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Advice - Drilling Plastic

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  • Advice - Drilling Plastic

    Need advice not really mechanical.

    So i am rewiring my beck end. Previous owner did a fender removal but just cut the tail light out. Last year i had a terrible LED plate light install with speakers wire. So now im doing it right and using bullet connectors (The good ones with the removable plastic hood) But i need to make two new holes in the rear fender to run them. So what’s the best way to do that? Standard drill?

  • #2
    Yup standard bit. Make sure you don't punch through anything on the other side that you don't want to.
    2004 GSX750F

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    • #3
      Make sure the drill bit is sharp. Otherwise it will heat up and melt the plastic as you're drilling through.
      sigpic Mulholland Hwy Ride
      1992 Katana GSX600F (on permanent loan to a family member)
      2000 Suzuki Hayabusa
      First Hayabusa Commercial Hayabusa Design
      Hayabusa #1 Wonder of Motorcycles

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      • #4
        Run the drill at low speed. You'll get a cleaner hole that way.
        Wherever you go... There you are!

        17 Inch Wheel Conversion
        HID Projector Retrofit

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        • #5
          I use a step bit
          I find they drill a perfect round hole and dont tend to grab like a standard bit
          Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

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          • #6
            Originally posted by rexazz2 View Post
            I use a step bit
            I find they drill a perfect round hole and dont tend to grab like a standard bit
            http://www.irwin.com/tools/browse/dr...it-step-drills
            +1 They aren't cheap, but they make a much nicer hole, and aren't nearly as prone to cracking plastic.
            Pics
            Pics
            No pics yet
            Just because they sound the same doesn't mean they are: there≠their≠they're; to≠too≠two; its≠it's; your≠you're; know≠no; brake≠break

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            • #7
              as opposed to fairing plastics, you don't have to worry about the fender cracking or breaking. the plastic is quite pliable and very tough....which it has to be too stand up to rocks and road debris that might get kicked up by your tire.

              with that said....go at it with whatever you have that will poke a hole through it. definitely don't waste your money on an expensive new drill bit. if all you have is a rusty old dull one, then use that. you can always clean up the edges with a sharp knife if you have to. basically, just do whatever it takes. aside from trying to poke a hole through it with a jack hammer, it is very unlikely you will be able to crack or break anything. and if the drill is dull and just heats up, well so be it....still ain't going to hurt anything. as long as you get the hole you want. with due respect to the others who posted advice, it is not as nearly as complicated or "fussy" of a job as they make it sound. I would suggest following Chris's advice though....just watch you don't drill through something you don't want to drill through.

              I would suggest sticking a rubber grommet in the hole if you have one. if not, silicone the hole and around wire to keep water from getting through.

              disclaimer: the preceding advice is based on the assumption that the 600 and 750 kats use the same basic pliable abs plastic found on every other bike fender out there. if by some chance the 600 and 750 kats are unique and use fenders made up of a different material, I am not responsible if my advice leaves you with a cracked fender. I am 99.999999999% they are the same as the fenders on the 1100 kats, which I am familiar with, but I will still use this disclaimer to cover my azz. :
              Last edited by Mojoe; 03-24-2012, 12:15 PM.
              I don't have a short temper. I just have a quick reaction to bullshit.




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              • #8
                Originally posted by Mojoe View Post
                I would suggest sticking a rubber grommet in the hole if you have one. if not, silicone the hole and around wire to keep water from getting through.
                Good point about the grommet, it's always nice not to have the plastic cut through the wire's insulation
                Pics
                Pics
                No pics yet
                Just because they sound the same doesn't mean they are: there≠their≠they're; to≠too≠two; its≠it's; your≠you're; know≠no; brake≠break

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                • #9
                  yes, that is another thing. and kudos to you for catching that.
                  I don't have a short temper. I just have a quick reaction to bullshit.




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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by thetable View Post
                    +1 They aren't cheap, but they make a much nicer hole, and aren't nearly as prone to cracking plastic.
                    I got a "sale" on a set of three in case for less than $20
                    Didnt need them when I bought them but I still bought them
                    Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

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                    • #11
                      even on sale, $20 is too much for drilling a hole in a fender. hell, for $5 I will do it with an old manual drill and a wood bit. :
                      I don't have a short temper. I just have a quick reaction to bullshit.




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                      • #12
                        Like I said , bought on sale
                        I had used them before for work
                        A great addition to a tool box
                        Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

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                        • #13
                          actually they are handy to have. it's not every day that you need them, but they pay for themselves the first time you really do.
                          I don't have a short temper. I just have a quick reaction to bullshit.




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                          • #14
                            Thanks guys just used a standard bit it worked fine. Quite prowd of my wireing and will post picks. But right now bike wont IDLE properly. So i need to get that fixed

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