A little to close to the pillar when gassing up

[MHHillman]

Well today when i was gassing up the trill i pulled a little close to a stone pillar and have four deep scratches in my rear fender. Not sure whether to have it repaired or would be cheaper to just replace it. Any thoughts

 

[pcombe]

Well today when i was gassing up the trill i pulled a little close to a stone pillar and have four deep scratches in my rear fender. Not sure whether to have it repaired or would be cheaper to just replace it. Any thoughts

See what ins. has to say?

 

[MHHillman]

Not going to use insurance. rates will only go sky high

 

[geezerglide11441]

Well today when i was gassing up the trill i pulled a little close to a stone pillar and have four deep scratches in my rear fender. Not sure whether to have it repaired or would be cheaper to just replace it. Any thoughts

Did the same sort of thing in my garage - i.e. got too close to my muffler on my V-Rod and scraped the left rear fender. I replaced the fender which took 30 - 60 days to get for a cost of $700 Plus installation costs!!! Pretty expensive screw-up!!

Roger

 

[MHHillman]

Thank you. I am feeling a little better because knowing Harley I thought it would be a lot more

 

[jaxbobg]

If you ride a trike for a while, you'll inevitably have a fender scratch.
Been there, done that, got the "I'm an Idiot" T-shirt as proof.

Here's the home brew solution that works for me.

Go to the auto parts store. Get an assortment of auto body sandpaper in 1000 to 3000 grit. Also get a Dupli-Color "Scratch Fix All in 1" package in a color close to yours.

Start with the 1000 grit, wetting frequently, moving with the direction of the scratches. Feather the edges of the gouges with the 2000 and 3000 grit. Apply the Dupli-Color per instructions. Let dry. Apply again. Sand with 3000 grit once more.

Get a power buffer out and use some auto wax to buff the area.

Maybe $20 to $30 out of pocket and only you will ever know where the fender was scratched.

Oh, yeah, you may have to get a pen of touch up paint from your cycle shop or on-line to get the final color blending into the stock paint. And use the clear coat to bring out the gloss.

 

[pcombe]

If you ride a trike for a while, you'll inevitably have a fender scratch.

Been there, done that, got the "I'm an Idiot" T-shirt as proof.

Here's the home brew solution that works for me.

Go to the auto parts store. Get an assortment of auto body sandpaper in 1000 to 3000 grit. Also get a Dupli-Color "Scratch Fix All in 1" package in a color close to yours.

Start with the 1000 grit, wetting frequently, moving with the direction of the scratches. Feather the edges of the gouges with the 2000 and 3000 grit. Apply the Dupli-Color per instructions. Let dry. Apply again. Sand with 3000 grit once more.

Get a power buffer out and use some auto wax to buff the area.

Maybe $20 to $30 out of pocket and only you will ever know where the fender was scratched.

Oh, yeah, you may have to get a pen of touch up paint from your cycle shop or on-line to get the final color blending into the stock paint. And use the clear coat to bring out the gloss.

Also get a Dupli-Color "Scratch Fix All in 1" package in a color close to yours.

Dupli color is an excellent choice because it is an automotive paint and it dries just about as quick as it sprays so little chance at a run developing.ThumbUp

Auto zone carries it.

 

[Peter A.]

Fender

Here's another idea - I've seen both sides of fenders for sale on EBay quite often - usually
going for a couple of hundred vice $900 that
my local dealer quoted!!
Although my buddy had his repaired by a local body man (both sides) for $500 (note they are
fiberglass).
epper:

 

[jaxbobg]

Okay, MHHillman, I'm getting the idea that either you completely tore up the fender on that post, OR, you've got extra money just aching to be spent, OR, you just feel uncomfortable trying to do the scratch repair yourself.

I've done several fixes on my bikes and cars for under $50 apiece.

Let's see now, should I spend $700 dollars on a new fender, $500 at the auto body shop, or $30 and an afternoon working on it myself?

Decisions...decisions...decisions... :xzqxz:

 

[msocko3]

Okay, MHHillman, I'm getting the idea that either you completely tore up the fender on that post, OR, you've got extra money just aching to be spent, OR, you just feel uncomfortable trying to do the scratch repair yourself.

I've done several fixes on my bikes and cars for under $50 apiece.

Let's see now, should I spend $700 dollars on a new fender, $500 at the auto body shop, or $30 and an afternoon working on it myself?

Decisions...decisions...decisions... :xzqxz:

I've yet to see anyone ask what color his trike is, makes a difference whether it is a DIY can do or DIY disaster. Some of the colors are not so easy to match, there are paint shops which can struggle matching the paint. Your sure not going to match may of the colors with a rattle can.

 

[jaxbobg]

I've yet to see anyone ask what color his trike is, makes a difference whether it is a DIY can do or DIY disaster. Some of the colors are not so easy to match, there are paint shops which can struggle matching the paint. Your sure not going to match may of the colors with a rattle can.

You're right about that. I'd never try using a "rattle can" myself.
The scratch repair paint pens I've used come in automotive paint colors.

I have matched as close as possible, done the basic repair, then finish with touch up pen from the bike dealer. However, they only seem to have the most popular colors, so custom colors might be a problem.

Fortunately, my trikes have all been basic black, pearl white, or burgundy, so not a big problem.