Melty, how could this happen?

[derp]

Hi. I'm new here. I just got this 07 FZ6 a few days ago, and my curiosity won't let this little thing go. I can't figure out how in the world this plastic could have melted in such a way. On the tail light lens, especially. It's got a pattern melted into it that looks like some sort of fabric or mesh. Does this look familiar to anyone else?

 

[Jabarker]

Hmmmm... I'm stumped. Did you buy it that way? Maybe the previous owner took it apart for a mod and got the pieces too close to something hot? :don'tknow:

Anyways :welcome:

 

[no.1partsguy]

Did you take the seat off? Did it melt anything under it? I dont see how the exhaust could have gotten that hot... Do you run with a set of saddle bags on? do you have a different taillight bulb in the bike? is the socket for the taillight melted? Sorry to ask all the questions just need more info.

 

[tcmalker]

maybe something covered the exhaust and the heat built up.

 

[no.1partsguy]

+1 TC thats what I was thinking or wrong wattage bulb got the lens hot and the tail bag melted into it... just speculation tho.

 

[derp]

Did you take the seat off? Did it melt anything under it? I dont see how the exhaust could have gotten that hot... Do you run with a set of saddle bags on? do you have a different taillight bulb in the bike? is the socket for the taillight melted? Sorry to ask all the questions just need more info.

That's the thing, I bought it this way. Nothing on or under the seat is melted. Just these two plastic pieces in the photos, the lens and the trim around the exhaust shielding. I haven't even ridden it for more than a few miles so far. It's been raining, as you can see in the pictures, for days now.

 

[tcmalker]

you didn't ask the seller when you bought it?

 

[Boneman]

I suspect it was something along these lines....

...f'ing sharks.....

 

[derp]

you didn't ask the seller when you bought it?

Yeah, I did ask the seller. He only had the bike for 3 months total, he said it was like that when he got it also. Sounds like the most plausible thing is that something covered the exhaust, like you said. I'm not too worried about it, I was more curious about it. I got a killer deal on this bike, very happy with the purchase. If only the weather would clear up.

 

[Boneman]

In all seriousness, I would guess that the original owner had perhaps taken the rear end plastics off (perhaps when putting on the FE kit) and put them too close to a garage heater?

Interesting little mystery. Good news is you can purchase a new rear lens. Not sure about the other bit.

 

[Motogiro]

I bet what happened was there was a rag with acetone, lacquer thinner, or like naptha soaked on a rag and it was laid in the lens and draped onto the lower plastic. It's a chemical melt not a heat melt.
The pattern is from the rag material making an impression.
The only other explanation is what Boneman said on the laser shark...Effin sharks! :rof:

 

[Razer]

I was thinking the acetone thing for the lens, but after seeing the bottom plastic I would assume someone threw their jacket over the seat, hanging over the back of the bike. Heat built up melting the black plastic, and the lens. The coat fabric would then leave the impression on the lens.

 

[Andz]

Good news is you can purchase a new rear lens. Not sure about the other bit.

The other bit is part number 5VX–21651–00 COVER, REAR FENDER and is number 11 in this picture.

 

[FinalImpact]

I've had some Really Hot Chic's that did stuff like that! Never melted my bike tho! haha. . .

 

[derp]

The other bit is part number 5VX–21651–00 COVER, REAR FENDER and is number 11 in this picture.

Thanks for that, I was trying to figure out what parts I needed to replace yesterday!

 

[FinalImpact]

Any Check Engine Light or anything like that?

A rich running engine or one with an exhaust leak allowing air into it will make the catalytic converter way hot which makes the exhaust way hotter!

Although I'd like to subscribe to my own hot chic theory, its the exhaust heat from some other condition and the jacket or something like that laying on it to make a pattern.


Any fuel additives in the tank recently????