Wish I was at the clear coat stage!! I cant wait to get it in primer. This phase has been too ugly for too long, but it’s a good feeling to once again have a solid tub.
To do list, not in order
- matching sidecar wheel (done)
- matching sidecar windshield, need dark tint to match what is on the bike (rifle). Champion doesn’t make one, not sure if a company will make a one off?
- repair or re-upholster the seat and arm rests.
- modify sidecar fender to accept tombstone taillight.
- finish bodywork on sidecar and fender
- paint sidecar and fender, pinstripes/ artwork?
- wire and plumb bike/sidecar
-reinstall interior
- mount sidecar
………slow and steady, one day at a time
Bad day today, took two steps backwards after a swift kick in the ……….
On Friday were coated the repaired areas with the fiberglass body putty and allowed the tub to sit for two full days. At noon today the surface was rock hard and appeared to need minimal sanding. As the sanding began the paper clogged quickly and the rock hard clear surface turned brown and gummy. After four hours and several dozen sanding discs were back to where we were Friday morning.
We mixed the catalyst into the material per the instructions on the can and were initially impressed with how the product spread. Still not sure what happened. Plenty of catalyst was used, it was thoroughly mixed and we allowed two days to fully cure.
I don’t want to repeat the frustration we faced today and haven’t heard back from Amazon or the seller. Going to look online for data sheet or other related materials.
Any thoughts or theories on why this happened and/or what I need to do to prevent a reoccurrence would be greatly appreciated?
First thought: If temperature was lowish, cure time stretches out, even with catalyst.
2nd Thought: Maybe Jon over at TSC has some clues, @sidecarusa , he does nice glass work, among other things.
The temperature was on the cool side and it was damp! We did recoat the areas yesterday and hope the warmer, less damp conditions, are the answer
thank you for your input
That application dried properly and sanded well.
warmer, less damp and more catalyst was the formula that worked for us.
Spent most of yesterday fine tuning lines and symmetry of the tub. More sanding and touching up today. Will have the tub in primer next week.
After that I’ll be working on the bike.
changing exhaust
installing bike side mounts
wiring bike.
im planning on getting everything reinstalled and joined, fully functional with the tub and fender in primer. Once that is done I’ll remove the tub and fender in order to paint them.
Full credit to my friend Phil for all his work, expertise and advice on the body work portion of the project.
This is looking great! 😎
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Thanks Sheath, feels like it will never end(body work) but getting closer to primer every day.
I spoke with Gustafsson Plastics in Florida today. Sending them my windshield for measurements. They are going to make a windshield for the sidecar to match what is currently on the bike.
Seat is going to upholstery shop out side of Keene NH next week.
Body work is a slow and tedious process for sure. It is also unforgiving. 😪
I spent a week pounding out a dented steel top for an old Scout 800. Finally got to the point of putting body filler on. Then spent another week sanding it off, putting it on, sanding it off, putting it on, sanding it off... Finally gave up and took it to a body shop. It was cheaper than all the body filler I wasted. 🤣
At least you are making real progress! 🍻
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
GRAVEYARD (side) CARS
PRIMER is now my favorite word in the English language!
Some of the primer was actually shot on April 1 which is kind of fitting.
Fender now accepts tombstone taillight. The tombstone mount was cut out of a crashed softail deluxe, fender and glassed into the sidecar fender still have to seal the inside of it.
Still a lot to but nice to have brought the frame and tub back from the dead
- That's impressive so far.
- Fibreglass does have the advantage in that it can be brought back.
- Well done.
Coming along pretty awesome! 🤩
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
Thanks guys. Going to take a bodywork break for a while.
Frame will be sand blasted and powder coated next week.
I’ll be putting on bike side mounts and working on wiring. May have to change the exhaust. Pipes look like they will interfere with the rear mount, I’ll know so sure next week.
This weekends project is a popsicle stick replica of the Eiffel Tower with my granddaughter for a school project. Still trying to work a sidecar into it, time will tell!
For inspiration. 😎
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
What a great way to see the city!
Thanks for passing this on
Seat and directional help needed -
The sidecar seat is almost in two pieces, the material is torn that connects the two halves. Is that the way all sidecar seats are made? If so what is the advantage of keeping it that way?
The front of the seat was attached with what looks like cheap gate hinges from a hardware store, would that be factory? Any better ways to mount/secure the seat and still allow access to the trunk area?
The sidecar has a spotlight and front directional. It does not come with a rear directional as far as I can tell. Is it standard to just utilize the bike mounted directional for right hand turns?
Thank you in advance for your input.
