ATC90 Needs Some Attention

[Frankencelery]

I admit it...my trikes have been neglected over the winter. In the last week I've taken each one out and given it a good ride. Last night I unburied my ATC90 from under the porch swing cushions (I know...sad) and took it for a ride. First thing I remembered was that my front rim is bent, but I grabbed one on ebay last night with a good tire on it for a not-to-bad price. The other thing that needs immediate attention is the rear fender. The crack is probably 10" long now, and it rattles when you ride. So if it's fixable for an amateur I'd like to do it.

I searched for any good threads on fiberglass fender repair, but couldn't find much. Can someone who's done this give me some pointers? I was looking online for fiberglass repair, and there's dozens of different kinds. Many of them have names of various kinds of animal hair, and some use actual fiberglass mat. Dunno where to start!

168863

[barnett468]

Hello


The other thing that needs immediate attention is the rear fender. The crack is probably 10" long now, and it rattles when you ride. So if it's fixable for an amateur I'd like to do it.


Easy deal

xxxxx

I searched for any good threads on fiberglass fender repair, but couldn't find much. Can someone who's done this give me some pointers? I was looking online for fiberglass repair, and there's dozens of different kinds.


Go to an automotive paint store they have the thick woven cloth, home depot etc has the thin stuff. Buy it all there.

Buy 1 pint of resin and some thick woven cloth not mat.

Buy 4 cheap paint brushes and a pint of lacquer thinner and 4 16 oz plastic or paper paint mixing cups and 4 wooden mixing sticks.

1. Sand an area larger than the patch on the bottom side of the fender with 80 or 120 grit then clean with lacquer thinner.

2. Cut a strip of cloth 3”-3 ½” wide and 1” longer than the length of the crack.

3. Read mixing instructions and add slightly less hardener than suggested for more working time, use the paint cup. Only mix around 4 oz, a little goes a long way.

4. Spread some mixed resin on the fender extending 2”beyond the crack on both sides then lay the cloth on it and press it into the resin with the brush.

5. Add a “thin” layer [not a thick one] of resin on top of the mat press it into the mat LIGHTLY until mat is no longer white.

6. Let dry around 1 hour then sand thoroughly and repeat with 1 more layer of mat and you are done.

7. If you notice the resin starting to get thicker as you are working it stop and fix after it dries completely.

[barnett468]

You can also buy most of it at home depot then buy the thick cloth at the paint store if home depot doesn't have it. If you use thin mat you will have to sand and add another strip until it is at least three layers thick and maximum of 4.

[Frankencelery]

You can also buy most of it at home depot then buy the thick cloth at the paint store if home depot doesn't have it. If you use thin mat you will have to sand and add another strip until it is at least three layers thick and maximum of 4.

Thanks for your help Barnett468, I just got to it now! What...it's only been two years! I've got projects that have been stalled way longer than that!

Couple follow up questions...the mat on the bottom does a good job with the structure, but what to do on top? Same thing, or is it a different process when it's where you can see it?

Also, I think the reason this thing cracked in the first place is that one of the metal supports that is supposed to hold the mud flaps on is missing. Can I buy those (and mud flaps) anywhere? I'm sure they'd be reproductions nowadays.

[Daddio]

Try this. I put up video of me fixing my fenders several years ago. Look for post #29.
http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/128689-Project-quot-Bandito-quot-90-110/page2?highlight=bandito+90

You aren't the only one dragging out projects.:lol:

[Frankencelery]

Thanks Daddio....the thread is still there, but the videos are not, or at least, I was unable to find them. I will look through the thread and see if I can learn something. I'll get back to you in 2 years! :lol:

[Daddio]

Thanks Daddio....the thread is still there, but the videos are not, or at least, I was unable to find them. I will look through the thread and see if I can learn something. I'll get back to you in 2 years! :lol:
I fixed the links . I'm not sure why they got changed. That was my youtube channel, it just wasn't directing properly.

[effort=results]

Hers a trick i know. Lay out a piece of plastic like a clear tarp. Pour resin on it. Lay mat on that and work resin into mat. Then you can simply pick it up and lay it on the damaged area and then work it into the crack . Just leave the plastic on while it cures . This will leave you with a smoother finish to level out.

[bigred22]

i got lucky when i restored a '77 atc90, there was a seller on ebay selling repo fiberglass fender assy's just like the originals for about 100. painted or unpainted, i jumped on one for mine and was quite pleased with it, not sure if that seller is still around, it's been five or six years since i redid mine.............217012

[Frankencelery]

Thanks for updating those links Daddio! Does the Everglass filler also require me to buy separate hardener? Forgive the newbie questions, but this is a first for me.

[Daddio]

Thanks for updating those links Daddio! Does the Everglass filler also require me to buy separate hardener? Forgive the newbie questions, but this is a first for me.
No you don't. It should come with the product. Also, since I originally posted those links I have tried a product called Bondo Glass that I picked up at the local Autozone. It worked very well and the price wasn't bad either. And to update the fenders......I ended up using them on another 90 and they have survived through 3 trips to Trikefest with no signs of failure!!! I ended up going with the repop low profile fenders for the Bandito project. Don't feel bad about taking so long to finish a project........I started the Bandito project in 2009. I have about 98% of everything I need to finish it now. A few more years and I promise that it will be done.

[Devilsclaw]

Barnett's spot on with his write up. I had one that was badly broken on both sides. On that one, I riveted in a piece of 1.5" strap iron across the entire back end. (On the underside) and then sandwiched it in with fiberglass. I didn't want it to ever crack again.

