bespoke plastic design...

Since I smashed the front of my new Kawasaki Versys http://www.kawasaki.co.uk/versys/def...sp?Sub=654AAA5 I've been having a think (thunk)...

Rather than go for the complete streetfighter, ( me being rather mechanically inept), I've realised that I can keep the undamaged headlight etc all as-is.

As I was 45 degrees when I hit the chav-car, the screen, screen brackets and sub-frame took the hit. The only parts that really need replacing are the left and right fairings, the front sub-frame bit that holds the lights, the upper cowling that hides the light and cables and the screen brackets and screen.

Sooooooooo... what I was thinking, is that I replace the front sub-frame and get the lights straightened out instead of pointing at 11 o' clock, which leaves me £400 odd quid to design a new front fairing, incorporating a low-rise "front screen" but all in ebony black plastic. Imagine a stealth bomber... naked-but-not Versys.

Here's the problem. I don't know of anyone that'll do a bespoke plastic molding. It would need to be a small firm I think. So, I'll be phoning around over the next few weeks to see if there's anybody out there.

Any streetfighter / project experts out there who have experience of this?

Also... (longshot) does anyone know a plastic molding firm that might be of use???

Looks like the loud exhaust might have to wait for a few months

Thanks for any help

make one yaself with some fibre glass!

I think you will find the tooling cost for injection moulding prohibitive. Great for 1000's pcs, not so good for a 'one off' That said, if you come up with a good design, you may be able to sell it... maybe even make money
Anyhoo, I'm not sure how big a part they can do, but these guys are pretty good for small runs... you need to give 'em 3D data though.
www.protomold.com

Fibreglass may be your best bet

HTH

Laters....

eyethankewe!

I hadn't thought of FG and protomold is as good a start as any 've tried so far. I think the FG route may be easier though... surfboard and canoe makers reckon they can do anything with it...

GPR would be perfect. i'd replace it with something different if i was you, I think the back and sides look ace- but that front light just doesn't work!

[northwind]

Most plastics are formed around a metal mould, meaning minimum runs in the hundreds... Fibreglass all the way. If you're moderately handy and very patient you could do it yourself- and once you've done it in fibreglass, you can reuse your buck and do it in carbon fibre

[squirrel_hunter]

Originally Posted by northwind

Most plastics are formed around a metal mould, meaning minimum runs in the hundreds... Fibreglass all the way. If you're moderately handy and very patient you could do it yourself- and once you've done it in fibreglass, you can reuse your buck and do it in carbon fibre

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? (Tygaboy)

[northwind]

He's a good example- but he's really good. He's on the cover of one of the US magazines this month btw

[squirrel_hunter]

Yep he's very good!

He's the reason I have a copy of the Fibreglass Manual...

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

Yep he's very good!

He's the reason I have a copy of the Fibreglass Manual...

is there really a fibreglass manual? or are you taking the p1ss?