A question to those who have drilled a drain in their fairing lower for wet races...
How big of a hole did you drill, and what do you use to plug/seal the hole when conditions are dry?
I;ve seen 3/4" rubber automotive body plugs used for drain holes.
QuoteI;ve seen 3/4" rubber automotive body plugs used for drain holes.
I drilled a hole about pencil size and use a "christmas tree plug" as we call it in the auto industry. Its a plastic plug that has ribs in the stalk that has aproximatly a 3/4 inch head. Works fantastic. They are usually used to fasten hood pads, inner fender skirts, cowel pannels. ect.
Look me up at BHF next weekend and I will give you one or two of them. Mark B.
Very cool. Thanks guys!
No problem... glad to help out.
Berny...
I thought you drained you belly pan, by letting it fall off the bike while racing ;D
XIII
Thats happened a time or two! lol ;)
QuoteThats happened a time or two! lol ;)
Only a time or TWO? ;D
Oh shut up Rob! ;)
I used a drain plug for a boat this insured that the hole was closed off completely. They make these in various sizes.
Am I the only person who has never had a drain hole or plug for it?
QuoteAm I the only person who has never had a drain hole or plug for it?
No, your not alone.
No holes in my lower...
XIII
QuoteAm I the only person who has never had a drain hole or plug for it?
Nope. Never had a drain in my F3 lowers.
Funny thing was someone tried to tell me I had tto have a drain since its in the rules. ???
I have one bike with no hole in the lower.
I have 2 bikes with holes in the lower but are never plugged.
ISTR that you are limited to 2 holes up to 1 inch in diameter.
QuoteI have 2 bikes with holes in the lower but are never plugged.
Are those 2-strokes, i.e. not requiring a lower to contain fluids?
Yes, according the rule book, up to 2 holes of up to 1" in diameter, but must be plugged unless the race is declared wet.
QuoteAre those 2-strokes, i.e. not requiring a lower to contain fluids?
Of course, why race anything else ;)
They do look like fun!
I have 1" holes with plastic plugs I picked up from Ace. I put some silicone on the plugs when I put them in so they seal well, but are still easy to remove if needed.
-z.
Duct tape!
Duct tape is NOT acceptable! oil or coolant will release the adhesive and you end up with fluid on the track.
Thanks for all the replies. I ended up picking up an assortment of automotive-type plugs at Checker prior to BHF and ended up using a rubber one that was about 1/4 in. in size. Made sure the fit was very tight so the plug won't go anywhere and should be very leak-resistant.
Duct tape is NOT acceptable! oil or coolant will release the adhesive and you end up with fluid on the track.[/quote]
My bike passes tech everytime with duct tape over the holes. The rule book doesnt say you cant use it and when my motor broke a rod and puked oil in the belly pan the duct held just fine. Even after the oil caught on fire it was still holding. Now if the oil sat in there for a few hours it will start to leak but so will rubber stopers. :P