Putting on new roundels

[Melena]

I've got the new roundels to put on my bike.   But I was wondering what is the best way to protect them once on the bike so they don't get scratched up right away.  Oh, and not dissolved by the gas that slops over when I'm trying to fill the tank.  

Would putting on a good coat of wax help?  I'm thinking of trying to touch up the little scratches on the tank and then waxing it while I'm doing all this.  

The whole bike could use a painting, but that's not going to happen this year.

[Justin B.]

I'm wondering if you could apply some of the 3M paint protection film over 'em.  I put it on the back of my '81 R100 gas tank to keep my belt buckle from gouging it up...  Of course, that won't keep the good ol' UV from doing it's thing...

I just checked  http://www.ppffilm.com/ and it mentions UV resistance on the new "Gen 3" film...

[Bob_Roller]

There's not a whole lot you can do to protect the roundels, I replaced the roundels on my '81 about 5 years ago ( I'm on my third replacement set ), and I see that I didn't remove a protective clear covering that was applied to it, so you may want to check and for this before installing them .

[montmil]

I've got the new roundels to put on my bike.   But I was wondering what is the best way to protect them once on the bike so they don't get scratched up right away.  Oh, and not dissolved by the gas that slops over when I'm trying to fill the tank.  

Would putting on a good coat of wax help?  I'm thinking of trying to touch up the little scratches on the tank and then waxing it while I'm doing all this.  

The whole bike could use a painting, but that's not going to happen this year.

Before attempting to touch up scratches, I'd suggest a good cleaning to help the paint bond solidly. Follow that chore with a good polish product that has a light cutting action. The polish will help level the touch-up paint and make it a bit less noticeable. Then wax it up shiny.

My touch-up work usually involves wet sanding the spots with 1000 grit but let's not go there right now.

As the roundels have a curved rather than flat surface, there could be issues with wrinkles or bubbles using a clear film. Gasoline will likely attack the film adhesive so you'll just trade one concern for another.

Stick 'em on, wax 'em up and ride on. Have you considered a rattle can shot of clear to add an additional layer of protection?

Monte  

[Justin B.]

The 3M film conforms nicely and you're not supposed to pour gas all over the side of your tank!

[MrRiden]

Melina,
You have those impossible to use vapor recovery gas hoses in your state. Takes some getting use to fueling a bike. While on a ride there a friend bathed his bike in gas at almost every stop. There is some sort of fork shaped thingie out there that holds the vapor recovery boot back enabling you to fill the bike without spills.
rich
Oh, just slap the badges on and ride, that's why they make new ones.

[Ed Miller]

I thought you just used two hands: one for the controls, the other one to hold back that rubber bellows thingy.  I can't remember if I ever filled up a bike with them before, though.  

[Bob_Roller]

We had them in Phoenix about 10-15 years ago, you had to hold back the outer rubber boot, or the fuel would not be dispensed out of the fuel nozzle.

If you just pushed it into the filler opening, at best you would only get half a tank of fuel, before the auto shut off activated.

[Justin B.]

Ed, that's my technique...

[Melena]

Melina,
You have those impossible to use vapor recovery gas hoses in your state. Takes some getting use to fueling a bike. While on a ride there a friend bathed his bike in gas at almost every stop. There is some sort of fork shaped thingie out there that holds the vapor recovery boot back enabling you to fill the bike without spills.
rich
Oh, just slap the badges on and ride, that's why they make new ones.  

Yeah, that rubber boot has to be held back.  And I do have one of those fork shaped thingies.  I forgot I had it and found it in the pocket of my mesh jacket when I went to wash it.  If I remember right, I just got it at the last rally I was at.  I'll have it with me the next time I get gas.  I don't always spill gas, but sometimes it bubbles up and splashes over.  

Knowing me, I'll just slap on the badges and take off.  It's only 2 more weekends until my trip to the 49er Rally and if I want them on I probably won't have time to anything more than that anyway.  

Stick 'em on, wax 'em up and ride on. Have you considered a rattle can shot of clear to add an additional layer of protection?

I like your idea Monte.  The rattle can clear just might do the job.  As far as the scratches, I've even heard of people using a black crayon to cover them up and then waxing over the whole thing.  I just remembered that.  That would make things easier.  I like easy.    

I'm also going to put the R65 emblems on the battery covers.  I went back and found the info on putting them on, so I'm going to try that this week sometime.  I've got the covers off the bike and in a safe place....................now if I can just remember where that safe place is............