[PostWYrider]

I have been looking for a radiator cowl for my VLX and the only ONE I have found cost to much and isn't the look I want.

So I decided I am going to try something. I got a HUGE block of styrofoam for FREE. I am going to make my cowl out of this to get the exact shape I want. Then I will cover the styrofoam with fiberglass thus making my cowl. I think it will work, do you?

Here is the nice thing, This block of foam is big enough that if I mess up 1 2 or even 3 times I still have enough styrofoam left.

If it won't work then I am out no money. I will be sure to take pictures so if it does turn out.

If anyone has a better idea for making a cowl please let me know.

 

[litnin]

I have been looking for a radiator cowl for my VLX and the only ONE I have found cost to much and isn't the look I want.

So I decided I am going to try something. I got a HUGE block of styrofoam for FREE. I am going to make my cowl out of this to get the exact shape I want. Then I will cover the styrofoam with fiberglass thus making my cowl. I think it will work, do you?

Here is the nice thing, This block of foam is big enough that if I mess up 1 2 or even 3 times I still have enough styrofoam left.

If it won't work then I am out no money. I will be sure to take pictures so if it does turn out.

If anyone has a better idea for making a cowl please let me know.

There's no reason it shouldn't work... but to give you some advice, once
you start glassing it up... take some of that foam and cut it in to strips.
Once you have the foam block glassed up and dry, take those strips
and put them on the inside of the unit and glass over them.
Once you glass over them, the glass will be reinforcing ribbing and it
will make the cowl stronger. Also, where you plan on bolting it in,
put some good heavy washers in it and glass over them.
That will give you a solid mounting hole.

Will it work? Absolutely. Corvettes are fiberglass... our old race car
was completely fiberglass... No reason it won't work if you take
your time and do it right.

Don't mix the glass real hot also. It will cure quicker, but it won't be
as strong.
Mix as the instructions say and be patient and let it cure normally,
don't try to speed up the process by adding more hardener.

Just curious, where did you find one for sale?

 

[O'Larry]

Don't forget to make the block a little smaller than the item you want. Otherwise when you finish the job it will be oversized! Just a thought!

 

[PostWYrider]

Thanks for the advice and ideas so far.

Litnin - The only one I have been able to find is an Aussie company. Here is the link to the item.

http://www.accessoryinternational.c...en=PROD&Store_Code=AI&Product_Code=AUGZHA0700

 

[litnin]

Thanks for the advice and ideas so far.

Litnin - The only one I have been able to find is an Aussie company. Here is the link to the item.

http://www.accessoryinternational.c...en=PROD&Store_Code=AI&Product_Code=AUGZHA0700

Thanks for the link... yeah, that's not my style either.
I wouldn't mind getting one, but I'm not gonna give up my chrome radiator
grill for that particular one...
I'm looking for one that will just bolt on the lower section and not
interfere with the radiator grill.

Be sure to post up some pics if/when you get it made!

 

[PostWYrider]

Highway Hawk used to carry what you are looking for. They called it a chin spoiler. I don't see it listed on thier site anymore though.

THen there is a guy over at the VLX boards who makes one out of a rear fender off the VLX.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mb/listsf.asp?webtag=vlxriders&nav=start

Here is a pic of one made from a rear fender.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1130/goldbikeuc3.jpg

 

[litnin]

Wow!

When I was reading that you said it was made out of a rear fender,
I was expecting it to look all jerry-rigged, but that actually looks pretty good.

Yeah, I had heard about Highway Hawk and they didn't have one when I looked a few weeks ago.
I'll keep that rear fender thing in mind. I've got mine all torn
apart right now... maybe I can find a fender on eBay or something
and make one.