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Armored Trophy
My fairing lowers had some pits from rocks hitting them. I thought about having the chips filled in and a repaint but figured it would just happen again so I armored the lowers.
It was not as difficult as it might sound. The toughest part was getting the lowers off but since I went the whole route of replacing the air filter and running new power wires for my console that part was done.
I used Tireplast although the Armor covering can easily be replaced with other materials without removing the fairing lowers. I used plastic blind rivets and that makes changing materials a 5 minute job. I cut a pattern first so that making up new armor covers is a cinch.
I drilled the fairing lowers and once that was done, used the black plastic blind rivets to attach the armor covers. Using plastic rivets you don't have to use a backing washer to protect the fairing material. Since the plastic rivets don't put as much pressure on the firing material, cracking won't be a problem. I used split rubber hose along the edges and this keeps air from flowing underneath the armor.
While it looks a bit utilitarian, changing the material can make the look smoother. I bought some black fabric covered rubber (both sides) that has a silky look to it. I'll cut some covers from that material and swap it out to see the different looks and compare them.
If you change material, you don't have to scrap the one taken off. Simply remove the plastic blind rivet and put the cover away. You can even go back to uncovered lowers, just use plugs to cover the tiny holes previously used by the rivets. The plastic rivets can be painted so with color match you would be hard pressed to see them.
One thing for sure, no more rock chips and nothing will get through the Armor.
Washing the bike is as easy as before. While I rearly do the water hose bucket method, spraying with something like Motul or another instant bike cleaner is the same as before. Then just hose off. You can run water from the top down to make sure everything washes clean. Since the rivets are inexpensive, even removing the armor covers one a week for cleaning isn't a big deal and take less time than it takes to get the water hose ready.
Here is the step by step:
1. If you want, keep the lowers on the bike although removing them makes things a bit easier.
2. Get some very thin felt. You can get it at any fabric store. Get enough to cover each fairing lower.
3. Soak the felt in water. Let it get completely wet.
4. Take the felt out of the water but do not wring it out.
5. Drop it onto the fairing lower and mold it with your hand to cover the fairing lower.
6. Cut the felt using the edges of the fiarling lower as a guide.
7. Transfer the felt pattern to the armor material.
8. Drill the rivet holes. You want to use small diameter rivets. 1/8" works fine. You want to drill the holes about 1/2: from any fairing edge. This prevents cracking from stress.
9. Lay the armor over the fairing lower and use some painters masking tape to hold it in place.
10 From the reverse side drill again going from the inside of the fairing out through the armor.
Then rivet the armor in place and you are done. Finish up with split rubber or plastic hose to keep high speed air from blowing under the armor.
As with anything, there are probably faster, cheaper, or better ways to do this. This worked for me.
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netmaker
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