mdi carbon cowl issues

[Restlessrustler]

I finally got my MDI carbon cowl from them direct.....
it didnt fit at all, they said after waiting a month for the right shipment to come in "there was a problem with the mold" i guess its still a problem.....but why would they send me something with still suspect issues.....and i cant seem to get ahold of anyone there. Anyone have any luck with one or any other options for a cowl?

 

[BuellSki]

I had the same problems when I ordered RSS and LSS from them. They fit horribly. But. I guess you get what you pay for. Sorry for your luck![sad]

 

[anrkizm95]

any other options for a cowl?

you get what you pay for and this is the best http://ilmberger-carbon.de/

 

[Restlessrustler]

im sorry, but why is a simple cover worth over 250 if made overseas.....im a working fat man and i just want a decent cowl....also i have been asking about the trail kit from the italians from free spirits....got nothing but some advice....maybe i should do it and ask a dollar for each question...lol

 

[Restlessrustler]

anrkizm95...i tried that route.......no answer

 

[thrstrmech]

tried ASB? give Al a call on Monday for details on what he carries and maybe AirTech may have one, but in fiber glass...they're a few blocks away from ASB

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk/search.html

http://www.motosupply.com/

asb is good but here is a quote from cowl page
A dremel tool with a drum sander attachment is recommended for final trimming of the front edge flush with your seat for a professional look.

when it comes to carbon you get what you pay for mdi is a good product for the price but is going to need work to make it fit

 

[Restlessrustler]

MDI....no way....i dont care about the carbon look....i was gonna paint it anyway.....but the fitment sucked!

 

[ANIMOSITY]

I have an ASB cowl on mine. Its the taller then stock cowl. I think it fits just great. I mean its not exactly like the stock plastic cowl, but I think it fits great and lines up good. Ive had it about 2 years now the only problem is the clear is fading.

 

[thrstrmech]

I had the fiber glass cowl from ASB 'til last year, bought it back in '06 and as stated above, it required the use of a dremel for final fitment. turned out I had the wrong seat (M0090.1AJ) on the bike at the time, so the seat cowl would have never worked.

 

[Restlessrustler]

update, they are going to take it back and pay for return shipping, said they had a problem with the mold and would send an updated one or a refund, my choice....does anyone have one that didnt require fitting it themselves?

 

[RuiP]

I trimmed mine back and it's still pretty snug.

 

[thrstrmech]

that's cool they are doing that for you...think they all require some trimming to fit right

another forum member fabs seat cowls, but they don't look like the MDI ones, can't recall who

 

[Restlessrustler]

I saw that thread before, they were a bit high for my taste. Anyone got any pictures of their mdi ones on maybe with the seat off under it. They confirmed it should fit the lower seat, i dont mind trimming it a bit, but my old one was so tight and didnt fit all the way on even close.

 

[RuiP]

I'll post a pic of the underside of mine. It's ugly but it fits.

 

[Restlessrustler]

Ruip, that would be awesome

 

[vtech007]

I have dealt with numerous CF parts, and through my past experience as well as through my research in the process, whether the material is carbon fiber or fiber glass, they are essentially custom parts...yes they use a mold when they make them but the process is completely different than when you injection mold a plastic part...the process of and injection molded plastic parts can be held to much tighter tolerances, but the CF or FG part, being more essentially custom, each one has more variances one from the next and therefore each one is slightly different from the next in more aspects and hence each one has to be worked with regarding fitment differently one to the next...this can be slight differences mounting hole locations, edge trimming, etc. Some parts makers even do not provide mounting holes and leave that up to the installer, due to variances. It's not necessarily a matter of economics, cheap vs. expensive, it's the nature of the process of working with the materials to make the part, although obviously some craftsmen have higher quality workmanship than others.

 

[thrstrmech]

well stated sir...

 

[Restlessrustler]

I totally understand that, I have worked with many fiberglass and carbon body panels for cars and trucks, but they "fit" for the most part, some edges and body gaps would have to be worked, but for the most part they "fit". I couldnt even get this part on my seat at all, it was so far off i would have had to cut it in half and stick it on and use a fiberglass or carbon fiber to reattach it. I understand quality and workmanship, but i feel for some of those more expensive cowls i am sure i would have to adjust them to fit, and for the MDI one the price was good, but i would like a starting point, not something I could have made up with an extra seat, some glass and a 30 pack.
Anyways thanks for listening to my rant.....anyone with pics?

 

[RuiP]

It took alot of trimming but it fits well now, very tight.