1984 XR250R. The madness continues:-) - Page 6

SpudRider · 11-13-2011, 11:08 PM

The bike looks great! The Maier plastic is beautiful.

How did you prepare the engine for painting?

Spud

FastDoc · 11-13-2011, 11:14 PM

Powerwash then tooth brush and paint brush with mineral spirits.

I'm only after good, not coucours :wink: .

If you do your KLX this winter Spud I'd recommend pulling the motor. By the time I had masked the frame to paint the engine, and vice-versa, I could have removed the engine and done a better job in the process :? .

If you paint the KLX's frame I'd recommend an epoxy or similar high quality paint. For the motor I'd use a silver basecoat/clearcoat engine paint

.

For all the black bits good old Plasitkote :P .

For the rims I found fine steel wool and mineral spirits to polish them nicely.

New plastic and some decals and you're good to go.

Weldangrind · 11-14-2011, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the tips. I never thought of fine steel wool for aluminum rims.

Where did you find the swingarm decals?

FastDoc · 11-14-2011, 01:50 PM

eBay for like $7 delivered in a regular 1st class envelope.

FastDoc · 11-14-2011, 09:45 PM

The paint is on. It's a high quality epoxy and I suspect it should hold up well. The match is perfect. It's already dry but I'll try to wait till tomorrow to really let it cure before I unmask it :P .

Then it's a simple matter of bolting on the exhaust, footpegs, shifter, skid plate, tank and seat and I'll be done.

Sorta.

I think the gaiters can stand a refinish as well. :wink:

The tank looks as shiny as new.

I have some black leather/vinyl dye that should clean these right up.

This is the product I used.

Weldangrind · 11-15-2011, 02:08 AM

How did you apply the paint? Compressor or spray bomb?

Might as well go all the way and polish the skid plate.

It'll be really easy to clean if you do.

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 11:10 AM

I DID polish the skidplate :oops: .

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 11:27 AM

Some quick low quality cellphone pics I took this AM while rushing out the door.

It really looks great :P . Much better than I thought it would, thank God. I now pray the new paint holds up well, especially the engine. The engine paint is good for 500 degrees so I figure it will be fine.

BTW, there were no exhaust gaskets in the head when I took it apart, so I put it back together the same way. Assuming it does not leak, can I leave it that way?

Also the new plastic, like the old, did not have any heat insulation on the inside of the right side cover. Should I fabricate something> I was just thinking about 10-20 layers of aluminum foil and some duct tape or contact cement.

Weldangrind · 11-15-2011, 01:01 PM

That looks like a brand new bike!

You can leave the exhaust without gaskets if you wish, but it will always leak a little. Not a problem with denim, but nylon riding pants will melt. I bet that if you remove the header and look into the exhaust port, you'll find very compressed metal gaskets that have become one with the head. If there are no gaskets at all, it might make a mess of your freshly painted head and cylinder.

Do you still have a pile of XR200 parts in the corner? If so, look on the back of the right side cover and see if there is a heat shield there. You could always bond it to the Maier cover.

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 01:15 PM

No heat shield on the old cover. I may still make one out of foil and glue or tape though to be on the safe side.

Looking at pics I took of the exhaust ports I think there is an old gasket squashed in there. I'll start it and see if it leaks. If I cant feel anything I'll let it be. If it dodes leak I'll order some new gaskets.

The pics don't do it justice. It really does look like an (almost) new bike. I'll take some better pics soon, likely Wednesday.

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 01:16 PM

BTW, any leads on a clear vinyl tape or something I can use to protect the paint on the frame from future wear? I'd like to use some on the KLX also.

fishman10 · 11-15-2011, 04:45 PM

doc how bout that clear stuff they sell at pep boys for along the bottom edge of cars for stone and chip protection?its kinda like wide tape. BTW both hondas are gorgeous ,,I found lil sweeties twin in an elderly gentlemens shed .. He had died ,,,and the family sold it to me,,,,I restored it enough to ride .Then I foolishly sold it ,,,,,,ah it was fun!

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 05:07 PM

Thanks for the tip! I'll check the local autoparts store.

Thanks for the compliment also. I don't think I'll be selling Little Sweetie. I'm sure she'd be on the (not so) short list of vehicles I've regretted selling.

Two 1972 V8 Chevelles.
1972 Cadillac with 500 cubic inch V8.
The original Dirt Rat.
1985 RZ350.
1989 Ford Probe GT.
1990 Ninja 1100.
Two KLR650's.
1978 Fiat 131 Mirafiori.
1972 Fiat 850 Spyder.

God only knows what else I miss but there's a partial list. :wink:

fishman10 · 11-15-2011, 05:10 PM

Also pep boys and others sell that thick foil with adhesive backing for making heat shields,,,,I,ve used it many times on atvs and dirtbikes.

FastDoc · 11-15-2011, 05:31 PM

Great tip. We don't have Pep Boys here but we have O'Reiley which I think is pretty much the same idea.

