Triumphrat

04-11-2005, 11:24 AM

So I was pricing seat cowls, every dealer wants $200, and nobody seems to have a cheap used one to sell, so I figured, why not make my own?
Now before you go thinking, oh god, some hack is going to make some POS lump instead of forking out the cash to get a quality part, take a look at the pics.
I used 2" tape to form a base to lay out a pan inside the fairing. Then came 3 layers of glass and a aluminum insert for the locking pin (sorry, didn't take pics of the first part). Then I used 3 layers of min. expanding foam to form the shape of the cowl, then 3 more layers of glass. A thin layer of filler to smooth, and presto (minus paint) a rear cowl in 1 day, and $30. Provided I can find some paint for under $170, I will be quite happy with the project. If you want to try it, please make sure to tape your fairing....it makes clean up nice, and won't leave filler and fiberglass resin everywhere.
****disclaimer....if your a hack an try this and then f-up all your bodywork, its your own fault******

<IMG SRC="
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...iumphcowl6.jpg
[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y142/stang68001/Triumph%20Seat%20Cowl/triumphcowl5.jpg">

[ This message was edited by: stang68 on 2005-05-23 11:45 ]

got_twisties · 04-12-2005, 11:57 AM

Looks good, post up when it is painted. I personally like spending the $200 :razz:

kuhlka · 04-14-2005, 02:48 PM

Ah yes, but now he can use that piece to make a mould and start making carbon fiber seat cowls...

04-18-2005, 10:32 AM

Ahh yes... anyone for a carbon fibre seat cowl?? $150 each??? Seriously, I'll have to look into it, I just need to find the carbon fibre.

PS .... haven;t had much time to look for paint..... anyone have any leads on some???

[ This message was edited by: stang68 on 2005-04-18 08:34 ]

05-10-2005, 02:26 PM

The dealesrship can look up your year/model and give u a number that can be matched at any paint supply.

05-10-2005, 02:26 PM

The dealesrship can look up your year/model and give u a number that can be matched at any paint supply.

05-12-2005, 11:34 AM

I Did find the "warm Silver" paint code, however it was $60 for a 1/2 pint.... then i have to buy primer, reducer, and clear.... it gets to costing more than buying a cowl. SO... I bought a stock cowl, I can't believe the engineers at triumph let that thing out of the factory! The lines hardly match, and there is about a 1/4" gap all the way around.
:evil:

:hammer:

:evil:
So back to the drawing board, I found a can of auto paint that matches very close, but not enough to make my cowl solid silver.... so it's getting a custom union jack, straight from the rattle can. I will post some more picks as it progresses. I have found if you take your time and by GOOD masking, a rattle can job can look just as good as a pro shops.
I still need to peel of the rear masking over the red, then it gets a blue coat, sand, and clear.

05-23-2005, 01:42 PM

AND THE PAINT IS COMPLETE. Not bad for a rattle can job. I did have numerous attempts and one restart after paint leaked through my masking and ruined a 90% complete job. I don't think it looks half bad, what do you all think??
:-D

:-D

[ This message was edited by: stang68 on 2005-05-23 11:47 ]

legionaire · 05-23-2005, 05:13 PM

I think it looks great!!! How about some pics of it on the bike??

Hinckley · 05-23-2005, 09:46 PM

I think it looks very nice! You did a great job!