Check your Bigheads

[Frying Pan]

As per my post in ChitChat, lost a cycle wing yesterday on the M40. Managed to retrieve it today, and whilst it is badly damaged, the indicator is still intact, and the two rear Bigheads are still firmly stuck in place. One of them even has the cable tie still there - looks like this was the last thing to break before the wing flew off.

 

The front two remained firmly attached to the wing stay, and the failure mode looks like the front Bigheads pulled through the Sikaflex 'bed' in the wing, even though this had been liberally applied over and around them - there is not a trace of Sikaflex left on the front ones (maybe the Bigheads should have been de-greased before fitting?). One of the Sikaflex beds on the wing is very clean, the other looks to have failed some time ago - there is a lot of ingrained mud/dust on it (the left hand one in this photo)

 

They've stayed in place for just under 13000 miles, and I've replaced the cable ties a couple of times as a precaution, but if you are using this method to hold the cycle wings in place, have a good look at them

 

Guy

 

---

See some pictures of the build here. 12000 miles completed!

 

Edited by - 7heavensoon on 8 Sep 2007 14:28:52

[Grubbster]

Guy - what sika was it? I thought 292 only came in white and that the black one I tried (291) didn't last a month. Mine are on with 292 but sprayed over with black paint.

[Colin Mill]

In line with a few comments on here I used RTV silicone rubber to bond mine in place and so far that seems to be fine. I'm not sure how that fairs relative to the silkaflex.

[Bricol]

Big Head do their own glue - and very good it is too. Might be better than other stuff?

 

Personally I can't see what's wrong with a nice stainless socket button head. 20,000 miles and no sign at all of the wing falling off . . . 😬

Bri

[Jason Plato]

I do think that the only secure fixing for long term is bolts through the wings 🤔

 

[awaits 37 people to tell me "oohhhh mine have been fine for xxx'000 miles 😬]

 

here is C7 TOP

Taffia rear gunner

 

[elie boone]

Terroson 2K is the best "glue" i ever used but it's expencive, also make sure you degrease both surfaces with a proper degreaser and white spirit is not a degreaser !!!! brake clean or cellulose thinner is far better

 

I used that 2 K on polyesther wheelarch extensions and where the edges of the wheelarches had a big crack the bonding surface did'nt had a sign of damage.

[stevefoster]

Roughen the GRP weave on the wing about 2" either side of where the wing stays will be (assuming GRP wing). Apply several layers of glass matting (the course type) in resin over the wingstay / roughened area -

It's a no bolt PERMANENT fixture. You can in fact bend the wingstays before the bond or the wing gives (been there done that) 😬

 

 

 

 

Edited by - stevefoster on 9 Sep 2007 09:41:55

[Grubbster]

Bolts - why 🤔

 

oohhhh mine have been fine for 14,000 miles

 

😬

[Jason Plato]

😬

 

here is C7 TOP

Taffia rear gunner

 

[blade_runner]

I found when I fitted my big heads there is enough room to use 3 in a row on the wing, ie 6 big heads per wing.

 

 

'Pinky Pics' here

[Johnty Lyons]

I know the purpose of using the big heads is to allow easy wing removal. BUT is it necessary Just how often do we need to remove the front wings 🤔 I have mine stuck on with Ben Braven FC52 a specalist [dutch made] automotive sealant/adhesive made specifically for the job. I abraded the wing stays and put a liberal coating of the Adhesive along both metal bars I then set the wing down firmly on top and squeezed more Den Braven in fore and Aft. I smoothed it off using Fairy liquid on a silicone glove, They've been on there 4 yrs now and survived excess temperatures and continental Touring I can practically lift the car by the front wings , just afraid the fiberglass will break.

 

IMHO its all about the quality of the Adhesive you use. and surface preparation. 😬

 

jj

N.I. L7C AR 🙆🏻

Membership No.3927.

 

[Frying Pan]

Looking at my options now - I think CF ones are out of the question at the moment cost wise, has anyone bought any of the cycle wings on eBay - seem to be a couple of people selling GRP ones like this one and this one.

 

If so, are they any good?

 

Who else makes them (other then Caterham)?

 

Thanks,

 

Guy

 

 

 

-----See some pictures of the build here. 12000 miles completed!

[Unclefester]

Wouldn't it be a good idea to bond the bighead bolt things on properly, with grp or carbon fibre and resin? This way they become part of the structure and CAN'T blow away with the slightest waft of breeze......how many people have reported losing the things on here recently?

 

Strikes me as rather obvious that these glued on things are not up to the job, as a moments reflection would indicate would probably be the case.

 

Mine are bolted on with domeheaded bolts but I intend glassing the mounts in when I repaint the car (one day).

 

On my Grinnall, there are pairs of 10mm bolts welded into a steel mesh patch, which is then glassed into the insides of the GRP wings and NEVER lets go.

 

One day, one of these flying cycle wings will come off and cause a serious accident.

 

 

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..ooooh hooo hooo!!...

😬 😬Abbey Road Time-Machine *eek*

 

[Frying Pan]

I get a feeling of deja-vu reading your post Uncle

 

---

See some pictures of the build here. 12000 miles completed!

[Unclefester]

I'm way to lazy to write it all again.......

 

Fester....self-plagiarism a speciality.

 

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds..ooooh hooo hooo!!...

😬 😬Abbey Road Time-Machine *eek*

 

 

Edited by - Unclefester on 10 Sep 2007 20:40:37