Cycle wing fixing

[JP]

On eof my bolts and the rubber washer seem to have worn out the hole in the cycle wing so its only effectively held on by 3 bolts. I'm about to replace it but I remeber someone talking about gluing the wings on - far nicer cosmetically I imagine but does it really work? Anyone had any nasty wing flying off at high speed experiences?

[Anthony]

Hi, suggest the Wurth black glue is worth a try and Harry Flatters had some excellent fixings from recollection that provide a wider surface area for bonding

 

Over to you Harry...

 

Anthony

 

VX the real way sideways

 

 

[Bob Corb]

Sorry to but in...

 

I've just bolted on some new race winsgstays and am about to reach for the mastic gun...

 

I dont suppose I could have some of these "fixings" too - in exchange for a donation to NTL??

 

Yours cheekily

 

Bob

[Harry Flatters]

OK, these fixings come from a company called Bighead Fasteners. Essentially, all their fixings are based on a perforated steel or stainless steel plate and attached (welded) to this plate can be a huge variety of fittings, like threaded studs, nuts etc. Look here for some examples (although, at the time of posting their site looks like it's having a few problems).

 

I know other posters have used these guys and like me found them very very helpful. Most people seem to have gone for fasteners with studs, so still needing to drill your wing stays. I did not want the agro of drilling and getting it wrong then re-drilling and turning my stays into Swiss cheese (although lighter 😬) so I got some of they fittings with s/s cable tie loops. If you want to order some, ring and speak to Dave (one of their engineers) and mention Caterham wing fixings and he will sort you out.

 

As standard the gap between the loops is a bit too small for the 16mm stay, but all you have to do is press the fastener onto the stay and the loops splay out to the correct width.

 

Next, you fit the fasteners in the correct position (as if the wings were attached) onto the stays with cable ties (this is the final method of fixing and is just perfect for strength and flexibility and it allows you to remove and refit your wings very quickly).

 

Put a nice sticky bit of Blu-Tac on the back of each fastener and then position the wing over the fasteners in their final position.

 

Carefully snip the cable ties and remove the wings and fasteners intact.

 

Now mark the position of each fasteners ensuring that the same fastener is used in the same position on the wing. This is because the welding of the cable tie loops although good quality, is not what you would call exactly spot-on hence if you mix the fasteners up you might find the wings go on slightly out of position.

 

Now bond the fasteners in their correct positions onto the wing and leave to cure.

 

To avoid any lateral movement of the wings when fastened, place a length of bonnet sealing strip along the top of each wing stay leg. When the cable tie is tightened, it will bite into the rubber strip and eliminate any possible movement.

 

And hey presto it's done.

 

*arrowright*Harry Flatters *arrowright*

AKA Steve Mell of Su77on Se7ens and Joint AO - Surrey

 

Edited by - Harry Flatters on 2 Apr 2003 11:53:14

[Richard Price]

My wings are bonded on using "Silkaflex". I roughened the underside of the wings to provide a key, and built up about three coats of Silkaflex to provide a chamfer. I also embeded the wiring for the indicator repeater in the Silkaflex, after extending the earth leads to finish inside the car.

[Bob Corb]

Bighead now sell these particular fixings in small quantities for use on caterhams. The part name they have asked me to post here is "Cable Tyrap B32-15 Stainless Steel" and are available direct from there sales dept. Tel 01202 574601

 

I stuck mine on last weekend with XL45 panel bonding adhesive and they appear to be sucure.... touch wood

 

BC

[JP]

Thanks everyone - I chickened out of the glue option - illogical fear that the glue won't hold (and, yes I know the Elise is glued together and doesn't fall apart)! Also, was reminded by Redline that Caterham do specifically state that the wings should be fixed with bolts. To reduce wear, I've replaced the original bolts, used slightly larger metal washers, but between the washer and the wing I've put 1/2" rubber plumber's tap washers - wings are black and so it's barely noticeable and I "hope" that the rubber on grp won't wear so much...if you're following me and get hit by a black cycle wing, I apologise in advance!!