I removed my wind deflectors because as Craig said the adhesive is not suited for the heat here in Texas. I purchased 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double sided tape which is good from -28 to +200 degrees from Walmart. Look for 3M Heavy Duty Tape Strips and the strips should say VHB on them. I've used this stuff before and it holds extremely well. I have it on my Viper for my externally mounted radar detector / laser jammers and it's lasted 2 years now and I've exceeded speeds over 160 MPH at Texas Motor Speedway, 160 MPH for several hours through the desert of Arizona, numerous 130+ MPH track days, and it's still holding strong after almost 30K miles.

What I learned on the 3M website had to do with the types of mounting tape and the time for curing. Here's what I found: 1) The VHB tape cures in 72 hours at temps above 70 degrees. After only 20 minutes, its strength is 50%. Afte 60 minutes, its strength is 75%. After 24 hours, its strength is 90% and it gets to 100% strength after 3 days. It's possible that Craig got it up to 90 MPH without allowing enough cure time. 2) The type of mounting tape used is important. What we're doing is bonding to painted plastic and plastic hardware. So, first, I checked and noticed that the tape on our deflectors was not VHB. It was 3M but it was the soft grey foam which is not the VHB. VHB should have been used for this application.

Anyway, I removed the old tape from the mounts and the fairing, cleaned again with alcohol, and then applied the new tape. The new tape is significantly stronger feeling and doesn't allow flex like the other stuff. I will test this over the next few days and report back.

As far as the deflector not staying in position? Well, I'll let what I have cure for a few days and then test it and see what the fix is for that and let you know.

Fergy,

Thanks for the update.  Did you rough up the mounting surface on the deflector so the tape has a little more surface area to deal with?

P.S.  Does the Viper house a 6' 200lb person ?  I love that car but probably would not fit in it.

Tim 

Rock Star - 2008-05-26 7:20 PM ok, as i read through the other post and I don't have a set in front of me, I do have a question. Deflectors are mounted to the bike by a tape on a bracket that you recommen changing. Is the shield mounted to the bracket also with a tape that needs to be changed? thanks. If I had a set in front of me I'm sure it would all make sense. no... really.

The tape is only on the brackets.

Well Fergy nailed the problem with the adhesive on the wind deflectors. I talked to Strokers who is our dealer and they talked to Victory on my deflector that came off while riding and as soon as the Strokers guy told Victory they had a returned deflector kit the Victory person said it came of the bike at the point where the adhesive tape mounts to the deflector mount right? They said they know about the problem and have sent out a notice to all the dealers that got them and have put a hold on shipping them till they are all fixed.  The fix is to replace the adhesive 3M tape with the VHB 3M tape like Fergy did with his. It appears their supplier used the wrong tape on the first production run. Victory will also be sending new adhesive tape kits to anyone that has bought the deflector kit. I put another set on order.

Fergy,

I just got my wind deflectors yesterday.  My dealer has closed his show =(.  How do I tell if I have the good or bad 3M tape on them.  They have red plastic over a light gray paste.  I have check OSH and Walmart, neither have the 3M VHB double sided tape.

Thanks,

Tim 

Fergy,

Thanks much. Is there a 3M model/part # (e.g. Model #6010) so I can search the web?

My Walmart only carried SCOTCH and another non-3M brand of double sided adhesive. Neither was rated to 200 degrees.

Sincerely,

Tim

Some Search Results:

http://www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/4,5140.html

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Heavy-Duty-Attachment-Adhesive/dp/B000DZBHHM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1212641407&sr=8-1

http://paint-and-supplies.hardwarestore.com/50-279-foam-tape/heavy-duty-attachment-adhesive-635521.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=635521&utm_campaign=googlebase

http://www.hardwareandtools.com/invt/6164628?ref=gbase

Fergy,

Thanks for the part number. 6010 seems to be the ticket and it is available on the web.

Have a great time at the races.

Tim