Dropped it :( DIY vs garage?

Zoo chick · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2017 Karma :

Hello! Does anyone have any advice on DIY repair vs garage? I dropped my scooter on a gravelly bend. I luckily flew right off into some grass, but my bike is pretty badly scratched (some photos attached - there is wayyy more).

I went to a Honda garage to assess it and it's mechanically fine, but they've quoted me a ridiculous £2k to restore it to it's original glory because so many parts are affected.

I don't want to go through insurance so I'm looking at replacing the really cracked/ damaged bits, trying to fix the rest myself (I love a good project but I've never done it myself before) and living with a few small imperfections. I'm not selling the bike anytime soon.

Is it DIYable?
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Moo. · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Karma :

eBay is your friend. Find the right panels and fit yourself. Job jobbed. £2k is ridiculous
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NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

..... · Quote Me Happy Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Karma :

Leave it, it's just cosmetic and you won't be doubly pissed off when it happens again.

ZX-7R · Banned Joined: 24 Jan 2016 Karma :

Looking at the damage i'd repair and spray it myself.Use a spray can correctly and you will still get a decent looking finish.
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Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

M.C · Super Spammer Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :

As above I'd leave it, check breakers on eBay (also Gumtree) but they always want stupid money for what are normally damaged bits (inspect the photos carefully). If you find an individual selling bits (especially in auction format) they'll be a lot cheaper.

kgm · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jun 2015 Karma :

Agree. All of my bikes have a few battle scars. That looks pretty minor, just cosmetic work. If you want to fix it then as others have suggested try breakers and ebay for panels. You can always rattle can them yourself. Personally I loathe painting so I pay a local guy to do mine for me properly. A full fairing respray (single metallic colour with decals) was under £200 and looks like new. Got all my plastics and tank done on a 125 for about £250.

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Looks like a few scratches on a couple of bits of plastic so yes, you can DIY the replacements if you want but as everyone else has already said, just leave it cos spend £2k fixing a few scratches, you'll be even more pissed off when you drop it again.

On the off chance that we've all failed to notice something significant, what has the dealer said needs doing?

Zoo chick · L Plate Warrior Joined: 18 May 2017 Karma :

Thanks for the replies guys!

Not sure why all of the pictures didn't upload. Here are a few more. I intentionally haven't included everything because most of it is barely noticeable.

There is a hefty list of bits the dealer gave me a quote for, including mirrors, pillion steps, floor, levers, and various nuts and screws, all of which I don't care about. I'm thinking I probably need to replace the cracked bits because they don't clip together properly anymore, and I want to give the scratches some attention so they don't rust. My key also bent 45 degrees, but it still works and I have a spare. I'm more concerned about it affecting longevity than it looking a bit scuffed. Also I don't want my parents to freak out and start worrying about my safety haha

I've tried looking online for parts, but I can't find any to match the colour. Reckon it's worth trying a local garage for replacement bits and pieces?
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Polarbear · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2007 Karma :

First thing, don't use your bent key, get another cut and have as a spare so you have 2 good keys. Sods law says the bent key will break off in the lock.

With my marine engineers head on I'd drill the end of the cracks to stop them propagating and then fill/fibreglass and sand down followed by a touch up.

With my bikers head I'd try plastic welding or get someone who does plastic welding to fix it but I admit I don't know how much it costs to get done.

I'm sure someone will come along with figures.
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Falco · Traffic Copper Joined: 27 Nov 2015 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

techsnap · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 02 Jul 2015 Karma :

Apart from the labour, lot of the big Honda cost will be the exhaust guard.

I tried to get one to replace a missing item on a Honda PS125, and found that they don't sell them separately, instead you have to replace the whole exhaust at over £350 parts only!!

Falco · Traffic Copper Joined: 27 Nov 2015 Karma :

skatefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Feb 2010 Karma :

Panels off, soldering iron to plastic weld the cracks from the back.
A little vinyl if it gets messy.
Sand down the scratches and get some 'sticker bomb' vinyl from flea bay and cover up. Job jobbed quickly and easily, cost about £20 !