adhesive for turn signals?

brandonmccann · 02-07-2013, 06:37 PM

Alright,

So when I had first dropped my bike it broke off a turn signal. The problem is that the turn signal is fine, but it broke where it bolts into the headlight housing. To better explain: There is a small part of my headlight housing broke off and I need a glue that will properly put it back together to ensure my turn signal doesn't slip out.

I tried an epoxy as instructed by a hardware store here....but it never bonded. Ideas?

tbarstow · 02-07-2013, 08:05 PM

Just use some silicone.

henrymartin · 02-07-2013, 08:11 PM

Contact cement works rather well.

brandonmccann · 02-07-2013, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrymartin

Contact cement works rather well.

What kind? I'm not familiar with any adhesive besides epoxies, silicone, jb weld, normal glue, and gorilla glue..

AviatorTroy · 02-07-2013, 09:04 PM

Does it have to look good? One of the expanding polyurethane glues like gorilla glue stick to anything and fill gaps, but they are unsightly indeed.

A picture would help, but for a repair such as you are describing, I would rough up the inside of the headlight and the cracked area, and dip a piece of fiberglass cloth in epoxy and stick it on there, use masking tape to hold every thing in position until it sets up.

Just trying to visualize what you are working with.

kantuckid · 02-08-2013, 06:46 AM

send a pic then you'll get information based on the situ at hand- thisguessing is pointless!

H96669 · 02-08-2013, 09:49 AM

Epoxies maybe but sure not the 5 minutes type, they'll set before they bond with the plastics. There are some epoxies just for plastics,mostly are of the slow cure type. I have to buy some of the Permatex for another job, also plastics.Need another few minutes digging up the specs/cure times.

My bike came with a turn signal fixed with them expanding poly, sure failed and sure messy and hard to clean later to redo that job.

I have some industrial strenght CA here, the better Krazy glue I may go try it later if just to satisfy myself that it does or doesn't work as advertised on the package. Should work, sold for them applications at motorcycle rallies.

If all else fails, I may just go to my big tube of Polyurethane construction adhesive for decks and subfloors, that stuff sticks to just about anything. Always some of that around here.

The PacRat · 02-08-2013, 10:38 AM

This is a handy website

http://www.thistothat.com/

bomber60015 · 02-08-2013, 01:18 PM

without knowing the material out of which the headlight shell is made, anything psoted is a shot in the dark.

nbsdave · 02-10-2013, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The PacRat

This is a handy website

http://www.thistothat.com/

good site!

brandonmccann · 02-13-2013, 08:36 PM

I used a 5 minute epoxy in the end and it held pretty well. The signal stays in by itself, it's just I don't want to rely on the rubber insert to keep it connected to the headlight.

Anyways, the housing is constructed of ABS plastic and I still don't know of a really good method of getting it back on..permanently. I'd add a picture but apparently I don't have the permissions to do so. I'll upload one to tinypic in a bit I suppose...

02-07-2013, 06:37 PM	#1
brandonmccann ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 35	adhesive for turn signals? Alright, So when I had first dropped my bike it broke off a turn signal. The problem is that the turn signal is fine, but it broke where it bolts into the headlight housing. To better explain: There is a small part of my headlight housing broke off and I need a glue that will properly put it back together to ensure my turn signal doesn't slip out. I tried an epoxy as instructed by a hardware store here....but it never bonded. Ideas?

02-07-2013, 08:11 PM	#3
henrymartin Mr. Tourguide Joined: Sep 2010 Location: South of the Great North Woods Oddometer: 2,630	Contact cement works rather well. __________________ My motorcycle projects blog My Goodreads Profile This is what I do when I'm not here!

02-08-2013, 06:46 AM	#6
kantuckid Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Kentucky-Eastern that is! Oddometer: 1,701	send a pic then you'll get information based on the situ at hand- thisguessing is pointless! __________________ "If I had my life to live over,I'd dare to make more mistakes next time...I'd relax,I'd limber up.I'd be sillier than this trip, take fewer things seriously, I would take more chances... take more trips...climb more mountains...swim more rivers...eat more ice cream." Jorge Luis Borges, at age 85

02-08-2013, 09:49 AM	#7
H96669 A proud pragmatist. Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Hiding off Hwy 6, B.C. Oddometer: 3,001	Epoxies maybe but sure not the 5 minutes type, they'll set before they bond with the plastics. There are some epoxies just for plastics,mostly are of the slow cure type. I have to buy some of the Permatex for another job, also plastics.Need another few minutes digging up the specs/cure times. My bike came with a turn signal fixed with them expanding poly, sure failed and sure messy and hard to clean later to redo that job. I have some industrial strenght CA here, the better Krazy glue I may go try it later if just to satisfy myself that it does or doesn't work as advertised on the package. Should work, sold for them applications at motorcycle rallies. If all else fails, I may just go to my big tube of Polyurethane construction adhesive for decks and subfloors, that stuff sticks to just about anything. Always some of that around here. __________________ Have tools, will travel!

02-08-2013, 10:38 AM	#8
The PacRat I'm that other guy Joined: Dec 2007 Location: the Poison Oak Patch Oddometer: 2,126	This is a handy website http://www.thistothat.com/ __________________ If a hammer don't fix it, then it's an electrical problem.

02-07-2013, 08:05 PM	#2
tbarstow Two-wheelin' Fool Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Viva Lost Wages! Oddometer: 2,570	Just use some silicone.

02-07-2013, 09:04 PM	#5
AviatorTroy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Cincinnati OH/Stuart FL Oddometer: 1,253	Does it have to look good? One of the expanding polyurethane glues like gorilla glue stick to anything and fill gaps, but they are unsightly indeed. A picture would help, but for a repair such as you are describing, I would rough up the inside of the headlight and the cracked area, and dip a piece of fiberglass cloth in epoxy and stick it on there, use masking tape to hold every thing in position until it sets up. Just trying to visualize what you are working with.

02-08-2013, 01:18 PM	#9
bomber60015 Anatomically Correct Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Chicago-ish Oddometer: 2,568	without knowing the material out of which the headlight shell is made, anything psoted is a shot in the dark. __________________ Searching for the immaculate contraption

02-13-2013, 08:36 PM	#11
brandonmccann ^OP Adventurer Joined: Dec 2012 Oddometer: 35	I used a 5 minute epoxy in the end and it held pretty well. The signal stays in by itself, it's just I don't want to rely on the rubber insert to keep it connected to the headlight. Anyways, the housing is constructed of ABS plastic and I still don't know of a really good method of getting it back on..permanently. I'd add a picture but apparently I don't have the permissions to do so. I'll upload one to tinypic in a bit I suppose...

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