After a Norge "Oops," a Pannier Repair Question

[Bill Hagan]

As I posted on ADVRider a few weeks ago, the Norge toppled over at a stop.   

http://tinyurl.com/Norge-Oops

I was amazed that so little damage done to the Norge -- essentially scrapes on the left pannier -- and only minor "ouches" to us.

Even more amazing, Kathi was a champ and ready to ride again, even tho her "turf toe" injury posed risk of canceling her grandma fun at Disney World the next week.   

But, I am now getting around to making the bag look better.





Thinking I'll try the red Plasti-Dip, which is a very close match with the Norge's red ...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00176DDPK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 ... especially if I follow with the Plasti-Dip "Glossifier.".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0076M8TVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Naturally, I dive in with zero experience with that product, tho I remember "skinmechanic" here did it with success on his (nee my brother's ) B11.

I have done rattle-can work that turned out pretty well, and will follow the directions, and watch some y/t vids.  I intend pretty much to cover the lower half of the pannier, i.e., everything below the black divider.

As I'd prefer not to mask, my primary question is how to separate the two halves of the "clamshell."





Do they come apart by simply tapping out the pins in the hinges? 

I also wonder about removing the MG logo on the side.  Doable? 

Pray for me.   

Many thanks.

Bill

[atavar]

You do realize that plasti-dip is a thick rubbery coating and not a paint, yes?
If it 'twere me I would not try to match color if only doing the lower part but would contrast with black or silver so it would look more like it was meant to be that way instead of looking like an almost matched fix.  Just my 2 cents.

[blackcat]

Bill,

I would just go to the local AutoZone,etc and try out some colors from the rattle can rack. I will look and see if I can find the color that I used for one of my few fall downs and post. Of course I have a brand new right bag picked up on eBay for chump change, but I keep making the left one the victim. One of these days I'll capture a left bag.

[mtwillyman]

If it were my Norge, I'd Line-X both bags.

[ITSec]

If it were my Norge, I'd Line-X both bags.

I wouldn't mind the protection, but I think the pebbled surface would look odd next to the gloss on the rest of the bike.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Pray for me.   

Done.  C'mon, Bill.. you can do better than plasti dip. You're going to paint over the black and all?? No masking??? I predict you won't like what you get.
<shuffling off>

[kingoffleece]

I'd take mine to a good body shop and make it look new.
It's not the only option.

[Bill Hagan]

All interesting replies comma but.

I take it no one knows the answers to my two questions:

Do they come apart by simply tapping out the pins in the hinges? 

I also wonder about removing the MG logo on the side.  Doable? 

My thinking -- such as it is! -- is that the PD comes off if I don't like it.  You may all be right; I might not.  Then, it's rattle can or body shop.   

OBTW, Chuck, that center black thing comes off; in fact, it already is.  Three screws inside the bag and it's off of there.

Bill

[ohiorider]

Damn motorcycles ....... their natural resting position is, unfortunately,  on their sides, not their wheels! 

I agree with Chuck on this one.  Don't go 'Guzzi Cheap' and do a rattle can job on this lovely bike.  Either find an unscathed used bag on eBay or WG, or have a body shop bring this one back to original condition.   Your red two valve Norge is just too lovely to rattle can .  My 2 cents worth.

Glad all the damage was to the bike, not the rider or pillion!

Regards,

Bob

[guzzisteve]

Yes Bill it's that simple, drill hole on both sides. Push pin out.   I guess you never saw the pile of bags at RH we swapped lids on.
And the logo peels off, you order new ones. You need a part number?

[Wayne Orwig]

A sawzall will get that hinge apart.

Red duct tape will cover that scar.

[Muzz]

A sawzall will get that hinge apart.

Red duct tape will cover that scar.

 

That's really putting the boot in Wayne. I think on a bike that pretty it really does warrant a professional touchup. (Which I know is hardly Guzzi content)

[Bill Hagan]

Yes Bill it's that simple, drill hole on both sides. Push pin out.   I guess you never saw the pile of bags at RH we swapped lids on.
And the logo peels off, you order new ones. You need a part number?

Thanks, Steve.  Will wander down to the Moto Grappa (after a few more jolts of coffee ) and take a look at that.  Would think I'll need to "recap" the removed end somehow, and I am not sure just now how the pins stay put with one end open as it is. 

And, I am ignoring you lynch-mob types, led by OMG.   

Even I, who has thrown money at some "make it pretty again" items must admit that at some point in the life of a machine expensive cosmetic repair becomes near silly.  My beloved Norge is not likely to be a featured entry at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance ... at least not in my lifetime! 

Seriously, the Plasti-Dip is a reversible course of action.  If it looks like feces, I'll remove it ... and take it to a body shop.  Consistency is not among my virtues.   

Bill

[twhitaker]

Would think I'll need to "recap" the removed end somehow, and I am not sure just now how the pins stay put with one end open as it is.

