How to clean up some worn bits of my bike (pics)

newbiker101 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 09 Jun 2014 Karma :

I recently bought a bike, and although it appears mechanically sound (time will tell), cosmetically it needs some TLC. The following things are worse for wear and I'm not sure about the best way to tidy them up. I'm happy to buy some sandpaper and paint to go at it if needed.

1) Around the steering and alloys it looks as though the black paint has worn off in places. https://i.imgur.com/dQAmaUp.jpg

2) Some of the engine components are a bit ratty and look 'mottled'. https://i.imgur.com/N4xetJl.jpg

Any ideas on how I should proceed to sort these bits out? I want to do this DIY and spruce them up.

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

For minor rust on chrome parts use autosol. For fiddly areas use a toothbrush wrapped in a rag to apply it.

For the bar risers you could use fine sandpaper and primer and black rattle can. The top yoke will be a right fiddle so I'd live with it same with the cylinder head which will look bobbins unless you have prior experience. The bars themselves looked scratched so replacement is an option.
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newbiker101 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 09 Jun 2014 Karma :

Thank you for the advice.

I'll pick up some sandpaper, primer and black spray to touch up the easy bits. For the chrome I'll grab some autosol.

I see what you mean about the cylinder head. I suppose I'd need to take it off for professional sand blasting for a good effect. Ideally I just want to spend a couple of hours tidying it up as professional job wouldn't be worth it considering the price I paid for the bike. I've read about using oven cleaner to clear off the grime? Is that recommended?

It would be nice to tidy up the yoke but I'm unsure on the best way to do this. I presume I'd need to take the bars and everything off?

Boris the spider · Nearly there... Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Oven cleaner sometimes works well on Alloy, but I've had better results using strong car alloy wheel cleaner. The head and whole engine could be given a good scrub and de-greasing, if you make sure you block off the inlet ducts, and the exhaust and try to cover up and keep dry the coils, HT leads and the carb.

To improve the top yoke id remove the bars and give them a polish with metal/chrome polish, and the rub the surface of the yoke with a scotchbrite pad to get any loose flakey paint off.

A satin black spray like PJ1 or Plasticote would then be ok, done in 2-3light coats. You would need to carefully mask up everything below the top yoke, and also the ignition switch, clocks and bodywork.

You could certainly make a decent improvement for a couple of hours work on a warm sunny day.

newbiker101 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 09 Jun 2014 Karma :

Brilliant, thanks for the input stevo. It's really helped.

Bunny Lingus · Traffic Copper Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Your top yoke & risers are alloy & if it was me, I would steel wool the paint off them & polish 'em up with a drill based polishing kit. I do this to any alloy parts that look south of shabby, like hubs, cases, covers, heads, carbs etc. Twenty minutes steel wool & twenty minutes polish & you can turn a manky hub into a work of art & once polished it just needs an occasional buff. Steel can also be polished. Mops & soaps are cheap as chips on eBay Thumbs Up

Ed: Rust on stainless steel can be removed with a nylon scouring pad or Coca Cola & alu tin foil. Engine cases, greasy swing arms & poorly looking painted parts can be sprayed with pound shop clone WD40. Small metal parts can be brought back to life with an overnight vinegar bath. Petrol is the best degreaser known to humankind. Brush it on to remove shite, leave to evaporate, spray it with clone WD to protect.
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AzzA1990 · Nova Slayer Joined: 28 Apr 2014 Karma :

Your yoke & risers look like they may have been previously painted, would be easy and also cheap enough to take them off and have them powder coated

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Dalemac · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Oct 2006 Karma :

Engine degreaser will magically melt away any grime on a cylinder head.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-x-Astonish-750ml-CAR-ENGINE-DEGREASER-REMOVES-OIL-GREASE-GRIME-/350841026979?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Car_Care_Cleaning&hash=item51afc139a3
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Bunny Lingus · Traffic Copper Joined: 20 Apr 2014 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

By the same token "clone WD40 to protect" means putting on a coating of oil. A smear of Tesco's cheapest 10Whatevs engine oil and a rag does the same job or better, right?
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ZRX61 · Victor Meldrew Joined: 05 Nov 2003 Karma :

Before you get carried away with oven cleaner: It contains Lye .. which DISSOLVES aluminium...

Just attack with brillo pads & hot water if you want to make the casting look better instead of just cleaner.

For the bar clamps & top yoke, I'd just beadblast & paint.
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