[sirkitrider]

Whew, A nice ride Saturday spoiled a little by a unfortunate incident. Riding along about 20 miles into a 211 mile ride when I heard a noise. I thought, "wonder what that was"? 1/4 mile or so it hit me, well not literally, but for some reason I thought Oh crap, the side cover. I had it off the day before disconnecting the battery while installing a new fuel pump. I pulled over and sure enough that sucker was gone. Heart sank. Sick feeling in the pit of my rather sizable gut. Turned around and looked for it hoping to catch a break. Found it 1/3 mile or so back up the rode laying in the fastlane. I fastwalked across the medium to retrieve it. Thankfully! raying: It's scuffed up pretty good, one ear {terminology?} broken but not broken off, a crack in the front side and the Goldwing emblem gone. Hey I'm declaring the glass half full. JB Weld and I'm hoping to salvage it since I can't take out a second mortage to buy one from ebay.

Ya'll can help me with 2 things: 1 - where might I find and Goldwing emblem to replace the missing one, and 2 - Ideas for tethering them to the bike. I've seen the kits on CycleMax but prefer some DIY that would be cheaper. Yeah I'm cheap! - Sirkitrider

 

[Silicon Sam]

Try the For Sale / Wanted section, and it might be a good idea to mention what kind of bike you have. Every model has a different side cover.

 

[newday777]

Fishing line with quick disconnect.
Or zip ties work for tethers.
Just drill a hole in the platform base of the one tab of the sidecovers.

The side covers are ABS plastic as all the plastic is on the wings.
Use ABS cement to repair the cover and broken tab. Sand off the paint on the backside where the repair will be. Put on multiple very light coats and allow 24 hrs between coats. For a crack you can layer in fiberglass tape with the cement.

 

[oldwing99]

I found the OEM emblem on a simple search for OEM parts retail locations on the web. There have been recent posts about which ones have the better prices. I don't remember the cost but for my 1500 it wasn't hard to find, there are different styles through the years and it is listed as making a difference if it is for the right or left side but it ended up being an exact match.

 

[TennX]

how about a zip tie anchor and 12lb test for us DIYER's....good luck

 

[wda-83wing]

OR-- you could get and install RUDY`S keeper kit`s . they install very securely and are the best way that i have seen . not the cheapest , but the best for a permanent solution . give them a look.

 

[sirkitrider]

Thanks folks for the help. Will follow up on each suggestion. - Sirkitrider

 

[skip20]

Thanks folks for the help. Will follow up on each suggestion. - Sirkitrider

You still haven't said whay year or model!!!!

 

[UbarW]

OR-- you could get and install RUDY`S keeper kit`s . they install very securely and are the best way that i have seen . not the cheapest , but the best for a permanent solution . give them a look.

I was going to suggest this, too....

 

[papasmurf]

MY 2 CENTS: Bought 3 sets of Rudy's Keepers; they only cost me HALF the price of a new left lower side cover, after the bloody thing flew off somewhere, during long trip in September. TTFN.....papasmurf

 

[BUDDTWO]

Just my 2 cents but I went to wallyworld and picked up some 12 inch fishing leaders and put them on both my aspys and used a little heat shrink to insulate them from any contact to the wiring on the bikes.----------Hal

 

[sirkitrider]

You still haven't said whay year or model!!!!

Sorry - 1984 GL1200 Interstate, in Gray - Sirkitrider

 

[sirkitrider]

MY 2 CENTS: Bought 3 sets of Rudy's Keepers; they only cost me HALF the price of a new left lower side cover, after the bloody thing flew off somewhere, during long trip in September. TTFN.....papasmurf

Today I ordered Ruby's Keepers - the full set and new gromets {sp?} from ebay. Thanks folks. - Sirkitrider

 

[wda-83wing]

you`ll not regret installing them.

 

[redbaron]

Rudy's keepers saved my son from having to buy and have another battery cover, be painted...Rudy send me a pair for him..Half way to Austin Texas, either the mounting bolt came loose or he didn't tighten it, but that keeper paid for its self ten times over...Price for a used 2004 battery side cover $85.00, custom paint work on side cover about $150.00 bucks, Yeah it paid for its self...I've seen the DIY "keepers" and some are really cool looking, those covers ain't going any where...

 

[wilmo]

Ok I'm concerned about my side panels too. I have a 86 aspy. Which of these kits do I want to get? It's a little confusing to me which one I get...

 

[unionjk]

Place a zip-tie through each of the two upper tabs and two zip-ties around the frame of the bike in matching locations, with the zip-ties looped loosely together you can still remove the cover enough to service the battery ect. without the cover falling enough to touch the exhaust. Should you need to remove the battery just snip one of the zip-ties and swing the cover completely out of the way.