How to get side covers to stay on

hey guys, when i bought the bike it had no side covers. I bought some and am in the process of painting them and soon ready to go on. One side had that rubbery black piece that the two knotches go into, and the other side doesn't. I was wondering how you guys go about putting them on properly so they don't go flying.

 

You should have 3 grommets each side, take one off the frame a match them at the hardware store (last resort the yammery)

 

Chacal has them. Not expensive. Can't remember exactly how much. But after my new paint job I thought it would really suck to see a freshly painted side cover sliding down the road.

 

Go to the Hdwe Store and get a handful of Rubber Grommets. What you'll pay for the whole lot you score at ACE Hdwe., will be far less than what you'll fork-over to Yamaha for one in a Plastic Bag with a Yamaha Label affixed.

Once you get the Side Cover on the Bike, ... step-back and figure-out how you can "Secure it" from:
1. Falling off
2. Getting swiped without a fight

If the Cover secures to the frame with a Phillips Fastener ... Swap the Phillips for a Stainless Cap Screw or a -- Anti-Tamper fastener. (Even if you need to buy a Tool.)

If the Cover just "Pops-off" ... Drill a small hole and discretely Tie-Wrap the Cover to the Frame.

XJ-Bike Side Covers look a lot better on your Bike than they do on EBbay of CraigsList ... or on some jamokes bike that didn't have covers until he spotted yours.

 

I just use the factory-correct grommets, bumpers and tab covers and immediately replace any that begin to split or even feel loose. Len has 'em and it's cheap insurance.

 

What would be the best fix if one of the hooks for the retaining tabs is broke

 

Fabricate!

Look at the world around you and find "In something" the Foundation for the Fabrication.
(The corner from most Tupper Ware containers makes a suitable Form.)

Using Tape and Cardboard to assist; create the missing appendage.
Products like "5-Minute Epoxy" and "JB Weld" are designed to allow you the flexibility to > Re-Grow < a missing Mount or repair a Side Cover.
A DREMEL Tool is used to give the Fabrication its final touches.

If you hit the SEARCH Function or Google; you will find an article containing the instructions for DUPLICATING a Broken-off part by using some FOAM
IMPRESSIONS.
You take a Foam Impression of the Part you need in Florist Shoppe Hydroponic Growth Medium. Using the Medium's Impression and CASTING a New Part.

I like to use a Screen Door Repair Kit.
I cut STRIPS of Screen, in various SHAPES.
Sculpture the Screen using a Clip Board and Needle Nose Pliers.
Then, I MIX ... a small amount of Epoxy and coat the Screen.
Hold the piece from sliding-around as it reinforces the Fabrication.
Where possible; let GRAVITY do the placement.

Once you have a New Appendage that is serviceable; "DRESS it".

Mix a small batch of Automotive "Glazing" Putty and give it Custom Face-lift.
Mix the Glazing Putty with a half a drop of extra Hardener.
It will make the Mix ... "Loose"
Spread it on and "Pretty-Up" ... F-A-S-T!!!
The extra hardener maxes the Mixture LOOSE to SPREAD ... quickly.
But there is LITTLE TIME to work with the loose Mixture before it begins to Cure.