Triumphrat

bnugent · 04-23-2008

Hey guys --

Before I begin, let me tell you that I'm weirdly (as to some extent I'm sure we're all) anal-retentive about my Thrux. If there's a speck of dirt, dust or general grime on the tank I freak out and likely re buff and wax the whole thing. Just to give you a little background into the "severity" (eg. it's minor) of my "problem"

Today I noticed, God knows where it came from, a ding on my tank. I inspected it carefully and it's at least down to the primer below the gel coat and paint. The reason why I'm not crying in the corner after saying this is because it's about the size of a adolescent ant's head....(it's tiny)...

That said, I would like to give it some sort of tiny 'touch up' to take out the white speck from the otherwise flawless glass-like finish.

Any ideas. I don't want to apply any sub-par product on there. Most importantly, I want to cover it up to prevent any moisture/rust making it a bigger problem well down the line.

Thanks guys for any advice

ps-installed the New Thruxton fender elimination today too --- daddy likes

Maxwell Smart · 04-23-2008

no advice but I was curious how much the fender eliminator kit set you back?

johnny6035 · 04-24-2008

Check your local area for dent/chip repair companies. The cagers use them to repair minor chips etc on the front of cars. They usually offer a mobile service - they'll come to your home, prep, colour match and airbrush out any dings and then return a few days later to flat and polish. My missus used one in the UK called 'The Dent Doctor' on her little roadster and the finish was better than factory when he'd done. Wasn't too expensive either. If you decide to touch the paint up yourself put the tiniest spot on the affected area, wait about a week and then wet flat with 1500 grade paper. Then you shoud be able to buff it back up with a good rubbing compound - from an auto paint specialist - avoid the generic stuff from ordinary auto stores. I'm pretty sure Triumph do touch up paints - check with your dealer. What colour is your bike? If it's a non-metallic you should get a good result but for metallic paint I'd go to the pro's. Having said that, if you ride, you're gonna get dings - think of a all the stones and chippings the cages and trucks throw up. Before I polished them my fork lowers looked like they'd been in a sandstorm after a few burn ups round Scotland.

Good luck.

bshadbolt · 04-24-2008

I have used clear fingernail polish (the wife won't mind) in the past just to cover bare metal and prevent rust etc. If obviously won't hide the chip but it is easy and effective in terms of preventing further damage.

Cheers,

Brett

blackstar1965 · 04-25-2008

Are there DentPro shops out there in New York?
Paintless dent removal, usually while you wait. There are more companies like them if DentPro doesn't operate in NY.
Check the Yellow Pages.

theblackhand · 04-28-2008

Sorry about the ding. I'm picking up my silver Thruxton tomorrow from Triumph NYC in Soho and I am already paranoid about dings, chips and NYC knockovers.

I was planning on getting the fe kit from newthruxton.com as my first mod. How hard was it to install the newthruxton.com fender eliminator kit? Unfortunately newthruxton.com doesn't have the instruction manual available for download. I have basic tools and mechanical common sense but not a garage with lift, etc. and don't want to have to use a dremel or any cutting tools myself. Is the wiring really 'plug and play' or did you have to fiddle with a bunch of english wiring looms? Thanks.

bnugent · 04-28-2008

It was easy. Took me a couple hours. A good investment that you will need w/much of your work is a good quality torx and hex key set. I picked one up at Home Depot. The four screws you need to remove to take off the existing fender were locked on there tightly.

It's really just removing the seats, taking the existing fender off, installing the plastic plate in it's place, and 'plug-n-play' wiring harness. I bought it really for the pre-wiring...I hate wiring and, as you said, work of any sort of complexity on a NYC sidewalk gets annoying and difficult fast.

drop me an email at bbn3@columbia.edu directly w/any questions, esp. being in the city and all.

On the ding, it's actually not really a "ding" per say, just a miniscule chip. My girlfriend thinks I have OCD given how minor it is and how upset I was after I saw it.