Suzuki 2 Strokes

Need to remove the frame badge on the GT250 project before powder coating.
Any tips on how to remove it so that we can reuse it?

If the plate is held in with domed head fixings, they should simply prize out with a narrow, strong blade.

If it is held with 'proper' rivets then a drill might be needed instead.

If they are hammer drive screws I think its best carefully file head off then with a punch knock the shaft through into the frame.

http://www.pts-uk.com/Products/Self_Tap ... /AHD040250

Has no rivets, screws or the like.

Its glued on. Looking for tips on how to get it off with the badge being still useable.

Tricky, it's going to be heat or chemicals, which will depend on the badge materials and glue material. I would start with some gentle heat see if that softens the glue enough to release and it to lever off.

Its some sort of low-cost metal + paint.

Any suggestion on what heat gun to get?

I have a Bosch one sourced from one of our DIY stores (Home Depot like place) which has a continuously variable temperature setting which goes from a warm 50C to 600C+

Work your way up from minimum watching the paint on the badge for any reaction to the heat. Be patient the surface of the badge will get hot a lot faster than the glue under it. Temptation will be to step up the temperature of the hot air before the glue has reached the maximum temp it can on that setting.

Good luck.

Try goo-b-gone or something similar. It's used to remove glue residue but overall is very gentle. I have not tried it....just a thought.



Lane

If you use a heat gun heat the inside of the tube, as the metal heats it will warm the glue and you wont be putting direct heat on the tag. Have something ready to stick it on for storage if you get it off intact. A plastic cutting board from the dollar store would probably work well or a body putty mixing board.

I don't see doing what you want, happening without destroying or slightly damaging the original. The best option is scraping, grinding, etc. it off if you're repainting the frame. Buy a reproduction plate. It will also look better in the end. As the original plates all have some signs of wear here and there on all these bikes from aging, cables, etc. rubbing up against them over the years. I did a reproduction plate on my 750 when I had it's frame repainted. The tag looks like it did when it rolled out of Japan. A reproduction tag is a must do in my opinion on any restoration that you want to take pride in. I didn't like the idea of paying $30 for a decal. But, I'm glad I did. When selling, those little things mean something to some people. When that decal is in new condition, it represents that a bike was not cut corners on in my opinion. A serious half ass job would be painting over it. Under those circumstances. There's no other options without tearing it up, reusing it and looking like crap. That will also scream that a bikes frame, motor, serial numbers have been tampered with. If you ever resale, you don't want that thought crossing a possible buyer's mind.

Not doing a restoration — its for the GT250 cafe project in my other thread.

The odds are low that I'll get it off in good shape, especially because I’ve never even tried to do it before.
Looked on eBay for a new blank badge but didn’t find it.
Where did you find yours?

I must have been lucky. I just slipped a razor blade under the badge and they lifted off without tearing. Just take your time and it should slide off without a lot of drama.

The badge came off in pretty good shape.
Its actually metal foil with a thin white vinyl-like layer underneath.

The frame already has some holes presumably for attaching a badge.

I found a Swiss company that makes reproduction badges:
http://www.khneisser.ch/products/50/det ... -vin-plate
Anyone have any experience with them?

Maybe try this guy, mail him a pic of your plate and see if he can copy it:-

http://www.vin-plate.co.uk/motorcycle_plates.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If he can do one, I can post it out for you as his Int post is expensive.

just a thought- since you are doing a cafe build and you aren't concerned about a true restoration, why even bother with the plate? You don't need one. My T500 cafe racer doesn't have one on it because it got ruined trying to get it off prior to powder coating- just like you are trying to do. The VIN number is etched into the headstock anyways, so there really isn't a reason to have the decal in your particular application. I am pretty sure its not required in the USA. That shouldn't deter any potential buyers. Whenever I purchase a used bike, I always check the VIN number that is engraved into headstock. A decal can be faked, but its a little tougher to fake an engraved VIN