dombanks Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 was reading about sikaflex being better at holding on bodyskirts and random bits of glassfibre etc than usinf conventional screws? how true is this? surely the cycle wings take some serious abuse wouldnt the glassfibre just delaminate leving your wing on the road and a nicely glued on bit of glass fibre? only reason i ask is there is not a lot of room between my cycle wing stays (on an sdv so is part of the bit the top draglink fits into) and the tyres, cant even get my fingers through on 2 of them so a bolt is goig to be well tight and close to the tyre. i dont think ill be able to unbend them either and rebend them better? Quote
Bananaman Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 GF will not delaminate BUT you will need to increase the surface area of adhesion for a decent fix. Quote
SparkyB Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 I did sikaflex on my previous cycle wings and they lasted best part of a year (including a day at Marham when I got to max speed). When one did eventually depart it was due to the contact area being directly over the WF batch sticker, the 2/3 layers of GRP lifted which was enough for wing to depart. When I attached the GRP wings I keyed the surface on both the bracket and wing, they were well and truly attached (can't remember which grade of sikaflex i used though) I did try to stick carbon fibre wings on........but the less said about that the better Quote
Norman Verona Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 If you use some Bighead fasteners which are stuck to the wing with Sickaflex (or similar products) they will not depart until you cut the tie wraps. However you must ensure both surfaces are 100% clean of oil and fingerprints. To do this use Acetate (nail varnish remover) on both surfaces before apply the bonding. One of my front wings has been on 6 years now and is still like s**t to a blanket (whetever the origin of the word) Quote
Matt Seabrook Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 I know of more than one cycle wing that has gone flying past someones right earole due to being stuck on with it. I have glassed my arches on. Quote
Barry Ashcroft Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 My wings are fixed with sikaflex and have done 8000 miles and been 150mph no problems at all. I need to remove them to re-powder coat the brackets and it wont be easy. Prep is the key I roughed up the area I was using and then cleaned with panel wipe. Quote
stu999 Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 My wings are fixed with sikaflex and have done 8000 miles and been 150mph no problems at all. I need to remove them to re-powder coat the brackets and it wont be easy. Prep is the key I roughed up the area I was using and then cleaned with panel wipe. Agreed - it's all in the prep. One of my cycle wings finally let go a couple of weeks ago (or rather, just one stay did), after five years of abuse, 130mph+, curb hopping etc etc. On inspection, the only reason it let go was that the area to which the Sikaflex was bonded wasn't roughed up enough. I was happy enough to Sikaflex it back on! Quote
StuartMackay Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 Bigheads get my vote too, allow removal when needed for servicing etc Quote
dombanks Posted July 25, 2008 Author Posted July 25, 2008 cool thanks i think sikaflex 221 is the right one but ill look into it. I used that to put my alipannels on and they are well suck down so let me get this straight, rough up area = coarse grade sand paper to make it rough. remove all dust/ debris /grease/etc using a suitable organic solvent (got enough in the lab HPLC grade acetonitrile/methanol/acetone) use copious ammounts of the sikaflex to get a good area of bonding. Quote
StuartMackay Posted July 25, 2008 Posted July 25, 2008 ...and them laminate several layers of glassfibre over the whole lot Quote
dombanks Posted July 25, 2008 Author Posted July 25, 2008 cool. i will get this dam car finished lol Quote
Buzz Billsberry Posted July 26, 2008 Posted July 26, 2008 My wings are fixed with sikaflex and have done 8000 miles and been 150mph no problems at all. I need to remove them to re-powder coat the brackets and it wont be easy. Prep is the key I roughed up the area I was using and then cleaned with panel wipe. Ditto myself and Barry confirmed the road test in the USA Geeting the cycle wings off was pretty straight forward you need plenty of stanley blade a bit of care and time and I will be doing it again after those s***e Westfield cycle wings broke for the 4th time whilst I was in Le-Mans Buzz Quote
tex Posted July 26, 2008 Posted July 26, 2008 best and easiest way to clean the gf is to use a wire brush shaped like the chimney sweeps brush in the battery gun - makes short work of the dirt and grime - it took me ages to remove the old wings i had when the stays broke on the dax - i curse the stuff when i have to remove it but if you clean down the area well it will stay on. my stays were straight from dax but the wheel arch profile was arched - so in the center there was about an inch gap!!! plastered the stuff on - left to dry over night with tank tape holding to the desired postion and its on like $hit on a blanket Quote
Blatman Posted July 26, 2008 Posted July 26, 2008 QUOTE best and easiest way to clean the gf is to use a wire brush shaped like the chimney sweeps brush in the battery gun - makes short work of the dirt and grime You clean your girlfriend with a wire brush in a battery gun? She must be really dirty... You lucky b****r... Quote
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