Side panel bracing

[jonno]

Anyone got some ideas for bracing side panels,especially the right hand side,on the arched piece and the corner of the square section?

[Knowledge]

I assume you mean a series 3 panel?

Is the panel already painted, or yet to be painted?

With a painted panel, I would cut a cardboard template around the area you wants to strengthen, and then cut out an ali plate to match, and then glue it in place using something like Evostick. This glue could help reduce the effect of vibration, which is the cause of splits in this area. Make sure you consider the location of the rubber buffer on the rear footboard support lug when you are cutting your template.

On an unpainted panel, I have welded a rod around the bottom of the panel. Something like a 3 or 4mm rod is idea. Some people say bronze weld it in, but on my most recent scooter, I just tacked it in at 10mm intervals in order to reduce the build up of heat. Heat warps tin-work, unless you are careful.