[Frankencelery]

Bump on my earlier question. Can we still get mud flaps and the associated metal hardware for these anywhere? Somebody's got 2 right mud flaps on Ebay, which is half useful!

[Daddio]

All of the ones I have are about half messed up. I have one 90 that I run without. I also try to avoid really muddy areas with it. I can check for some at Trikefest.

[barnett468]

Bump on my earlier question. Can we still get mud flaps and the associated metal hardware for these anywhere? Somebody's got 2 right mud flaps on Ebay, which is half useful!

depends what year it is . . the guards for the front edge of the early 90's is reproduced.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-ATC90-ATC-90-US90-ATV-NEW-RUBBER-FENDER-GROMETS-PROTECTORS-HONDA-90-/371345886534


just the two rear guard brackets [shown as number 5 in the link below] and some miscellaneous hardware is still avail nos.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-atc90-1976-usa_model49/partslist/F++01.html#results

[barnett468]

heres a cracked late model fender with the guards attached . . $56.00

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-ATC-90-ATC90-Used-Original-Rear-Fender-1976-MS-/111429343506

[Frankencelery]

So, the filler came....ordered it on Amazon. They put a metal can in a cardboard box with no packing material. Here's what that looks like:

217157

Then I went on Amazon to request a replacement, and they insisted on getting the "defective" one back. I called and it took 3 times explaining that it's leaking flammable toxic materials and does Amazon.com want to be responsible for that, and finally he said "Ok, sorry for the trouble. We are refunding your money AND sending you a replacement." Ok, so this was a hassle, but in the end, you gotta love the result! No hardener by the way, but I already bought a tube.

[Frankencelery]

I hit Post before I was done blathering. Couple more things. Barnett, thanks for the input. I'd never heard of that site cmsnl.com. If they've got the parts, that's pretty cheap. The link to the cracked fender was too rough for me to make it worthwhile. Of course, it does have the mud flaps, so maybe it would be. I also found this, which is just hardware, but no mud flaps: http://www.ebay.com/itm/301629064529?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true

Also, as to what year it is, I really have no idea. The frame is like a '70 US90, but I think most everything else is '77.

Finally, here's my job on the bottom. Once you're done laughing, you can tell me if you think it will hold. Do I need to do anything else to this side?

217158

[Daddio]

I hit Post before I was done blathering. Couple more things. Barnett, thanks for the input. I'd never heard of that site cmsnl.com. If they've got the parts, that's pretty cheap. The link to the cracked fender was too rough for me to make it worthwhile. Of course, it does have the mud flaps, so maybe it would be. I also found this, which is just hardware, but no mud flaps: http://www.ebay.com/itm/301629064529?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true

Also, as to what year it is, I really have no idea. The frame is like a '70 US90, but I think most everything else is '77.

Finally, here's my job on the bottom. Once you're done laughing, you can tell me if you think it will hold. Do I need to do anything else to this side?

217158

That should be ok as long as you don't take it out and roll it. I usually grind down the edges where the crack is and put a little extra material in that area to really strengthen it. You are making more progress than me at this point.

[barnett468]

I hit Post before I was done blathering. Couple more things. Barnett, thanks for the input. I'd never heard of that site cmsnl.com. If they've got the parts, that's pretty cheap. The link to the cracked fender was too rough for me to make it worthwhile. Of course, it does have the mud flaps, so maybe it would be. I also found this, which is just hardware, but no mud flaps: http://www.ebay.com/itm/301629064529?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&fromMakeTrack=true

Also, as to what year it is, I really have no idea. The frame is like a '70 US90, but I think most everything else is '77.

Finally, here's my job on the bottom. Once you're done laughing, you can tell me if you think it will hold. Do I need to do anything else to this side?

217158

as far as the used fender with the mud guards i would buy them for the guards alone then ebay the fender for $20.00 or just trash it or fix it and sell it . . the guards are hard to come by its not like its $200.00, plus the guy might sell it for $10.00 less if you ask who knows but they are there now and may not be tomorrow.

you can carefully heat the guards then form them with your hands then have someone spray or pour very cold water on them and they will hold the shape, so i think you could make those look decent enough but they do have a few small gouges from what i can see but they are not $200.00 nos ones either.

as far as your repair goes, that is not the cloth i suggested so i would say the the execution is very good but the area will be weak and if you bondo the crack on top, it will likely crack again if you put much pressure on that area.

you can easily add another layer of cloth on the bottom but you need to sand that one until there are absolutely no shiny areas left, then just put the resin on then the mat etc.

as far as the parts place i gave you the link to, just click on the link below then scroll down to their million dollar vintage bike collection, lol . . it also has photos of the actual warehouse etc . . they are the real deal . . i know about them because i am, or was, in the biz.

http://www.cmsnl.com/about/company/virtual-tour/#showroom

[Frankencelery]

Oh crap, not the cloth you recommended Barnett? I just went in and asked for thick cloth, and he just gave me what they had. Never having done it before, I guess I didn't know any better.

I will sand it down and do another layer then.

Daddio, I will definitely grind out some extra area on the top side. I got the replacement filler today, and they shipped it exactly the same way as they did the first time! Can was dented a bit, but not sprung like the last one.

Oh, and I bought a 5" random orbital sander the other day from Harbor Freight. Not quality tools, I know, but for something I may only use 2 or 3 times in my life, it will probably do the job.