VF500 Seat Cowl Loan to Make a Mold?

OK, I can't seem to find one of these seat cowls for the VF500F.



I like the way they look and was wondering... does anybody have one that I could borrow to make a latex/silicone mold, to reproduce some 'pattern' parts in fiberglass?

I want one cowl for myself, and I'm sure there would be a few of you that would buy one too!

I would be willing to pay for shipping both ways, and a security deposit if required. I have a 100% positive feedback rating on eBay (650+ transactions) so I'm an honest dude, and you'll get your cowl back in original condition.

Any takers? I would need the cowl for about a week or two to make the mold.

Thanks!
BLIGHT

 

I have a perfect one I'm willing to loan... but... I get a replica and mine shipped back to me. I'll pay the shipping to you, but, yes, security deposit required.

 

Hi Cap'n... OK, sounds like a deal, so how much deposit do you want? Lemme know... we can work out details and shipping information. Email me at blight1@comcast.net

Honda has pretty much abandoned us on body parts and decals/stripes too for our Gen 1's. We now have to fend for ourselves... kinda like the Cubans still using 1950's USA cars for transportation and taxis!

Cheers,
BLIGHT

 

Hey, Captain... still up for the seat cowl project?

BLIGHT

 

Yep... still in. I'll email you later... 60 degrees here in Seattle and I'm gonna take a quick ride before the Superbowl.

 

Hello Blight, I am very interested in this project and certainly would like a seat cowl when you start making them. Please keep us updated on your progress and thanks for taking the trouble to do it.

John

 

+1

Please keep us posted on the progress!

 

That's mine in the foto you posted. I also have an 84 version without a cowl, so I might be interested in one, maybe two, depending on price and how it looks when done. Keep me posted.

 

Another few things to think about:

You don't mention the year model of your bike, but I don't think all the years have the small metal strip/tab on the underside of the rear grab bar in order to lock the cowl to. Speaking of locks, is the hardware for the lock still available from the Mother Ship? You'll need a lock, the small key, a clip for the underside, and the aforementioned metal strip/nut for the grab bar. Also, the screws for the seat, but those are still available (see my other post on this as I recently bought them again).

 

You need the grab handle from an 84/85. The 86 is taller and lacks the threaded hole.

 

Project is on hold until I get some good photos, measurements & tracing from another forum member. I plan on making my pattern a little different than the OEM one, purely for personal aesthetics... I don't much care for the protruding grab handle, and the two forward facing ears on the cover.

I would build mine to fit the VF500 without the grab bar, and would mount with some screws at the front into a short metal tab coming up on each (under) side of the seat. The rear would just be held down with some hidden velcro.

Probably eliminate the rear bump pad too, just to keep a low profile. It may not suit others, but it's what I would prefer to see them look like.

BLIGHT

 

Protruding grab handle...you talking about the real cowl "tail"? The blue part in my foto @ the top? So...no grab bar means...no lock/lock hardware, which means...no storage underneath, I'm guessing?

I personally like the bump pad. I recently bought yet another Corbin for mine (another solo seat) and had the real Corbin hump trimmed down to fit the OEM cowl. The Corbin with new foam was the best "suspension upgrade" I've made...and the cheapest! No more feeling the frame rails on big bumps.

Did you get the cowl offered by a lister above to use as a template?

 

It was offered but we both decided that it was too risky that it might be damaged in the slightest way in my handling of it, or in the shipment back & forth. I can work off of really good pics with a properly placed ruler in them for scale, along with a tracing on paper of the lower 'flat' edge.

Yes, I would remove the grab handle altogether and the 'lock'. Never had a lock on my other VFR's or Interceptors and never had one stolen. How much storage is there really? Last time I put something in a seat cowl compartment on another bike, it ended up flopping around and damaged the cowl. Only good for gloves & soft stuff... I stuff those in my helmet when I dismount & park.

Again... my design's not for everyone and I have to like the design myself or I just won't bother building the molds to make it. I haven't done a Photoshop of the idea in my head, but probably should to see if it looks as good as I think it will...

UPDATE: I did a quick Photoshop to see about what my idea could look like (oh, and also with VF1000R Comstar wheels!!):



Cheers!
BLIGHT

 

Sorry to jump off topic, but do you or wgregt happen to have pics or can take pics of the mounts for that rear cowl? I have one and would love to get it mounted on my bike but lack the brackets to mount it. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

Blight, email sent.

Edit... Wow, your Comcast sucks for size of attachments. I'll try some lower res shots.

 

I think I am going to tackle this project. After exhausting search, and finding nothing, I figure might as well make my own. I would love one to loan to measure, but think I can wing it. I worked for a fiberglass company, so know gelcoat and glass. Will get to it over the next while, let everyone know how it goes. I like the HRC one as is, so will just try and make it like that. OH, I have an 85VF500F.

 

Let us know what you come up with and some photos of the finished product. Depending on price, I may want one for my latest, an 86 VFR500F.

 

Ok, will do. Will be a while, i need to build a mold from scratch.....which means a "plug" mock up of the original out of wood. Looking forward to seeing what I can come up with...so I will be able to pull off quite a few I suppose.....thinking it would be great to have it hinge at the front with a lock into the rear grab handle, and some storage below......Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Here is the mock up....just cardboard covered in red duct tape....but a good start....was fun. Watched a few videos of guys using Carbon Fibre.....not sure if I want painted to look like original or trick Carbon Fiber.........

 

So, I cut the cowl down an inch and then coloured it white. I'm no photoshop guru, but you get the idea. Any thoughts????