Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Bodger Fix
Bodger Fix What they don't show you in the repair manual - tales of duct tape, bailing wire and WD 40. Bodge, Bush Mechanics, farmers fix, patch, temporary repair, or whatever your definition, tell us YOUR best story of a bodge that got you home!
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree2Likes
  • 1 Post By NamasteBuzz
  • 1 Post By GSPeter

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 41
Holed Rocker Cover Fix - BMW GS

When I crashed my 1100GS and punched a hole in the rocker cover (note silver gaffer tape over said hole in the pic) I was advised to mix Araldite - a two part glue - with cotton wool and plug the damage with that.

We couldn't locate any cotton wool (in the Himalayas) but found a tampon in the bottom of a bag and mixed that with the glue.

Hey Presto! Worked a treat and was rock solid for thousands of miles.

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 Aug 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: England
Posts: 52
I've heard of using Araldite and cotton wool, but never heard from anyone actually trying it!

Thanks for the Info...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Aug 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 164
hole in nearly anything hard.

Araldite, or other two-componant glue, and toalet paper. Clean and prepare the area round the hole, a layer of glue, and then press the toalet paper into the glue, building up as many layers til it won't absorb any more. Let it dry, and you can even sandpaper it smooth.
Believe it or not, you can repair a bullet hole in a petrol tank, though there are probably other uses too.

Safe travels,
Peter, in Oslo
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Sep 2011
Bigfoot's Avatar
Gold Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Perth, Western Australia
Posts: 85
Rocker cover

Years ago I had an old R60/6 - Misadventure resulted in a weeping graze on the left rocker cover. I simply turned the cover up side down put the damage to the top. Probably won't be able to do this with the newer bikes.
Cheers Ben.
__________________

That's not an oil leak.....the old girl is just marking her territory.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 9 Oct 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: london,england
Posts: 191
also a rubber glove superglued to the rocker cover works rather well.... (even if it does pulse like some weird heartbeat!!)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 30 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Araldite + strength

The cotton/tampon is simply there to provide strength.

You could use anything - wood shavings, bits of tin/aluminium (drink can, food can etc) to provide that strength. The Araldite simply bonds those things together.

Oh ... if you want the Araldite to cure faster - heat it. Heat speeds most chemical reactions. Hold it in your hands in front of the camp fire. The idea is to heat it to a reasonable temperature - not burn it.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 30 Oct 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Since the early 60's Araldite has been my number one repair material.

nowadays I tend to use the quick setting version, sometimes the flexible stuff. You can use it like cement and add metal filings to it to form an epoxy concrete. Cloth will take it like fibre glass matting take resin.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 4 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by Warin View Post
The cotton/tampon is simply there to provide strength.
Surely it's the araldite that provides the strength, the cotton wool, wood shavings or whatever is just bulking it out like ballast in a concrete mix.

Plasterers fibreglass perforated 'scrim' tape is useful stuff when coated with araldite for repairing holes or splits.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 4 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 130
Haha, those fixes are great to read !!!! Definitely something to keep in mind if something happens
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 4 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnon View Post
Surely it's the araldite that provides the strength, the cotton wool, wood shavings or whatever is just bulking it out like ballast in a concrete mix.

Plasterers fibreglass perforated 'scrim' tape is useful stuff when coated with araldite for repairing holes or splits.
I quite agree Magnon.
Cotton wool, wood shavings, tampons (are cotton wool aren't they?), rubber gloves are all providing the "filler" material to provide a base for the magic of Araldite.

Similar things go on with many other forms of composite materials technology -
GRP - glass reinforced plastic
RC - reinforced concrete
But, in these other cases the matrix of filler is providing structural strength to the composite.

ps the pic in the OP makes me smile - maybe not all of the damage was done in a single "off", but the OEM BMW pannier survived well.
__________________
Dave

Last edited by Walkabout; 4 Nov 2012 at 13:56. Reason: ps added
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Nov 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
I quite agree Magnon.
Cotton wool, wood shavings, tampons (are cotton wool aren't they?), rubber gloves are all providing the "filler" material to provide a base for the magic of Araldite.

Similar things go on with many other forms of composite materials technology -
GRP - glass reinforced plastic
RC - reinforced concrete
But, in these other cases the matrix of filler is providing structural strength to the composite.
So you and magnon would use araldite without a 'filler' over large distances if you could? OK try pulling apart the following
A length of cotton wool
A length of araldite (make it up on some plastic, then seperate it from the plastic)
A length of cotton wool with araldite

See what you think after trying it. Think you'll find it does the same as glass fiber in the fiberglass, rebar in reinforced concrete etc etc.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
KLE500 rocker cover gasket. g4wod_john Kawasaki Tech 12 10 Oct 2009 13:03
Removing the rocker cover & Cylinder head *Touring Ted* Yamaha Tech 8 28 Aug 2006 11:10
Air head rocker-arm bearings oldbaldrick BMW Tech 1 18 Apr 2005 06:39
R100GS PD Rocker C over Nigel Marx BMW Tech 2 25 Feb 2003 07:37
Rocker Cover Gasket leak JNTaylor KTM Tech 3 26 Mar 2002 21:24

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:41.