11-13-2011, 11:08 PM	#76
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	The bike looks great! The Maier plastic is beautiful. How did you prepare the engine for painting? Spud __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

11-13-2011, 11:14 PM	#77
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Powerwash then tooth brush and paint brush with mineral spirits. I'm only after good, not coucours :wink: . If you do your KLX this winter Spud I'd recommend pulling the motor. By the time I had masked the frame to paint the engine, and vice-versa, I could have removed the engine and done a better job in the process :? . If you paint the KLX's frame I'd recommend an epoxy or similar high quality paint. For the motor I'd use a silver basecoat/clearcoat engine paint . For all the black bits good old Plasitkote :P . For the rims I found fine steel wool and mineral spirits to polish them nicely. New plastic and some decals and you're good to go. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-14-2011, 01:40 PM	#78
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Thanks for the tips. I never thought of fine steel wool for aluminum rims. Where did you find the swingarm decals? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-14-2011, 01:50 PM	#79
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	eBay for like $7 delivered in a regular 1st class envelope. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-14-2011, 09:45 PM	#80
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	The paint is on. It's a high quality epoxy and I suspect it should hold up well. The match is perfect. It's already dry but I'll try to wait till tomorrow to really let it cure before I unmask it :P . Then it's a simple matter of bolting on the exhaust, footpegs, shifter, skid plate, tank and seat and I'll be done. Sorta. I think the gaiters can stand a refinish as well. :wink: The tank looks as shiny as new. I have some black leather/vinyl dye that should clean these right up. This is the product I used. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 02:08 AM	#81
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	How did you apply the paint? Compressor or spray bomb? Might as well go all the way and polish the skid plate. It'll be really easy to clean if you do. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-15-2011, 11:10 AM	#82
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	I DID polish the skidplate :oops: . __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 11:27 AM	#83
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Some quick low quality cellphone pics I took this AM while rushing out the door. It really looks great :P . Much better than I thought it would, thank God. I now pray the new paint holds up well, especially the engine. The engine paint is good for 500 degrees so I figure it will be fine. BTW, there were no exhaust gaskets in the head when I took it apart, so I put it back together the same way. Assuming it does not leak, can I leave it that way? Also the new plastic, like the old, did not have any heat insulation on the inside of the right side cover. Should I fabricate something> I was just thinking about 10-20 layers of aluminum foil and some duct tape or contact cement. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 01:01 PM	#84
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	That looks like a brand new bike! You can leave the exhaust without gaskets if you wish, but it will always leak a little. Not a problem with denim, but nylon riding pants will melt. I bet that if you remove the header and look into the exhaust port, you'll find very compressed metal gaskets that have become one with the head. If there are no gaskets at all, it might make a mess of your freshly painted head and cylinder. Do you still have a pile of XR200 parts in the corner? If so, look on the back of the right side cover and see if there is a heat shield there. You could always bond it to the Maier cover. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-15-2011, 01:15 PM	#85
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	No heat shield on the old cover. I may still make one out of foil and glue or tape though to be on the safe side. Looking at pics I took of the exhaust ports I think there is an old gasket squashed in there. I'll start it and see if it leaks. If I cant feel anything I'll let it be. If it dodes leak I'll order some new gaskets. The pics don't do it justice. It really does look like an (almost) new bike. I'll take some better pics soon, likely Wednesday. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 01:16 PM	#86
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	BTW, any leads on a clear vinyl tape or something I can use to protect the paint on the frame from future wear? I'd like to use some on the KLX also. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 04:45 PM	#87
fishman10 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central PA Posts: 770	dirt rat 2 doc how bout that clear stuff they sell at pep boys for along the bottom edge of cars for stone and chip protection?its kinda like wide tape. BTW both hondas are gorgeous ,,I found lil sweeties twin in an elderly gentlemens shed .. He had died ,,,and the family sold it to me,,,,I restored it enough to ride .Then I foolishly sold it ,,,,,,ah it was fun! __________________ 2015 zongshen rx3,,(Sold),,,2016 bashan storm,,2005 Harley ultra classic.
	0

11-15-2011, 05:07 PM	#88
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Thanks for the tip! I'll check the local autoparts store. Thanks for the compliment also. I don't think I'll be selling Little Sweetie. I'm sure she'd be on the (not so) short list of vehicles I've regretted selling. Two 1972 V8 Chevelles. 1972 Cadillac with 500 cubic inch V8. The original Dirt Rat. 1985 RZ350. 1989 Ford Probe GT. 1990 Ninja 1100. Two KLR650's. 1978 Fiat 131 Mirafiori. 1972 Fiat 850 Spyder. God only knows what else I miss but there's a partial list. :wink: __________________ Happy to serve.
	0

11-15-2011, 05:10 PM	#89
fishman10 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: central PA Posts: 770	hondas Also pep boys and others sell that thick foil with adhesive backing for making heat shields,,,,I,ve used it many times on atvs and dirtbikes. __________________ 2015 zongshen rx3,,(Sold),,,2016 bashan storm,,2005 Harley ultra classic.
	0

11-15-2011, 05:31 PM	#90
FastDoc Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southeastern Washington desert Posts: 14,761	Great tip. We don't have Pep Boys here but we have O'Reiley which I think is pretty much the same idea. __________________ Happy to serve.
	0