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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through March 24, 2005 » XB 9/12 Double Bubble Trouble Part II - The Solution? « Previous Next »

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Truk
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 08:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It seems to me from the post in "Double Bubble Trouble" there is some degree of problem with the Double Bubble. Doesn't look to matter if is smoke or dark either, though I didn't see anyone with a clear double bubble say they had this problem.

I am wondering myself if it is actually some kind of parabolic effect that is causing a centralization of radiant heat off the inside curvature of the Double Bubble directed back at the top plastic lip of the instrument panel.

But no matter what is causing it, has anyone come up with a permanent way to stop this melting of the instrument panel from happening when using the Double Bubble?

So far, based on M1's comments it looks like the best temporary solution is to leave your gloves on top of the panel when parked outside.

However I was hoping someone out there found a more permanent solution that they know works

Anyone out there found one???
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M1combat
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 10:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Exactly why did we need a part two??

In any case : )...

ZG actually recommends using a rag... Anyone know what the kindling point on your average rag is : )?

I just don't park the bike facing west. I keep it in my mind, I think about it just about every time I park it, and I haven't gotten any more melts since I figured that out.

It happens when the sun is coming in low from the back of the bike, and yes, it is due to the shape. The light reflect off the bottom of the screen, focuses to a line across the gage pod and does it's dirty work...

My gloves cost me nearly $100... I'm not leaving them anywhere when I walk away: ).
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Pcmodeler
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Well, here's an idea, but maybe not a good one. Since you visually won't be looking through the very bottom of the windscreen, you could get some black sign-makers vinyl and apply it to the backside. This would appear as black from the front. Maybe not very attractive, but it might eliminate the problem.
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Exupmonkey
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 11:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Here's a solution...come ride with me here in Scotland...not enough sun to spark a match!!!
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Buelltroll
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 11:42 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You could paint the inside black.
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M1combat
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

It's not sun coming through the screen. It' reflects off the back (inside) of the screen in the morning when the sun is rising and the bike is facing west. I thought about sanding the back of my double bubble... I think that would help and wouldn't add weight. The problem with that is that it would get rid of my "HUD" that the double bubble provides for me : ).
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Trojan
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 12:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ermax screens now come with a plastic 'stick on' sun shade to stop the clocks melting. This attaches to the inside of the screen.
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Truk
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 03:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I agree with M1. I think it is the sun reflecting off the inside, or maybe more accurately it could be the radiant heat from the sun, more so than it's actual light, which due to the shape of the screen is directing and focusing the radiant heat on the top of the cluster.

I was thinking about getting the round preformed black soft rubber pipe insulation like what is used on the pipes of home /car AC units. Cut it the length to fit over the instrument panel and in between it and the Double Bubble. Secure it with double sided tape or Velcro. This would eliminate the focus action of the sun's heat to the top of the instrument cluster. The rubber insulation would be in the way of and interrupt the concentrated focus of heat. Plus it is light and weighs next to nothing, waterproof, etc... And M1 wouldn't have to worry about his $100 gloves.

PS - M1, I did this "Part II" string to get us focused more on a solution. Based on the comments in my first topic I am convinced there is an issue with these...
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Gowindward
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 04:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Paint the inside flat black or use a small section of a foil car windshield shade strapped over the instrument cluster.
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Tatsu
Posted on Friday, March 11, 2005 - 11:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

No.. Contact Zero Gravity and they will send u a liner that goes inside of the windscreen to stop it. Thats the solution to the problem. I'm painting mine anyway.
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Truk
Posted on Saturday, March 12, 2005 - 07:40 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I did contact ZG. They said it was probably due to the type of plastic that Buell uses to house the instrument panel, and that some other manufacturers had similar problems on certain models(Honda RC51 and 929) but assumed that they had changed the type plastic they use since they have not been seeing it on their bikes lately. He did say that he saw it at more tropical climates and when the sun was low and focused into the screen versus coming thru it. He suggested putting a towel or rag on the console. I told him I wasn't interested in carrying around a towel or always having to leave ny gloves on the cluster.

Tatsu, I am not sure that painting will help, since I am not convinced it is the light passing thru, but rather the heat from the sun's light reflecting off the inside and focused on the top of the instrument cluster.

I noticed in your past post that the melting has happened several times on your instrument cluster. Was it always along the top of black plastic that houses the unit? Did it ever happen anywhere else, like say the clear plastic face of the unit?

(Message edited by Truk on March 12, 2005)

(Message edited by truk on March 12, 2005)
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Xbolt12
Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 12:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Mine did it too (bezel only).


xbolt12
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Truk
Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 06:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just for info. I recently purchased the Double Bubble and do not want to take the chance of melting the cluster, but I want to use the Double Bubble. That was why I started this discussion.

To hopefully avoid this potential problem, I did buy some of the soft rubber pipe insulation at a local hardware store. It was $85 cents for a 6ft long piece. Cut several pieces of varying lengths to run length wise above the cluster and fill in the space, and using 1 tie wrap, wrapped them together and carefully wedged it in between the top of the cluster and the underneath the Double Bubble.

It covers the entire top of the Cluster and slightly hangs over the top leading edge. I have the dark Double Bubble and it is not visible from outside the bike. My hope is that by completely filling up the space above the cluster there can occur no air space and distance for convexing of heat or light.

Also, if there still is a melting issue,it would have to melt the rubber pipe insulation first before it could damage the cluster. We will just have to see how it works...
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M1combat
Posted on Friday, March 18, 2005 - 06:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Good luck : ).
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