Cleaning Engine

[jabcb]

If you are after spiffy engine covers and your project budget supports it, then its worth considering farming the covers out.
That’s what I do — forum member sandman does excellent work for reasonable cost.

Pics of his work for my builds are here:
GT550: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13106&start=30
T500: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13126&start=15

He lists his service here (pics were trashed by Photobucket): viewtopic.php?f=23&t=9517&p=166243#p166243

[sportston]

I've seen pics of his work and it looks PDG. Think I might use him if I ever do another restoration. Anything to save myself from doing days and days of polishing

[Zunspec4]

Hello jpjob,

Looking at your photo of the sprocket cover it occurs to me that it may still have a layer of lacquer on it. This will have to be removed before you have any chance of a nice shiny (or satin) finish. If I were tackling this task I would first rub it down using wet'an dry (used wet), starting with 400 grade and going to a finer 800 grade for the finish. From there you can then polish to a shiny finish. Alternatively then get it Vapour Blasted (glass beads applied by high pressure water/air) for a satin finish.

Vapour Blasting can produce great results on the crankcase, although they have to be stripped completely to carry out the process. Here is a photo of mine, almost as if they were sprayed with silver paint.


Cheers Geoff

[jabcb]

The rear sprocket holders were done with silver powder coat. All of the other parts are clear powder coat except the ram air covers are un coated.

That vapor blasted T500 motor looks nice!

[Zunspec4]

Hi jabcb,

The finished article didn't turn out too bad

[sportston]

Wow Geoff, you could eat your dinner off that engine! Super shiny and smart. Very nice indeed.

[jabcb]

Sweet!

[Zunspec4]

Thanks guys With a few miles on it the "as new" sparkle is not so apparent, but you have to give them a good thrash every now and again

Cheers Geoff

[sportston]

Thanks guys With a few miles on it the "as new" sparkle is not so apparent, but you have to give them a good thrash every now and again

Cheers Geoff

Ah yes, but what point is there in owning a beautiful bike if you can't ride it? Get it dirty with pride!