Plastic Heat guard Question????

[imported_n/a]

Penton experts can you help me with a question?

I bought a set of plastic covers (air box and heat guard) plastic covers for my 74 250 harescrambler project from DG plastic at Mid-Ohio. In the back of my mind and from looking at a 400 Penton I saw with what I believe are the same covers I am concerned with the clearance and heat issues of the heat guard plastic melting.

First question: Has anyone had experience with the DG plastic heat guard on there Bike? (Am I worried for Nothing)

Second question: If they tend to melt has anyone come up with a solution? (other then leaving it off)Not much clearance between pipe and plastic cover.

Thanks
Cappy

[sachsmx]

Someone used to sell an adhesive-backed thin metal strip (aluminum ) to apply to the inside of your cover just for the purpose of keeping plastic from melting. I am not sure just how well they worked. You might try using some aluminum roof flashing material and gluing (or riviting) it inside your cover. The bigger the better as it would absorb the heat and dissipate it better. The idea is to spread the heat out over a larger area so that it is less intense (cooler) right near the pipe.

[Bob Seymour]

Moose Racing Products markets a self adhesive 18"X18" reflective barrier sheeting for this exact purpose. Apply to the backside of any plastic sidepanel that is in close proximity to the exhaust. Usually you can do about 3 or 4 panels with the above if you plan out your patterns before cutting. Any dealer who deals with Parts Unlimited can order it for you. I recall somewhere around $18.00 as the price.
            Bob

[slvrbrdfxr]

Cappy,
The white 400 down at the POG tent at Mid Ohio was my bike and it has the fiberglass side covers offered by Tom Brosius on the suppliers page. The reason I went with his as opposed to the DC Plastics ones are because I have not been able to make the plastic ones fit on a couple previous attempts. The hump in the plastic cover is just not large enough to allow clearance for the pipe. I think the plastic must shrink when removed from the mold and so it's just a little too small in the critical area. DC plastics make some nice stuff which I use on other bikes but in this one application they just won't fit correctly. In my opinion the fiberglass ones offered by Tom are the only way to go and will give you the clearance from the pipe you're looking for. Good luck !!
Dave McCullough

[454MRW]

Dave,
It could be that the previous DC Plastics version without the "wave" on the exhaust side copied the 125 panel, which has a smaller pipe "hump". His latest versions, which are copied from my original 74.5-76 250 side panels with the shock position cutout on the left side, and the "wave" on the exhaust side are the same size as my original 250 panels that I sent him. Those panels are listed as "cross country" panels, and are availabe in a few color choices on his site and eBay. This version has only been available for a short time. If there is any fit problems with these, please let me know, and I will have Don revise his pattern. Plastic panels do shrink when removed and it requires test fitting and adjusting the pattern until it is correct.
I am always test fitting panels for Don at DC Plastics that he makes for us Penton/KTM owners to assist him in improving his forms for a more correct fit. I only suggest the plastic panels for enduro riding because of the flexibility and forgivness to brush, limbs, and trees, that seem to often jump out of nowhere, at least when I ride. Since Phil Ketchum and I have sent panels to Don, he has now copied fenders, and side panels, for almost all of the 74-81's, and newer ones that others have sent him. He also makes the MC-5 rear fender splash guards, and Dons newest additions are the  the Falk CEV tail light fender and the 77 GS-6 plastic chain guard. The only thing that I get out of this is a new item for testing it, and the ability of helping us all to have a place to get discontinued parts for a resonable price.
 
I do very much like Tom brosius' fiberglass panels, and they are the best in my opinion, especially for a show bike because of the ease of painting, and the ability to resist heat. Tom is a great guy.

It's nice to have a choice. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S

[slvrbrdfxr]

Mike,
I agree. It's nice to have a choice and hope you didn't take my comment the wrong way because I'm not knocking the DC Plastics parts or trying to play favorites. Don makes a fine product and I'm glad you are working with him to test fit the items to ensure they fit correctly. I was just relating my own experience to date with trying to use his panels and having trouble with pipe clearance. I'll have to try another set next time with the wave to see if they will work better. Talk to you later.
Dave McC

[454MRW]

Dave,
No, not at all. I was just curious about the fit of these newest ones and since I didn't have any input on the earlier version without the wave, it seems that they should be revised. Thanks for the clarification. I have Toms fiberglass side panels on my 78/79 MX-6 and think his headlight shell is also top notch. I don't think fiberglass fenders would stand up to my lack of riding skills though...Ha Ha. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S

[imported_n/a]

Bob, Dave and Mike,
Thanks for the input.
I actually bought two sets from DG at Mid-O, One set in white at full price and also a set of seconds in yellow.
My though was to use the seconds in yellow as my riding/test set, and I will let you know how they fit. The initial fitting is tough because my 74 Penton is stripped to the frame or as my wife refers to as "your penton in a box". I am very tenacious I will get them to work.

Off subject, It was my first trip to mid-O, As well as my first Penton. I told my wife it was refreshing to know that I'm not alone!
A lot of enthusiastic restorer's, collectors and best of all POGers! Thanks to all that read and respond I'm sure I will have many more questions.
Cappy 74 harescrambler (first timer)