tadhgocuilleain
Registered user
Looks good. 
GSA BMW Panniers - Finish Quality vs Vinyl Wrap
- Thread starter gsbiker
- Start date
One of the things I didn't realise until I watched Jim's video of stripping the bodywork off a Watercooled was that the side panels are actually the fuel tank - unlike the Hexheads. That will make protection a priority for me when I change machines! However, I might resist the zebra look! 
Looks good.
Thank you
auf_wiedersehen_pet
Registered user
I've done the last bits, so took the bike out of the garage for a photo with the panniers on. I like it.
Very tidy. You got any close ups?
auf_wiedersehen_pet
Registered user
Still working on mine.
Bungy
Registered user
Wrapped mine the other day with a £40 kit from a local vinyl supplier. Everything cut to size and laid out on a sheet in 3 separate lots for the 3 panniers. I floated them on using mildly soapy water. After talking to Danny I have considered lining them as well using veltrim.
Tried plastidip on mine. It's lasted about 6 months before it started to degrade.
At motorway speeds the wind "cuts" the coating on the panniers on any sharp edges. Then it gets underneath the loose edge and huge parts come off. I lost the coating on the bottom of my panniers in France on the autoroute....
The tops have faired a bit better - but where I have scuffed with my boots getting on and off the bike and where my tent sat is not peeling off.
Again the sides are pulling away where there are sharp edges.
It's to "temporary" to be permanent.
Next trial will be etch primer and some satin black hammerite.
Tom
At motorway speeds the wind "cuts" the coating on the panniers on any sharp edges. Then it gets underneath the loose edge and huge parts come off. I lost the coating on the bottom of my panniers in France on the autoroute....
The tops have faired a bit better - but where I have scuffed with my boots getting on and off the bike and where my tent sat is not peeling off.
Again the sides are pulling away where there are sharp edges.
It's to "temporary" to be permanent.
Next trial will be etch primer and some satin black hammerite.
Tom
Gargy
Registered user
Still working on mine.
Have you drilled out all the rivets and changed them for st/st button heads ?
auf_wiedersehen_pet
Registered user
Yep. I wanted to fold the vinyl under the joins and corners. Took bloody ages!
auf_wiedersehen_pet
Registered user
I did a satin black hammerite top surface on my Discovery bonnet. Faded like mad in the sun.
Good to know. Luckily I have done this with the aim of it being temporary protection. I have 2 extra cans and you can top up the finish. The panniers won't see a lot of action as I normally use a tail pack for day to day riding. Too much of a pansy for this adventure thing.
I will see how the deflectors and little windshield holds up. I gave it a generous 5 or 6 coats.
There is another product but it gives a vinyl type finish and is reported to last longer in more exposed areas. That may be worth a try when this fetish comes to an end. I like the black panniers and for the GSA it just looks right. Back in the days adventurers didn't have the time or funds for such indulgence but for the modern man with some disposable income and rarely available free time this is just pure pron.
Thanks for the comments and I should add that the full black panniers looks ace. It is a job and a half doing it to such level of detail. Stripping a BMW pannier is a ballsy affair
.
Mr Anderson
Registered user
BMW should just offer bloody black ones in the first place!
Hi Tom
Just back from a trip in France and the plastidip took a beating with the boots. Back home I aimed the jet wash at them and some of the plastidip came off. I think Gargy has the neatest solution but I really like the matt black look of the panniers. I'm concidering giving them a paint job.
In hopefully going to tackle this this weekend. I have some etch primer so I'm going to dismantle as much of them as I can without drilling rivetts and spray them.
I'll let you know how I get on.
Tom
DJ GSA
Registered user
Yes please. Sounds like an interesting project
