Quick answer: dirt bike plastics (front fender, number plate, radiator shrouds, side panels and rear fender) are held by a mix of bolts, collared mounting points and plastic push rivets. Remove the seat first, then the side panels, shrouds and fenders. When you refit new plastics, transfer or renew every rubber grommet and collar, start every fastener by hand before tightening any, and replace tired push rivets on number plates and fender edges rather than reusing them.
A fresh set of plastics is the quickest way to make a bike look new, and refitting old ones after a crash or a deep clean is a regular job. Most problems afterwards, such as rattles, cracked mounting holes or a number plate that flaps, come from the fasteners rather than the plastic itself.
What makes up a set of dirt bike plastics
| Part | Typical fasteners | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Front fender | Bolts to the lower triple clamp, often with washers | Don't overtighten; the plastic cracks around the holes |
| Front number plate | Straps or bolts at the top, push rivets or small bolts at the edges | Make sure cables and brake lines are routed behind it |
| Radiator shrouds | Bolts into the radiator and tank mounts | Check rubber grommets and collars |
| Side (number) panels | Bolts plus push rivets or quarter-turn fasteners | Air box sealing may depend on the panel |
| Rear fender | Bolts at the subframe, sometimes push rivets at the tail | Check the tail light wiring if fitted |
Exact fasteners vary between bikes and years, so take photos of your bike before you strip it.
Removing dirt bike plastics
- Wash the bike first. Dirt in fastener heads makes them hard to grip and grinds into the plastic.
- Remove the seat. Most side panels and shrouds tuck under it.
- Take off the side panels, then the shrouds, then the fenders and number plate.
- Lift push rivet pins before pulling. Raise the centre pin a few millimetres with a trim tool, then lever the body out. Our push rivet removal guide covers stuck ones.
- Bag the fasteners by panel. A zip bag per panel, labelled, saves a lot of guessing on refit.
Prepping new or refurbished plastics
- Test-fit before graphics. If you are fitting a new plastics kit, offer every piece up to the bike before applying any graphics. Aftermarket plastics sometimes need holes cleaned up or slightly opened.
- Transfer grommets and collars. Many mounting holes use a rubber grommet with a metal collar inside. These spread the clamping and stop the plastic cracking. Move them across from the old plastics or fit new ones.
- Deburr the holes. A light pass with a countersink or a sharp knife removes moulding flash that can split the hole when a fastener goes in.
- Check hole sizes. If you are using push rivets, measure each hole. A 5/16" drill bit sliding through means about 8mm. See the size guide.
Refitting, step by step
- Fit the front fender and number plate first. Check cable and hose routing before tightening anything.
- Hang the shrouds. Start every bolt by hand so the panel can move slightly to line up.
- Fit the side panels and rear fender. Again, start everything by hand.
- Snug the bolts in a sequence, working across the panel rather than tightening one corner fully first. Follow the torque figures in your service manual. Plastic mounting points are easy to crack.
- Fit the push rivets last. With everything aligned, push each rivet through with the pin raised and press the pin flush.
- Shake test. Grab each panel and shake it. Anything that clicks or moves needs attention before you ride.
Number plates and push rivets
Number plates, backgrounds and panel edges are a common home for push rivets because they need to come off often. A few tips:
- Use a rivet with a wide head on thin number plates. Our dirt bike push rivets have a 15mm head on an 8mm shank.
- Check the grip range. A plate plus a background sheet plus a mounting tab can add up. Our 8mm rivet suits stacks of roughly 2 to 6mm; see the grip range guide.
- Replace rivets that spin or whose pins sit proud. Vibration finds weak clips quickly.
Keeping plastics tight on the trail
- Check bolts and rivets after the first ride on new plastics, as the plastic settles.
- Carry a few spare push rivets and a trim tool in your pack. They weigh almost nothing.
- After a crash, check every mounting point, not only the panel that took the hit.
- Clean around fasteners when you wash the bike. Packed mud hides loose ones.
Spare rivets are in the dirt bike push rivets collection.
Before you order fasteners
Lay the old plastics next to the new ones and check every mounting hole lines up. Count the push rivet holes on each panel and add a few spares for the trail bag.
Every 8mm option we stock is grouped in one place: the 8mm push rivets collection.
FAQ
Do new plastics kits come with fasteners?
Some do and some don't, so check before you strip the bike. Reusing tired fasteners on new plastics is a common source of rattles.
Why do my plastics crack around the bolt holes?
Usually overtightening, missing collars or grommets, or a hole with moulding flash. Fit the collars and follow the manual's torque figures.
What size push rivets do dirt bikes use?
It varies. Measure the hole and the panel stack. 8mm holes are common on panels and plates, but always check.
Do you list which bikes your rivets fit?
No. We give the dimensions so you can measure and compare. We don't publish model fitment or original part-number matches.