Widecase MKIII tool box covers?
Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2022 8:36 pm
Further to an earlier thread on these fibreglass, three (3) pronged, side covers for the toolbox and air filter steel cases on the later widecase singles.
Link to earlier thread: MKIII_side_panel
Alex has since sold this bike and moved onto other non-Ducati projects.
As George (blethermaskite) described in that thread, I have modified the prongs, so that the onerous task of mounting or removing the covers is eased. Unlike George, who uses petroleum jelly when easing the covers into place, I have used red rubber grease or tyre mounting soap. These work well when mounting the cover, but after time both loose their lubricity and the former becomes sticky, so hindering, rather than helping the removal of the cover.
I was thinking that petroleum jelly might hasten the perishing of the rubber material used in the moulding of these 'O' rings. But, I have found that the red rubber grease/ or the environment, is having the same effect on the 'O' rings that I am using after a period of 2 years use.
So, should I try silicone grease, or will this be too slippery to retain the prongs within the 'O' rings?
I have used aluminium plates to fill in the box spaces on previous iterations of this motorcycle. But having used the toolbox to mount all the electrics this time around, I would like to retain them.
Has anybody produced an alternative cover, or alternative fixing method for the fibreglass cover, so that I might modify my own? Any "lightbulb" moments?
Thank you for your time.
Good health, Bill
Link to earlier thread: MKIII_side_panel
Alex has since sold this bike and moved onto other non-Ducati projects.
As George (blethermaskite) described in that thread, I have modified the prongs, so that the onerous task of mounting or removing the covers is eased. Unlike George, who uses petroleum jelly when easing the covers into place, I have used red rubber grease or tyre mounting soap. These work well when mounting the cover, but after time both loose their lubricity and the former becomes sticky, so hindering, rather than helping the removal of the cover.
I was thinking that petroleum jelly might hasten the perishing of the rubber material used in the moulding of these 'O' rings. But, I have found that the red rubber grease/ or the environment, is having the same effect on the 'O' rings that I am using after a period of 2 years use.
So, should I try silicone grease, or will this be too slippery to retain the prongs within the 'O' rings?
I have used aluminium plates to fill in the box spaces on previous iterations of this motorcycle. But having used the toolbox to mount all the electrics this time around, I would like to retain them.
Has anybody produced an alternative cover, or alternative fixing method for the fibreglass cover, so that I might modify my own? Any "lightbulb" moments?
Thank you for your time.
Good health, Bill
