Chinese Ebay Plastics
 

I'm returning to the UK - (:D )
But I have to find a new job (:mad: )

But it means I can probably do some track days with "leisure" time - so I don't want to use the original bodywork ...

Obviously there is loads of Chinese origin ABS plastic advertised on ebay ... any experiences - good or bad ?

Thanks ( and i did try the search function!)

If it's just for the track, do you need abs or would a cheap set of "race" (fibreglass) fairings suffice? I guess that really depends on how you're going to get to the trackday - on the bike or by trailer/van?

If you're taking the bike there by trailer/van then I'd get a set of cheap fibreglass fairings. Depending on your budget (and if you can stand plain white!) you can pick them up for around £150 a set, or spend a bit more for some coloured versions. These always get good recommendations: http://www.superbikebodywork.co.uk/Ducati_916.htm

For the ABS stuff, I've heard mixed reports from other places like Ducatisti. Some are very happy but others think the quality and/or paint isn't all that. I think you have to understand that you're buying a cheap product and just accept what you're getting - in your case (track use in case of a spill) I would think they would be perfectly acceptable with a few blemishes or paint runs! I've seen some really nice fairings on there for the 916 shape (which I was considering myself for trackdays!), like this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250887688084

When I take my (road) 748 on a trackday I will spend a few hours taking all the road fairing off, taking the headlight out, the number plate hanger off, etc, and then refitting the track fairing before putting it onto my trailer. It is a pain, but I know that if it goes down on the track I won't lose my road kit. I also have a "trackday" tank too!

Whether you decide to go ABS or fibreglass, you'll find it's a pain to switch them over without paying a bit more for some of the mounting items - the seat unit needs a bracket at the front as well as the locking mechanism at the back to save you taking them off your road kit. It's not expensive for each item, but they will all add up. You may find some fairings with bellypans are more heavy than standard two side pieces and so will need extra brackets to keep them in place, which will be more expense. You might also need to modify the fairing for a side stand, etc.

So there is no quick yes/no answer I'm afraid!

As an aside, I'm doing up a Honda at the moment, and will be purchasing a set of Chinese ABS fairings to replace the mismatched, badly painted ones on there, mainly because (a) they're cheap (...er than buying genuine) and (b) because getting decent second-hand panels is very difficult!

Go with Fibreglass. If you get them from a decent supplier you probably won't even need to paint them (most of the ones on my Race bike were not painted). fit well, and crash well.

I had some chinese ones for my 848. Brilliant paint finish and very cheap. However, mine were a fiddle to fit and the mounting points were what let them down... and the last thing you want is a piece of bodywork shedding itself at 140mph (do a search, it has happened to someone over on ducatisti). Even before I was forced to remove mine (crash 2 weeks after I put them on), I had decided they would be coming off as I just wouldn't trust them at high speed.

Thanks for the replies - I'll do a bit of research !

if he still does them I use Barry. He will put lights and side stand if you want or not. Fit really well, come with brackets for rear and dzus clips. I think about 250-300. Lasted me 5 years and 2 accidents. Impregnated not painted.
Add 100 (ian miles, spay cans and decals) for this

http://ian-miles.smugmug.com/Motorcy...621_qa3GN-A-LB

or 1000GBP (inc wheels) for this (Alta Mura):

http://ian-miles.smugmug.com/Motorcy...839_EP2W2-A-LB

Not keen on the idea of GRP TBH