Seat cowl

[GoldOxide_imp]

Fascinating treedoc. I am enjoying how this process is unfolding.

[treedoc_imp]

Cheers GO, I thought afterwards that I might have been a bit eager starting this thread, before I got it off the seat.

It would have been embarrassing if I had to cut it off the seat and throw it in the bin

[Mixagon_imp]

Its coming on very well so far and when finished I would suggest making a mould from it so you can make a spare and maybe some for other members.
The way to get around non mould friendly shapes is to make a split mould held together by bolts and fill the join with putty or similar leaving a small indent to leave a seam on the product which can be sanded off.

[jtopiso_imp]

Very nice work. It looks amazingly symmetric!

It looks like you know very well what you are doing, but just in case: sometimes, with the fiberglass you don't see any deffects on the surfaces, and then, when painted and polished, some minor deffects are evident.

To avoid this, it's common with clay models to cover them with metal foil, smooth it out, and check how it reflects light (better if it is a line-pattern light as from a tube lamp: on the reflections you can see changes of curvature etc.)

Easier on CAD than on reality, but the same principle:
http://www.bluesmith.co.uk/LW/theoryBuil...eZebra.htm

[treedoc_imp]

Thats a very good idea about making a split mold

jtopiso you are right about imperfections in the fiberglass, I put on a primer and all the tiny defects stand out. I will try your foil trick, cheers.



I think I need to smooth out the angles a bit to match the curves of the tank.

I am considering vinyl wrapping it instead of painting, there is a bloke who lives down the road who has a signwriting business so I might see if he has anything that will match the tank colour.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Thats a very good idea about making a split mold

jtopiso you are right about imperfections in the fiberglass, I put on a primer and all the tiny defects stand out. I will try your foil trick, cheers.



I think I need to smooth out the angles a bit to match the curves of the tank.

I am considering vinyl wrapping it instead of painting, there is a bloke who lives down the road who has a signwriting business so I might see if he has anything that will match the tank colour.

Hmm, yeah, what an idea.

[Ninemeister_imp]

Great little project. You're right to copy the lines and curves of the tank, it really makes the cowl look an integral part of the design. Will be looking forward to seeing it finish painted.

Triumph Thruxton - eat your heart out!

[Cormanus]

Nice work treedoc.

[E11even_Hunnit]

Thats a very good idea about making a split mold

jtopiso you are right about imperfections in the fiberglass, I put on a primer and all the tiny defects stand out. I will try your foil trick, cheers.



I think I need to smooth out the angles a bit to match the curves of the tank.

I am considering vinyl wrapping it instead of painting, there is a bloke who lives down the road who has a signwriting business so I might see if he has anything that will match the tank colour.

This looks awesome!

[treedoc_imp]

Im pretty much done, I will hopefully get it wrapped this week. Really happy with how it came out, fits perfect and looks good on the bike.

Its only rattle can and electrical tape, but which graphic do you rekon?

Racing stripes



Match frame/seat angle



Match tank stripe/shock angle