As I see summer coming to a close here in Mi. and I look at all my winter projects, the plastics on my 28 are looking pretty sad. Before I got the bike it had been layed down at least once and the front fairing is cracked in several places, The lower left has also been melted in one place by the exhaust. I'm contemplating what can be repaired (our main kart racing sponsor is a top notch body shop) vs. what should be replaced. I figure I better get the costs and availablity up front so I can make an informed descision.
I see the Chinese ebay bodies all day long and wonder about them. Are they junk? Are oem parts still available?
Thanks,
Dan
_________________
1996 MC28

If you have the OEM plastics, you can do a pretty good job of repairing and refabricating some of the broken parts with the ABS shavings/powder and acetone. They do sell kits such as Plastex that are the same thing, in a nice convenient package. It even comes with a molding strip, that you can heat up and shape to reform broken tabs, etc. I don't think new OEM Honda plastics are even available anymore, and the people selling whatever stock they have are charging $$$.

The Chinese bodywork is a mixed bag from what I've been able to find. Granted most, if not all the opinions I've read about it are not NSR kits. A lot of the newer bikes have pretty complicated parts and pieces so I can see there being less room for error in the fitment (which is a huge complaint). The NSR kits are 7 pretty large pieces from what I can tell, so I'd guess that fitting would be a lot easier, even if you had to tool it a bit. I can't say about the quality of the paint jobs on these kits though. I've heard that the kits are made to order, which would explain some of the lengthy shipping times as well.

See anything here? If so, let me know and I'll give you a rough idea of cost

http://search1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/search/auc?p=MC28&auccat=2084016459

I recently bought a complete set brand new from honda...so they are still available. Not cheap though!

What do you call "not cheap"? And do you recall if the plastics could be purchased seperately, such as the front?
When I looked on-line all I could find was the sides and they ran about $650US per side. And I consider that not cheap for sure!
Thanks,
Dan

Well I just bought genuine Rothmans nose cone, side panels, seat left and right and light surround for just over £1100 shipped in the UK.

Yes you can buy the panels seperately if you find a good supllier but the prices are pretty much what you said. Then again at least once you shelled out the cash you have the proper kit that fits properly. Sure you could get copy panels for less (probably half the price) but it wont fit as well, wont look as good and you will always know its not genuine.

I guess the choice comes down to what you want to acheive from your bike...one day I want mine back to as near new condition as I could get it, this was the cheapest, easiest option to do this properly. If you want a bike to look good but dont care how genuine it is then you could get your repaired and resprayed.


Leigh

Ah right, you're after brand new. Appologies, I didn't realise

I dont think he is after brand new, I was just stating that they are still available and are a possible alternative.

Thanks Watfordhorn. You're right, I need to determine which path I want to take. OEM is my first choice providing I can source it reasonabily.

Andy C,
When I first looked at the items you linked I didn't realize they were oem. I thought they might be repo's. After looking at them I realize they are oem. (I think?)
I'll probably get bitched at for discussing auction purchases here, but is it easy to buy from Yahoo Japan? There are a couple items on there that are calling my name!


Last edited by sgthui on Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:30 am; edited 1 time in total

sgthui wrote:Thanks Watfordhorn. You're right, I need to determine which path I want to take. OEM is my first choice providing I can source it reasonabily.

Andy C,
Are the items you linked OEM or repo's? I'm no good at reading japanese

They're all different, most are used OEM panels, a few are glass fibre replacements, (denotable by the letters "FRP"). If you click on an item, minimise the window, then open up a new window, go to google then at the top click on "More", then "Even More", then "translate", you can then enter the URL into the google translator and it will give you a better idea of condition and other details. It won't translate it fluently but enough to get a better idea. Alternatively, stick the URL on here and I'll have a look for you. I've picked up a few body kits for people on here, mainly MC16 and 18 tho. Are you looking for Rothmans panels?

Andy C,
I just edited my original post before I realized you replied. You're fast!
I'm looking for panels for an R3R (Day glow colors) I'll follow your instructions and try to read more. I assume this is priced in Japanese Yen?
Thanks much!
Dan

Yup, al prices are in Jp Yen, currency converter here:-

http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter#from=USD;to=EUR;amt=1

I use an agent and they charge $5 US for anything up to and including 1,000 yen, $10 for anyhting up to 10,000 yen, then $10 per 10,000 yen upwards. I have to place a 100% returnable deposit on all bids. I can cover the smaller stuff but nothing to expensive. I don't make on this myself, apart form the occasional pint of ale if I find something impossible to get hold of in Europe. I'm always getting stuff for my own bikes so it's no effort to get other parts. 99% of the items I get are two stroke parts.


Have Pmd you with more details.

I've bought quite a few bits off YahooJapan using AndyC and his agent. Great service, highly recomended.

I look forward to it!
I have to be careful while balancing my "disposable income" and my family life or else I will become "disposable".
I'll be monitoring the site in the meanwhile.
Dan