Scratches on engine casing

Johanna · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Jul 2018 Karma :

I recently bought a second hand bike, 2000 miles on the clock. Looked great in the shop.
Now I've washed it a few times I'm beginning to see some very minor telltale scratches on the engine casing. So the previous owner had a little accident and it was covered up.
I'm fine with this. I'll just tidy it up and protect the bike myself as I intend to keep it long term.
How am I best off protecting the engine so it doesn't corrode at the scratches? I ride all year round so it's going to get salt and stuff in it. I apply bike protectant to the bike but is there more I can do at this specific location?
I assume if I do anything cosmetic to cover up the scratches they will reappear when I clean the bike next time. I mean - if it was possible to hide them permanently then they would already have done it, right?
The main thing I want is to keep the bike in as good condition as possible for as long as possible.

oilyrag · Nova Slayer Joined: 07 Oct 2020 Karma :

Can you put up a picture of the scratch?

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

A common dealer trick (car and bike) is to cover up minor scratches in black painted parts with felt-tip marker pen.

So I wouldn't assume any damage had been repaired properly. Quite the opposite, I would assume it had been covered up using the minimum necessary effort so you don't notice it in the showroom.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

jeffyjeff · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 May 2020 Karma :

Is it an aluminum engine casing? Are these minor scratches, or is it road rash? if you are so inclined, you can smooth the damage with sandpaper, gradually moving to wet-dry and finishing with rubbing compound and polishing compound. I have finished some pretty ugly rash in both aluminum and plastic using patience and elbow grease. Might never look OE to a trained eye, but you can get pretty damn close.
____________________
History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

Johanna · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Jul 2018 Karma :

It's small, but if I can clean it up and protect it sooner rather than later I'd be happy.
https://i.postimg.cc/XNsN3fWV/20210114-150228.jpg

Riejufixing · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Jun 2018 Karma :

rpsmith79 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Jan 2017 Karma :

The other option (if available) is to buy some engine covers/protectors (R&G and the like)

Then you can apply whatever touch up/protectant spray, and then cover the whole thing with the engine covers
____________________
Current Bike: ~~Honda CG125 ES4~~ // ~~Honda CB600FS Hornet~~ // Triumph Street Triple R

Johanna · Nova Slayer Joined: 21 Jul 2018 Karma :

steve the grease · Crazy Courier Joined: 26 Jan 2018 Karma :

Theres an aerosol called 5 wheel silver, the idea being that there is enough to paint , or at least touch up 5 wheels. It can give quite a good finish on engine casings, it's quite easy to spray ( do a test piece first) and then you could wipe the excess off leaving the paint in the scratch. Maybe leave it till it warms up a bit or it will bloom (go all white) because of all the damp in the air.
____________________
All the above is my personal opinion, you can see my lips move, but I'm talking out of my arse.
I've been riding, and fixing , bikes for 50 years, in that time the more I learn, the less I am absolutely sure of.....

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

The Old Simoniz wheel silver used to be an almost perfect match for Honda silver they used on engines and frames. the new stuff not so much.

Those are not 'accident' scratches. All that's happened there is the bike has gone over whilst stationary.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good Very Happy