1965 British Fiberglass Motorcycle Fairings - 6-Page Vintage Article

Description

1965 British Fiberglass Motorcycle Fairings - 6-Page Vintage Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
LONDON, England: The use of syn-
thetic resin bonded glass fibers in the auto-
motive mass-production field has hardly
lived up to its initial promise. Early students
of fiberglass confidently forecast a turn to
plastic bodies which would oust the tra-
ditional sheet steel. That this has not
happened is due to a number of cost and
technical factors (but outside the scope of
this article). Yet evidence of extensive ex-
perimental work by the world’s leading auto
companies suggests that the “all-plastic"
car will arrive, probably later than sooner.
Meantime, fiberglass is recommended for
small production runs, and where new
shapes are required without heavy tooling
losses. Good tensile properties and com-
parative ease of repair are other important
considerations favoring fiberglass.
One application which immediately
springs to mind is for motorcycle fairings.
Indeed, the advance of fiberglass knowledge
has alone made fairing manufacture a prac-
tical proposition.
The earlier mention of fiberglass being
particularly adaptable to small production
runs should not pass without qualification.
In England there is a firmly based fairings
industry; and certainly Mitchenall Brothers
of Wiltshire do not count their efforts in
ones and twos. Now they rate as the largest
fairing manufacturers and since entering
the motorcycle accessory field in 1954. deliv-
eries of their streamlined handlebar fairings
have long since soared past the half-million
mark. Weekly production of all ’‘Avon"
fairings, in the busy Durrington factory,
is also very impressive.
But however far the sales graphs can be
pushed upwards, mass production methods
must be ruled out in the face of English
motorcycling economics. In the U.K. only
about 22% of new street machine owners
can be considered as potential fairing cus-
tomers. And “fairings” covers a wide range
of types, from the simple to the compre-
hensive. Price differential, type for type,
also varies considerably. Very cheap fair-
ings must compete in a smallish market
against the better quality products. Mitche-
nalls. incidentally, have a reputation for top
class design and workmanship, aimed at
the discerning motorcyclists.
TWO METHODS
The two main methods of fiberglass pro-
duction currently in use are “hot-press”
and “contact” (hand) molding. The former
has the advantage of ensuring constant
thickness and strength. But the molded fin-
ish is poor and certainly below the standard
required of motorcycle fairings. So the
“hot-press” molding will inevitably require
some fairly extensive finishing operations.
In simplest terms, the hot-press system
employs accurately matched dies which are
heated during molding. Quick setting resins
are used; and the whole operation can be
completed in only three to four minutes.
Another look at the comparable tooling
costs shows why mass production is out of
the question. For a component 18" x 18".
with double curvature, the hot-press dies
cost in the region of £1.200 (,300), com-
pared with a £20 () contact mold. On
the other hand, a hot-press die set has an
indefinite life (but must be continually in
use to pay its way). Component cost of the
small (18" x 18") molding works out at
some 65% of the hand made article.
Mitchenall fairings are hand laid in open
molds constructed from polyester. This type
of mold is an expendable item, with a nor-
mally estimated life of 160 units. At that
stage, weaknesses in the mold and poor
surface finishes can be expected. This in-...
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