Plastic screw point repair?

[Fallout]

Just after some suggestions for how to bodge a fix on some plastic. Where my left fairing (k1 gixxer) screws onto the air intake, I snapped off the connection. Either it was weakened, or I was just too zealous with the torque on the allen bolt. Stupid plastic fixings! :rolleyes: Here's a pic ...

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Suzuki-GSXR-1000-K2-2002-Left-RAM-Air-Intake-/00/s/MTA3MVgxNjAw/$T2eC16F,!)QE9s3HCn3DBQZ)JT,mO!~~60_12.JPG

The little black tab on the bottom right is what I've snapped off. A bolt goes through the fairing into this. I'm reluctant to buy a whole new air intake just because of a plastic screw point, so looking for ideas on a way to create a new one. Any suggestions welcome! :salut:

Edit: Oh, also I've lost all the plastic bits for the black tab. They fell inside the fairing when I broke them and haven't been seen since, so gluing it all back together isn't an option.

[Thunderace]

Can't remember what they're called but similar to jubilee clips but you can remove the screw, put one round the intake remove the screw/bolt site fairing flush over the hole and replace the screw. Could do same other side so they match? Unfortunatley getting a fabricator to replace the lug will probabaly cost as much as a new/second hand intake.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Suzuki-GSXR-1000-K1-Air-intake-ducts-Left-and-Right-/221129536320?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item337c58f340&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1288

That's both sides for a reasonable price. Or ring round the local breakers.

[Fallout]

Found one for £20 + £6 p&p, but it's money I don't want to spend when it's not a problem and the intake itself is fine.

That thing you're describing sounds interesting. Need a name though! I've been googling trying to find something which will take a bolt and can somehow be modified/glued/attached but can't google the right words to find something! I may have to just walk round B&Q and look for inspiration.

[rictus01]

go down B&Q or somewhere like that, buy a screw in thing (like this (http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/hardware/fixings/hooks___eyes/-specificproducttype-screw_eyes/B-and-Q-Screw-Eyes-Small-Nickel-Plated-9370764?skuId=9671469)) for a pound or two, use a longer bolt and stick a washer and nut on the end.

Cheers Mark.

[Fallout]

Cheers Mark. I'm thinking along those lines, but wouldn't be able to hold the bolt on the otherside, so it'll have to be glued on. I reckon something like this (http://www.diy.com/nav/fix/hardware/joinery/fixing_blocks/B-and-Q-Fixing-Block-9370833) could work. I could carve out the shape of a nut on the other side and glue one on, then glue this onto the air intake.

Was looking for something that could be modified that has the nut already attached to it and may be easier to fix on, but can't think of what to look for.

[rictus01]

I'm presuming the bolt is M4 thread? as the block you link to isn't threaded (and I'll also presume you don't have an M4 tap to hand) stick the bolt in the oven for 10 minutes (not so hot you can't hold it for a while, but hot enough you wouldn't want to....if you know what I mean) then screw it in the hole in the block gently, it should cut it's own thread, drop the whole thing in some cold water before removing the bolt and the thread should remain crisp.

Cheers Mark.

[Fallout]

Good tip mate. Not measured it, but M4 sounds about right. I'd get three of those blocks in a pack so I could test run a few methods. If I went with the 'glued nut on the other side of the block' method, I wonder if I could use the oven technique to kind of bake it into the plastic block to get a better grip.

[rictus01]

I wouldn't do that as the plastic type of those blocks is a bit soft, either localised heat to soften the direct area and squeeze it into the block with a set of mole grips then cover the top with areldite or something, or if gluing it use a plastic nut ( number plate nut & bolt would do) as that will stick better than steel to plastic.

Cheers Mark.

[Fallout]

Ahh, it's that whole thermosetting plastic shannanigans I learnt at school but have long since forgotten. I'm scared of plastic bolts because I get too torque happy. I suppose I could cut the hex shape into two of them then sandwich the bolt between two of them and glue those together. Then I'll have the plastic on plastic glue strength and a larger surface area to glue to the air intake. That may be a plan!

Thing is, I'm sure in the world of electronics there would be something perfect for this. i.e. plastic with a metal nut recessed. Maybe time to move on from diy.com to maplin and see what I find. :)

[Bibio]

http://www.screwfix.com/p/corner-braces-zinc-plated-25-x-25-x-16-5mm-pack-of-10/11529

pop rivet onto tube.

[Fallout]

I have a few of them kicking around. No idea how to pop rivet though. Suppose I could weld a nut onto the back of it too ... if I knew how to weld.

[Tomor]

i have a pop rivet gun if you need to borrow one?

[mikerj]

The simplest, non-destructive fixing I can think of would be a screw mountable cable tie (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300-mm-x-7-6-mm-SCREW-MOUNTABLE-CABLE-TIE-100-BLACK-/350597496183?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipmen t_Accessories_SM&hash=item51a13d3d77)

[Spank86]

I've got some fecking huge cable ties to give you if it'll help.

[Bibio]

had a thought. you could heat up one of those metal L brackets then while still hot push it threw the plastic from the inside. when it cools it should melt the plastic to the bracket. ooohhh and i know what your like so use needle nose pliers or your going to get burny burny fingers :-)

[ThePone]

How about a bit of fibreglass then drill a hole through it?

[Mark_h]

I've got a rivet gun and tap/die sets if you want to come over and have a play. Araldite and a bit of exhaust strap or a bracket would be simplest.