Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Charliedog on May 18, 2025, 11:21:23 AM
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When I got my 2016 Concours I was aware of some accident damage in the right mirror area. It turned out the mirror mounting bracket (the same part number on every single C1400 ever made) had been broken and repaired with some material-looked like a glop of JB Weld or something similar. I found that out when the mirror flew off the bike when riding on the interstate. The mirror was there, and a second later it was gone, like it had disappeared.
I have the parts I need (silver mirrors no longer available, so it was either get two metallic spark black ones, or have one silver one and one black one), and I have a service manual to use to remove the upper cowling for access to the mirror mounting bracket. However the mirrors mount through the upper cowling, the bracket goes under the gauges from mirror to mirror, and when the right mirror came off, it took a triangular piece out of the cowling-although that might have been broken when the accident happened. Also the back 3-4" of the bottom of the upper cowling is broken and held in place by one screw in the middle cowling.
I am not trying to make it look new, in fact I may just use duct tape on the back side of that little piece, but I guess I would like to 'glue' the triangular piece of plastic that goes between the mirror and the mounting bracket.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. TIA
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I have had good experience with JB Weld. I think the key to using it correctly is to:
1) Roughen the surfaces so it has something to hold into.
2) Use some additional "structure" over the parts, like reinforcements, that are incorporated into the repair. Something strong, like long/thin nails, or some of that fiberglass grid "tape" that is used for drywall repairs.
3) Use enough of the product to get around everything thickly.
I am sure other people may have some additional recommendations and tips.
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Not on my C14, but on my C10 I have plastic welded with great success. I have also used the "staples" that stitch the plastic together with for sections that needed reinforcement.
I have not had great success with fibreglass or epoxy glues as the vibrations in the plastic eventually shakes the epoxy loose from the ABS (acrylic) plastic no matter how much you rough up the surface. The repair will last a year or 2 but eventually you end up having to do it again.
I have also used ABS Cement and it works well, but is best used mixed with powdered ABS as a filler.
I have yet to break any of the plastics on my C14 (touch wood!!!) and long may that continue! 8)
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Thanks for the suggestions and ideas. I have set aside a week in June for start to finish so I don't feel rushed.
IIRC when I did the valves on my C10 the first time, it took me three days start to finish-I was on my own time, so there was no reason to rush. After about the fifth or sixth time I cut the time in half with no wasted motion and no rush. Just thinking, I hope I won't have to do the mirror bracket on the C14 a second time...