Now this-broken side cover tab

[therapist]

I have had my right side cover off so many times, checking the alternator fuse/amps that it
must have finally cracked. It broke off on the center cover (male piece), not the side cover.  Anyone have a clever, easy fix for this.  My typical experience fixing anything, end up breaking something.  

[mike72903]

I just fixed mine.  I was fortunate to have the original plastic tab that broke off but you could use almost anything small enough and sturdy enough like a small piece of metal or plastic thick enough.  I had to remove the center cover.  That can be a bit of an effort but it does need to come off to fix it so you can use gravity to keep things in place. I didn't, but you may want to file flat the broken area on the center panel so the new piece will fit closer. I used original JB Weld to attach the broken piece back on.  Do what you need to hold it in place, the JB Weld takes hours to get hard.  Regular epoxy might work but don't know about that and JB Weld gets really hard.  Use enough to kind of build up the area around the base of the broken piece for added strength.  Be careful to keep it off the top of the piece you gluing so it will still fit the tab on the side panel.  I waited 24 hours before using mine.  Should mention that I must not have gotten the piece exactly back in the correct plane as I did have to use a small file to slightly enlarge the slot in the side panel to get it to fit over the tab.  It's been this way for a few weeks.  It was my left side panel and I may have only taken it off once since then but so far so good.  I am now VERY careful removing it now.  I like and trust JB Weld but you never know.  Good Luck   Mike

[justintyper]

mine broke off last year and i picked up an assortment of rubber grommets from jp cycles for like 10 bucks and found an oblong one that fits and works pretty well keeping mine attached. in a pinch ive also used a rubber band wrapped around the tab on the cover to keep it on before i found the grommet that fit.

[quexpress]

I have had my right side cover off so many times, checking the alternator fuse/amps that it
must have finally cracked. It broke off on the center cover (male piece), not the side cover.  Anyone have a clever, easy fix for this.  My typical experience fixing anything, end up breaking something.  

Did you see Ratdog's solution?

http://www.vermin-club.org/mods/side_cover_tab_repair.htm

[Challenger]

Had a friend brake one on a ride trying to replace a blown fuse, Stopped at a local store and bought a package of Velcro squares, one square was all he used, It is not visible and still allows you to remove the side cover. That was 10 years ago and still works.

[therapist]

That's what I did...wasn't up to anything more complicated than Velcro.   

[doubletee]

Had a friend brake one on a ride trying to replace a blown fuse, Stopped at a local store and bought a package of Velcro squares, one square was all he used, It is not visible and still allows you to remove the side cover. That was 10 years ago and still works.

+1 That's what I did, too.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Is your bike's paint scheme blue and white or black and white?

[therapist]

It's the dark blue and white.  

[Bagger John - #3785]

I might have a black one that could be repainted, or I could luck out Friday at Mid-Ohio and find one cheap. How much are you willing to shell out for the latter if I come across a usable part?

[nogrey]

Lots of viable solutions in this thread, seems like you just need to pick one. My personal solution is to use JB weld and a small piece of metal (I used a piece of roof flashing material) cut to about 3 inches long, and about 3/8" wide, tapered at the end to the size of the original tab. I shape the metal so that it fits inside the center cover with the "tab" end where the original tab would have been. Glue it in with JB weld. I've done this on several Valks and nary a failure.
Good luck!

[therapist]

As mentioned above, went with the quick Velcro fix.  I will probably keep this bike until I croak, so
it can stay as is.  Thanks for all the suggestions and offer to find me a center cover.  Just replacing this damn alternator will probably be a big enough project for me.  I have no patience left...must have emptied the last amount when I hit 66.   

[blackvalkyrie]

 i just fixed mine today..center tab broke off..rather than take anything apart i used industrial velcro from Home Depot.. works great.. have a bit of a gap tween side cover and center where tab used to be..may re adjust...i'm a perfectionist..but i'm not worried bout losing that side cover now

I have had my right side cover off so many times, checking the alternator fuse/amps that it
must have finally cracked. It broke off on the center cover (male piece), not the side cover.  Anyone have a clever, easy fix for this.  My typical experience fixing anything, end up breaking something.  

[MarkT]

Use a small wire tie in the upper corner.  Acts like a hinge so it can't fall off.  Use a black one, I did on the other side, so it's not noticable.  Pardon the dust & water spots.

[old2soon]

Velcro-quick easy cheap and ya can't tell it's there even if I tell you where to look.  RIDE SAFE.