Sidecovers

Norcoastal · Jan 29, 2020

What’s everyone’s preference on side covers?

Fiberglass or steel?

And are there benefits of one over another.

I would imagine fiberglass are light and steel are durable. Anything else?

NPeteN · Jan 29, 2020

Whatever was on your bike the year it left the factory

Cheesehead Commando · Jan 29, 2020

Norcoastal said:
What’s everyone’s preference on side covers?

Fiberglass or steel?

And are there benefits of one over another.

I would imagine fiberglass are light and steel are durable. Anything else?

I would love to find a pair of steel side covers for my ‘75 Interstate. Seems that fiberglass is all that’s left.

Onder · Jan 30, 2020

I figure that at some point AN will make EVERYTHING.
...hey I can dream no? :-O

Danno · Jan 30, 2020

I went with steel when I converted the SS clone from fiberglas tank to steel. Bought a pair of Indian-made steel sidecovers that needed a wedge cut out of both (and tig-welded back together) to even fit into the frame triangle. Eventually got a $50 refund from the seller which covered the welding, but I learned a lesson about Indian quality control.

Scout63 · Jan 30, 2020

Paint sticks better to steel. Don’t ask me how I know. My 72 glass Interstate cover has a handy storage bin that I think the steel ones don’t.

maylar · Jan 30, 2020

Scout63 said:
Paint sticks better to steel. Don’t ask me how I know. My 72 glass Interstate cover has a handy storage bin that I think the steel ones don’t.

I've painted both without problems. Need to get a good scuff for the primer on either one. My 74 steel cover has the pocket for a tool pouch.

ninja · Jan 30, 2020

Norcoastal said:
What’s everyone’s preference on side covers?

Fiberglass or steel?

And are there benefits of one over another.

I would imagine fiberglass are light and steel are durable. Anything else?

Hi there's a company not far from me that still uses the old methods and can make any panels by hand Inc side panels, in aluminium or steel.

Danno · Jan 30, 2020

maylar said:
I've painted both without problems. Need to get a good scuff for the primer on either one. My 74 steel cover has the pocket for a tool pouch.

As does the original on my '73. Mk III left covers have no pouch due to the transverse battery mounting.

Scout63 · Jan 30, 2020

maylar said:
I've painted both without problems. Need to get a good scuff for the primer on either one. My 74 steel cover has the pocket for a tool pouch.

Thanks Dave. Good to know. Ben

ILLF8ED · Jan 30, 2020

I change the fiberglass tank and side covers in my ‘72 to steel because I needed the steel tank and didn’t want to paint the original finish on my side covers.

luckyed · Jan 31, 2020

I didn't want to paint the original fiberglass covers on my Roadster either. (They were in excellent condition incl. the lettering). Wanted to have a color change option with a different tank. Bought a set of steel covers from India, and, as noted in a previous post, they didn't even come close to fitting. Compared the weight between the 2 sets, and the fiberglass were significantly lighter. (which was a factor that meant something for me.) spent a lot of time scouring ebay for the "glass covers, and put together a couple more sets of 2 for future paint color experiments. Of note was that the left side (w, the tool pocket) seemed to be much less available than the right side for the oil tank.

Fast Eddie · Jan 31, 2020

Fibre glass doesn’t rust... is lighter than steel... and cheaper to buy... what’s not to like ?!

Onder · Feb 1, 2020

uh, it cracks? Im just asking.

Fast Eddie · Feb 1, 2020

Onder said:
uh, it cracks? Im just asking.

Eventually I guess. But we should be talking decades if properly mounted.

kommando · Feb 1, 2020

All the fibreglass sidecovers I have are crazed on the gel surface so got steel to replace. I have some carbon fibre reinforced filler, as used on Wheeler Dealers to fix a Corvette shell suffering from same, and described as a permanent fix.

Danno · Feb 1, 2020

Fast Eddie said:
Fibre glass doesn’t rust... is lighter than steel... and cheaper to buy... what’s not to like ?!

The way it melts from the use of E10 pump gas.

Oh, wait, we're talking sidecovers. I just like things to match.

YING · Feb 6, 2020

Onder said:
I figure that at some point AN will make EVERYTHING.
...hey I can dream no? :-O

AN does have them now
I just ordered a set and will post results

jimbo · Feb 6, 2020

YING said:
AN does have them now
I just ordered a set and will post results

they don't make them all,fastback side covers are still unavailable,#3 #7

olympus · Feb 6, 2020

ninja said:
Hi there's a company not far from me that still uses the old methods and can make any panels by hand Inc side panels, in aluminium or steel.

pray tell all sir??

Sidecovers

Norcoastal

NPeteN

Cheesehead Commando

Onder

Danno

Scout63

maylar

ninja

Danno

Scout63

ILLF8ED

luckyed

Fast Eddie

Onder

Fast Eddie

kommando

Danno

YING

Pittsboro,NC

jimbo

olympus

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