Wilsons Sandbox

> My new KLR (A 14) is an ugly green color that I would love to change. > Someone told me I can't effectively paint the plastic as it will crack.

Is

> that true or false? I am contemplating ordering fenders and side plates > from Kwaka but, according to my dealer, they only offer last years > blue/green. Does anyone know if any after market firm makes colored > fenders that would bolt on to the KLR or, if colored OEM ones are

available

> from somewhere? F'rinstance, I saw a picture in a UK bike mag of a black > and red KLR that looked pretty cool. > Thanks in advance if someone can help. > Nick

Nick, I painted my bike over a year ago and if done properly, there is no cracking or peeling of paint. The only cracking I`ve experienced was at Moab. I had a good downer that wrapped my front fender back on itself. The paint cracked at the fold, but what can you expect with a 180degree crush. Also my handguards cracked from the nasty fall, but they had only been painted with Krylon, without plastic prep ( I was going to replace them with yellow handguards, so didn`t properly paint them) yet they still held up over a year with drops and scrapes. We paint plastic aircraft parts regularly and get years of rough service with no problems. Painting plastic works fine, it just has to be done properly if you want it to last. Skip

[i]you would like an all white KLR I put together these[/i] [i]part numbers that may help.  The dealer may be right[/i] [i]that they are no longer available or just doesn't want to[/i] [i]spend the time finding out what is available.  With this[/i] [i]worksheet maybe you can find a set and just paint the tank.[/i] [i]Be prepared to pay about $500 for the plastic if available.[/i] [i]Painting the plastic will work if done correctly though.[/i]   [i]Walt[/i] [i]A14[/i]  

Hey, excellent!...Where did you get the part numbers from, and can you get them for other parts too?  BTW, I believe that there are so many different part numbers for the years for the radiator shrouds and side covers because they come with the decal already put on, so a heat gun to remove the decals and any year would work.     Jeff--time to get to work, planning on starting the teardown and rebuild next week.    

>Hey, excellent!...Where did you get the part numbers from, and can you get >them for other parts too? BTW, I believe that there are so many different >part numbers for the years for the radiator shrouds and side covers >because they come with the decal already put on, so a heat gun to remove >the decals and any year would work. > >Jeff--time to get to work, planning on starting the teardown and rebuild >next week.

Go to Buykawasaki.com and you'll find all the part numbers you care for. I don't recommend tearing down your bike to rebuild unless it is broke. Wait till winter. I can tell you from personal experience that it totally sucks not being able to ride in the warm weather. Sobbing right now.....but hey Stage Two is half done and should be complete this weekend... Staytuned. LaterZ Dash Oh yeah.... painting plastic isn't that hard and certainly not impossible. Bulldog adhesion promoter worked great for me.

> CA Stu A13 > Sprint ST >

Hey Stu, what happened? I held on to your fuel strainer till the end. Bogdan