A little dab of JB Weld in each end will solve that problem.

[Charles in Lake Charles]

Dupli-Color also make a Custom Wrap Automotive Removable Paint.

[wymple]

Take the bag to an O'Reilly's (others may do this), they have a scope that analyzes your color and they mix your paint in a spray can to match perfectly. We did it on my son's Corvette. Perfect.

[Bisbonian]

You have nothing to lose with trying the Plasti-Dip.

You do need to spray on many multiples of coats as it needs to be thick in order to peal off nicely (from what I've heard) and it also doesn't cover very smoothly. My experience was with painting a windshield with this stuff, you may not notice the speckles of space that are missed when painting red on red. I got a somewhat textured surface and bug splotches don't clean off as easy as with the rest of the bike, but if it gets too bad I'll just spray another coat on there.

Sorry, not help on remove the panel.

[blackcat]

Take the bag to an O'Reilly's (others may do this), they have a scope that analyzes your color and they mix your paint in a spray can to match perfectly. We did it on my son's Corvette. Perfect.

I had no idea they did that, thanks.

[Jim Rich]

I'm still taking my 07 bags to the local paint and body guy Bill, comes back looking new.  Done it a couple of times.  Don't recommend moving your bike late at night at a rally.   

He fixed a gouge in my LeMans tank and painted it to look new as well.   

[atavar]

Just outa curiosity, what did the bodyshop guys charge to refresh your bags?

[Bill Hagan]

Just outa curiosity, what did the bodyshop guys charge to refresh your bags?

Yes, Jim, other inquiring minds want to know, too.  Such things can have some weird regional difference$, but a ballpark is a nice start.

I can always use the Plasti-Dip for other things ... like a cat.   

Bill

[Jim Rich]

I think I paid the guy about $200 each time, he made a perfect repair and I was quite happy with the results. 

[LowRyter]

I suppose a professional painter is out of the question?     

I know a good paint and body guy...............   

[boatdetective]

Take the bag to an O'Reilly's (others may do this), they have a scope that analyzes your color and they mix your paint in a spray can to match perfectly. We did it on my son's Corvette. Perfect.

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[Cam3512]

I got a flat on my work car while reading this Bill Hagan post.

The curse continues...

[Bill Hagan]

I got a flat on my work car while reading this Bill Hagan post.

The curse continues...

That is so wrong.   

Remember, tho, that la vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid.  Or, I suppose, given our metal heritage, la vendetta è un piatto che va servito freddo ... or something like that.   

Take the bag to an O'Reilly's (others may do this), they have a scope that analyzes your color and they mix your paint in a spray can to match perfectly. We did it on my son's Corvette. Perfect.

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I have done that (at a NAPA paint shop) with my HDM EV as I could not find the right fingernail polish -- my solution for touching up nicks on the Ballabio, Norge, & Griso, tho each needed a different red!  -- for the yellow and brown!  But the co$t for a small vial of the computer-generated paint was $tartling: $45 each! 

Mr. Brown shows up this a.m. with the Plasti-Dip.  And, Mike Craven arrives this afternoon from Atlanta on his way nawth, so I'll have some adult supervision.   

Bill

[Thunderbutt]

Hi Bill, was great seeing you and Kathi at the SSR.  I'm with wymple on this one, take the damaged cover to an automotive paint store where they can use a scope and match the paint. Check with a local auto body paint shop they can tell you where they buy their supplies. After it is mixed they can place it in an aerosol paint can for application.  I did this for my Triumph T160 and the results came out very good, pretty sure I paid $18-$25.00 per can/color.  I did all the prep work, sanded, primed, taped, sprayed the different base coat colors, and sanded the edges where the different colors met.  Afterwards I had a professional paint shop spray the clear coat which really brought the colors out and added the gloss.  They charged me $100.00 which is about what the hourly labor rate is in the Tampa Bay area.  That covered the material (clear coat), and labor- spray and buffing.
If your determined to do it yourself, just be patient and try to sand the gouges out making the surface as smooth as possible.  Don't sand to hard or you 'll leave flat spots.  Spray the primer and inspect to see if the gouges still show.  If it meets your high standards, scuff and spray your color coat.  Fortunately the employee at the paint store was very knowledgeable and provided step by step instructions for me.  Good luck  and keep us posted.

Jerry

[bratman2]

I took my bags to my brother's body shop and he matched the silver perfect. I took the bags apart, the pins had small holes on my 09 that allowed me to drift them out. They have not moved in the two or mores years since I had this done. I disassembled all hardware and separated the lid from the black bodies. He taped the little MG emblem up perfectly, he has had decades of practice. A small independent shop maybe be your best economical but professional choice. Of course, less than a year later, I stop at my daughter's house on the way home. Just finished a 12 hr. nightshift and forgot to put the kick stand down. Maybe a redo this winter. Maybe do the whole fairing as it has several rock chips now.