  My question is this:  A lot of the fairings on the bike have cracked where the screw hole is  so you can no longer screw it down.  Is this repairable somehow, or does it render the fairing useless at this point? The fairings also have some scraping, is that fixable by sanding or???  Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!  

all of those problems are solvable without having to buy completely new fairings. You might not spend as much money as you would on new fairings but you'll be putting in a bit more work to fix them yourself. Here's a link to get you started...

http://www.sportrider.com/suspension_settings/hands_on/146_9510_damaged_bodywork_repair/index.html

what kind of bike are you trying to fix?  

welcome back.
what do you mean by "an older bike?"
if you've already put $1000 into it (on what?) you might end up paying more to get the thing going than it's worth overall.
so, let's start with the bike:
make, model, year?  

Its a 1989 Kawasaki Ninja 750.  The work I did on it was what I felt I needed to feel comfortable and completely safe on it.  The guy rejetted the carbs for me, new back tire, gave the chain some love, new break pads and rotors.  A good portion of the expense was also towards attempting to lower the bike as I was having a hard time reaching the ground.  Im finally getting the bike this weekend since its been in the shop since I got it 3 weeks ago.  I was also informed today that he was not able to locate a lowering kit for my bike, so he was only able lower the front forks about 1.5 inches for me.  so it will probably be alot less then my orginal quote of $1000 for all the work he was going to do to it.  

thanks for the link, do you think this would work on an area where there is a bit more tension, i.e., screw holes?  I guess I'd pretty much go the same route as these instructions and then redrill the screw hole?  Does seem like alot of work, lol.  

you can also look up the keywords streetbike repair and other forms of that to find related links on youtube. either way, you're either going to be spending alot of money or alot of time.  

wow an '89 ZX-7?
I'd love to have one of those. actually, i want a '91.

anyways, it will be pretty much impossible to find bodywork for that bike, and if you do it'll be a fortune (like a couple thousand bucks I'd bet).

so...I'd look at maybe getting an aftermarket set of race plastics (if you can find them) and having them painted. cut holes for the lights.  

where can i get after market plastics?  the hole will match and everything?  

right here:
www.airtech-streamlining.com  

i agree with dave, you can sink alot of money FAST into a bike. but if you have someone that is crafty with fiberglass.. you can fix all those fairings like new. you just have to be careful not to make them too stiff, you still want them to flex..... its alot of work.. but its a way to fix them..  
low-life society

you have to be careful with where you buy after market fairings at.. most everyone that i know that has ordered them from Hong Kong have had fitment problems and we have had to mod them to fit and line up right.  
low-life society

Yea I know all about buying after market fairings. I have some on my bike right now and I put some on my buddies F4i. They say they come pre drilled, but they are not perfect. You will have to do some drilling to make them fit right.  

steve, is that the Colin McRae replica fairings you got?  
low-life society

The rally racer?? Not that I know of. I got them cause I haven't seen anyone else with them before.  

oh i gotcha, they just look very close. maybe not though. lol even if so. i haven't seen them around.  
low-life society