Engine: cleaning, polishing, r/h side cover etc.

EmeryXS650

This is a multiple part question:

What's the best way to clean the engine? Steam, sand blast, that Engine Shine stuff by Gunk??? Price is a concern too, I don't wanna spend alot, just to get it a little shinier than the engine shine...

The "Yamaha" logo, can I have that machined down, and polished???

Is there anywhere to get replacement Tappet covers??? Mine are in decent condition, but I'd like some new ones.

Thanks alot guys. I'm new, but I appreciate everyone being really cool and helpful.

c1skout · Full Member Joined: Sep 10, 2008 Posts: 29

Can't get much cheaper than steel wool and elbow grease.

Teebs · Full Member Joined: Aug 26, 2008 Posts: 255

Yes, you can have someone shave, grind or sand enough aluminum off from the right side cover to remove the logo, then have it polished.

Simple green works really well to clean the engine with a steam cleaner or pressure washer, but with pressure you have to be careful not to push water past the gaskets. And c1skout is right about elbow grease, not only cheapest, but usually you get the best results.

EmeryXS650

I was thinking about the steel wool, but I've heard you scratch it that way... what about one of those cheapy sand blasters???

650skull · Support Staff Joined: Jul 19, 2007 Posts: 1186

To polish cheaply you have to do it yourself and a good way is to sand with fine grit wet and dry...........depending on the state of the cases is where you start with the grit size. If badly oxidized you may want to start with a 250 grit. If just dull and hasn't been cleaned for a year or 2 then

400
800
1000
1200
(some will go up to 2000 grit to get a mirror finish)
and then a dam good polish.
Use water with the wet and dry........the polish Mikes sells or mothers are both good. Up to 1200 and a good polish will give a reflective surface.

I wouldn't recommend sand or bead blasting as it will leave small pits that will have to be sanded anyhow.

Seems to take ages doing it by hand then all of a sudden you are polishing. could take 2or 3 hours each case and it's dam rewarding when it is done
.

pumps

Steel wool comes in several ..grades or whatever. When I used it to remove the clearcoat from my front rim I used 2/0 to remove it and then 0000 to shine it. Go to your local hardware store and get a couple different grades to see what works, just do a little bit to test. My local Westlake Ace hardware has a shelf with the different kinds all in a row.

EmeryXS650

Thanks for the info guys. I'll probably use a degreaser to just see what I'm working with. Then probably go the sandpaper route...

benztech · Full Member Joined: Sep 01, 2009 Posts: 62

send me your tappet covers and i'll put a nice SS wrinkle finish on them. powdercoat of course.

Mofokker · Full Member Joined: Oct 22, 2008 Posts: 46

I had a machine shop mill the Yamaha letters out of the side cover, guy chrged me 70$. Looks good though.

EmeryXS650

Hey Mofocker, thats looks pretty sick. Did ythe $70 include the polish or did you do it yourself??? If you did do it, what did you use??? Also where'd you get that sick kicker??? Did you have to do some fab work to get it on???

gordonscott · Full Member Joined: May 06, 2009 Posts: 304

Belt sander, mask for dust and lots of sandpaper. You will hate your life by the time you are done Laughing

start heavy (80 or so) and work your way up to 1500, finish on buffer. I just used bench grider with wheel attached. I like to use a scotch brite pad for a brushed look when done Wink

p.s. easy-off oven cleaner works real well to clean engine.

EmeryXS650

That looks pretty clean gordon... I like the brushed effect.

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