Ok, so I put on the kawasaki knee pads, and there are a bunch of small bubbles I can not get rid of, I used credit card etc ... I dont know if I should use hair dryer or not, I have never worked with thick plastic like this, any help would be appreciated, picture of product below, Thank you

* Last updated by: carabuser on 3/6/2013 @ 10:37 AM *

I just kept rubbing the pads after I installed...mine has em as well...small...not really noticeable...only at very extreme side angles.I accepted it....can't be seen looking at the bike from the side or whatever.Not bad...clear.The hair dryer may help...IDK..just be careful about getting the paint too hot there...seems to me it's not really trapped air,but more the adhesive?IDK how they look installed on a blue bike...on my green,they look good.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/6/2013 @ 11:09 AM *

Hi Grn, they look good on the blue, like you said they are not really that noticable,I might just let it sit out in the sun for awhile (if it ever comes out) and try with the credit card, maybe try a little with the hair dryer, but not spend too much time on it, I think you are right, its not air, becuase if I get rid if one, awhile later another one pops up, there cant be THAT MUCH air in that small of area ....

And you are right, they do look good on the green .... does the abs come on the green 2013 ? Hmmmm .... just kidding, the wife would kill me ...

I'm glad for ya...Sun?What's that?;)And yes...the 2013 does have ABS.I feel much better about that...just in case.34 outside yesterday...went for a nice little ride...about 60 miles or so.This thing(as you know)runs so smooth...amazing...haven't taken er up past 5K yet,except for my initial 3 runs to seat the rings...after that...just been cruising and taking it easy with it.Funny how just staying at lower rpms and cruising is actually fun;)I kinda forgot about that...I didn't ride that way on my first one.I'm really likin this new bike...a lot....stay safe...watch the cages!

I guess you COULD trade in for an ABS model??????They'd probably be happy to have your bike?You MAYBE could getan ABS upgrade to yours...all the sensors and rings are there already...and the frame has the mount points for the ABS unit.Just some piping addition(s)...and a 2013 ECU?I don't see why you couldn't really...

I thought maybe there may be some added sensing adaptations on there...but apparently,it works 'kinda' in tandem with the KTRC...sensors and wiring I mean.I only have the two ring sensors on mine...like the 2012 model(s)...somehow...I think it's being routed to the ECU along the same path?Seems like it anyway.I think it's fair to say that Kawasaki anticipated this already...adding abs to the 2012's?It's virtually the same design.I think.;)

The 2013 ABS only added about 200 dollars to my price...so that's really not a bad deal if ya went that route for a 2012...if you could go that route?

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/6/2013 @ 12:28 PM *

Fit the tank pads by flexing them into a curve, adhesive on the outside, and 'roll' them on from the centre outwards. That's how I fitted mine and no bubbles.

Sewing needle, hit the bubble's lower edge so you can slide the card over it and air out that hole in said direction> out. Will it wrinkle at that area? Maybe. Will the tack dry out sort of rather than tackle said bubbles with a needle? Take a chance by pulling the tack between paint and plastic? Where the plastic has a no stick spot now? Call it a day, live and learneedling it.

* Last updated by: Hub on 3/6/2013 @ 3:23 PM *

When i did a 3M kit on mine, there were some small bubbles that formed, they went away after a couple of days/week on their own

I gotta get a set of these here shortly.

I'm not quite sure what these even are, but I've adhered many decals in my time ... & you spray the surface with soapy water first, place the decal on the wet surface, squeegee the water out from under it, & let it dry overnight. Decals done this way stick like mad. The wet surface lets you easily slide it around to get it perfectly aligned, then squeegeeing kinda "sets it". Would this work for these tank pads?

IDK...they're not actually decals...they're much thicker.I didn't want to risk ruining the adhesive by adding water..though it crossed my mind.I would say...if I did it over again...is to heat the tank surface a bit...nothing drastic...and heat the pad before applying,then CAREFULLY starting at the bottom(or top)part of the pad,roll and apply force to the pad as you adhere to the tank...going slowly and a bit at a time...that may help...IDK.Mine turned out acceptable...you can't see anything unless you stand at the rear of the bike and look at the pads....then you really wouldn't see anything looks 'odd'(Unless you KNEW what you were looking at)...side shots...very clear.They're not exactly 'bubbles' IMO....they don't stick out like a bubble would.I don't think the needle thing would work here...maybe...I'm leaving mine as they are...they look fine.

I don't really want to remove at this point...IDK how that adhesive will act pulling these off...it may ruin the clarity of the pad itself.....which right now is very good IMO.

This is the 'flash' from the camera making it look like this....straight on shot...it doesn't really look anything like this=0NONE of these weird deals show up just looking at em in normal light.(see the tank cover one there...looks perfect;)They really give the tank and all a nice 3-D effect...like they were 'poured' onto the tank...me likes very much!

IDK if poking with a needle would be advisable here...it may end up allowing dust or something to get under there...or just damaging the clear property of the pad(s)....IDK.Maybe not.I'm leaving mine alone.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/7/2013 @ 12:46 PM *

Okay....just went out and 'redid' my pads.I used a hairdryer to soften em up...and carefully peeled the pad off the tank from the bottom edge(using a 'sharp edged' piece of safe plastic from a goo gone kit)...leaving the very top edge fastened(making sure no air was under it)....then,slowly and forcefully I worked my fingers ACROSS the pad as I pushed it onto the surface about a 1/16th or so inches at a time all the way across,and eventually to the bottom.There are no air bubbles in there now.The glue will retain it's stickiness and clarity...hold the pad away from the tank as you move down a bit,so you keep it from contacting the tank).Be EXTRA careful however when removing...the couple of places along the edge going up where the small 'cutouts' are at...do NOT pull firmly as those begin to come free...they will tear(into the pad).Go very slowly and let them release from the tank gently right there.Use the hairdryer if it feels too stiff.You want to apply your finger pressure from the center of the pad on out and across as you reinstall...slowly.Keep looking for any air...if there is any,relift that spot,and press(going back and forth firmly) again.(before you get it all on there!!!!!)

AND...after all that....I decided to go with my tried and true TechSpecs....oh well...live and learn;)I'm just used to having that black 'breakup' on there....the clear ones look good also.Just not for me.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/9/2013 @ 12:37 AM *