Fabricating a streetfighter tail? I'm over my head!

[NekkidR6]

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member, jumping in from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I've been reading through a lot of the older threads, and I've been really impressed with the technical expertise on this site. I'm hoping that you guys can help me out with a bit of a problem too. I've got an '02 R6 that's well down the streetfighter path, although still has a long way to go.

Here's the situation. last night, my bike got knocked over in the street, and the tail fairing is scratched to heck. I was thinking that this might be the impetus I needed to continue the streetfighter mods. In looking at the bike without the tail piece, I realize how much more sleek and aggressive it could look, and now I want to essentially slice off the bubbles on the side and the cowl, but I have no real idea how to do so...I'm looking for any help that you guys can provide!

Here are the options I've come up with so far:

1. Make a papier-mache mold of the original fairing, fill it with foaming insulation, and then trimming it back to where I like it and then using it as a mold to lay fiberglass onto. This seems like a pretty natural route, but the problem is, I'm getting rid of way more from the original fairing than I'm keeping. It may be a bit excessive, considering my long-term goals.

2. Covering the bike with a plastic sheet, layering foaming insulation directly onto the bike, then trimming back the excess when it dries (This seems easier to me, somehow, although I realize that symmetry will be a challenge.

3. Cutting out cardboard shapes, aligning them on the bike so that it gives me a good idea where to go from there, and then doing the foam bit. This seems kinda time consuming, but it'll afford me the luxury of seeing a mock-up as it progresses.

I'm so torn right now, I'm basically frozen with indecision. Can anybody offer other alternatives or better ways to do things? Opinions?

Thanks!

Steve

[mbe25]

i think i'd go with option one. but i'd use possibly some plastic wrap over the plastics and use actual fiber glass for the mold. then, i'd use the cardboard contour gauge idea on the inside to aid in the symmetry issue.

[zxsikr]

have fun buddy!let me know how that works out for u!

[D.King]

Sounds like you need to just attach some foam to the bike and start sculpting. When you get it close then put a layer of modeling clay over top of it and get it to final shape and smooth. When you have it all mocked up seal it with varnish. Then you can pull a mold from that. The part that comes out of the mold should be smooth and ready for primer and blocking.

Hope this helps.
DK