restoring side case finish

scalejockey · Posted: October 28, 2008, 9:20 am Post subject: restoring side case finish

Ok iv'e just picked up a SWEET 75 xs650,with 7000 on the clock, and it's going to get the "restore" treatment. I'm going to use por-15 clear coat on the side cases,but the problem is how do you get the old clear coat off.In the past bike "redos" iv'e just taken a wire wheel to them but the it dosn't look so good.
How has everyone finished off their cases?

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

I use paint stripper to remove the old clear coat, then sand, buff, polish, etc. I don't re-coat with anything because I don't want the same corrosion thing happening again. Once the clear coat chips in spots, the corrosion starts growing under it. You can't clean it off unless you strip the whole thing again.

xsjohn · Posted: October 28, 2008, 9:41 am Post subject: Re: restoring side case finish

I am with 5twins on the refinishing with clear coat.......did my fork legs ....spent a lot of time on them including changing the seals........used clear wheel clear coat.......now the seals leak and the clear coat I put on the left engine case is coming off.....even baked on the clear.......wish I had never dicked with it.......the right case that I didn't clear coat looks way better that the others ...big ass waste of time for me plus the fork seals are still leaking and I have already changed them once......they didn't leak any before....wish I had just polished them.....grrrrr..

xsjohn

Skip · Posted: October 28, 2008, 10:09 am Post subject: Re: restoring side case finish

I agree guys! I found that once the clear coat is off the alunimun,either 600 grit wet paper or a 3M or Norton synthetic steel wool pad with soapy water works great. Once you have it polished, cleaning is a breeze with Auto-sol paste. Keep them bare alunimun so no corrosion can get trapped like it did under the clear coat!

5twins · Full Member Joined: Aug 05, 2006 Posts: 1616

Here's a before and after shot from when I was first fixing mine up. One cover done, one to go. Also, the used later cover I got off eBay. It received the same treatment (stripper, sanding, polishing). I kept the stripper away from the "YAMAHA" lettering so as not to remove the original black lettering paint. Eventually, I did all the alloy parts on the bike like this (valve covers, wheel rims, fork legs, rear brake plate).

Retiredgentleman · Posted: October 28, 2008, 12:26 pm Post subject: Re: restoring side case finish

Hey John, don't let those leaking fork seals get the better of you. I'm sure you didn't do what I did. When mine were leaking, I carefully changed out the seals, only to have them leaking worse. Man, was I bummed out,because, as you know, removing those seals is a real pain. l found out that I had them in up-side down Embarassed

. Second time, I installed the "All Balls" Triple Lip Seals from 650central, and they work great. I put 7 oz. (203 cc) of 15W40 diesal oil into each fork, and forks are much firmer now, and makes for a better ride. 10W oil is too thin.

xsjohn · Posted: October 28, 2008, 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: restoring side case finish

"""""""Hey John, don't let those leaking fork seals get the better of you."""""

They already have......round three comming up.......dag nab it......

xsjohn

scalejockey · Posted: October 28, 2008, 7:29 pm Post subject: Re: restoring side case finish

Thanks everyone! that will save me $$ not buying the clear coat.Sounds like industrial stripper will get the old stuff off(gee,happen to have a can on the shelf)
Pulled the motor out of the frame today,after a good cleaning. I'm still amazed on the condition! The little yellow paint mark could still be seen on the brake caliber bolt AND the master link!
It's turning out to be a good trade.For a 40 dollar basket case 125(restored) to this.

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Yamaha xs650