Missing right side panel on Seca 550-fabricate out of glass?

Like many Seca owners, I am missing the right side battery cover, on my 1982 XJ550RJ.

Seems there aren't any spares around, and when there is they are massively expensive. My PO is still going to look for me, but I'm not holding my breath.

Anyone have experience fabricating new parts out of fiber glass or similar materials? Just wondering. Like perhaps using an example to make a quick cement mold of the shape, then filling the mold in with a sheet of fiberglass?

Never touched the stuff before... I guess I'm just wondering if its worth investigating...

 

I have a 1982 yamaha maxim 400 that is also missing the upper right side cover . but i am currently making one out of fiberglass. I made a template from a piece of cardboard copied from the left side but reversed the cardboard and it seems to look like it belongs. I will post pictures of the project when I am finished.

 

Sidecovers aren't that difficult to find, you need to stay on top of eBay or try a good salvage yard. There have been TWO sets for the '83 (black w/orange & maroon graphics) that have come up and sold for just under $60 recently. I think there's still a set for an '82 out there unless the auction ended. You can order a brand-new black one ('83) from MamaYama for around $95. You can also try: http://www.motolane.com and see if he offed the sidecovers from the '83 he has (I bought the tank.) They're out there, but they ARE elusive. I think you can find one easier than fabricating one, though. Put a post in "Buy, Sell, Trade" too and see if anybody here has one.

 

Thanks for the heads up bigfitz. I emailed motolane - we'll see.

 

Please do flash, I'd like to see how it turns out.

 

Luckily enough we have a guy here who does them in fibreglass for about $70-80 NZD, I have 3 x XJ550 and every one of them is mssing the right hand sidecover

I got set made in carbon fibre as well

 

ha, I came here today to post the same thing. Whats the best way to cut the fiberglass?

 

Caved in and ordered it from motolane for $78 after shipping.
I'm sure there are better deals out there - but I'm getting excited about my paint plans for the bike, and all those plans go down the toilet if I can't get that part in the spring.

 

Why is it -always- the right cover? I just don't see what is so special. Maybe they are taken off more often? I'm missing mine as well.

 

Re: Missing right side panel on Seca 550-fabricate out of gl

How old hot rodders did 'glass hoods, doors, boxes etc.

Borrow an old cover, carve a replica base "form" out of Styrofoam. Cover the male form with 2 layers of 'glass, trim it, apply gel-coat, sand 'er down and paint. You can always dig out the excess foam later.

Be sure to allow for attachment ears / holes. Cost: around $30-$40 for a new pair of covers that are better than oem plastic.

 

we used to make engine cowls for r/c planes by shaping them from styrofoam, cover with 3 layers of glass then trim the rough edges and pour gas in them to dissolve the foam