My '73 850 rebuild..

swooshdave · Mar 26, 2011

KSUWildcatFan said:
No one chiming in on how much of an atrocity it was to paint the motor black? Really?! :mrgreen:

You have to live with it, not us. :mrgreen:

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

swooshdave said:
KSUWildcatFan said:

No one chiming in on how much of an atrocity it was to paint the motor black? Really?! :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

You have to live with it, not us. :mrgreen:

I think it's a cool look.

Sure as hell looks better than what I started with!

swooshdave · Mar 26, 2011

KSUWildcatFan said:
swooshdave said:

KSUWildcatFan said:

No one chiming in on how much of an atrocity it was to paint the motor black? Really?! :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

You have to live with it, not us. :mrgreen:

Click to expand...

I think it's a cool look.

Sure as hell looks better than what I started with!

That would have cleaned up purty.

But with Nortons, different is good. If I see another black Roadster... :wink:

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

swooshdave said:
That would have cleaned up purty.

But with Nortons, different is good. If I see another black Roadster... :wink:

The gunk on the bottom mostly (but not completely) chipped off with some serious elbow grease. The crap on the barrels stuck really well. No way it was coming off. I didn't want to do a full motor rebuild, either, so tumbling was out. Maybe later on if I tire of the black.

How about a black interstate with a Corbin seat?

swooshdave · Mar 26, 2011

Couldn't you have soda blasted it?

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

swooshdave said:
Couldn't you have soda blasted it?

Without tearing everything apart?

pete.v · Mar 26, 2011

I tried that homemade sosa blaster. It works ok for small stuff like carbs but can't see it for large stuff like cases. I used various wire wheels on a drill. Different cups, wheel types and coursenesses. Good quick results.

That paint is probably still pretty green! Hint, hint. :mrgreen:

That being said, you could accent the jugs by removing the paint on the edges.

swooshdave · Mar 26, 2011

KSUWildcatFan said:
swooshdave said:

Couldn't you have soda blasted it?

Click to expand...

Without tearing everything apart?

It's just baking soda, just plug up the holes. Not saying it would work, but in might (have). :mrgreen:

Like I said, there's nothing wrong with different.

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

Oh well. Too late now!

pete.v · Mar 26, 2011

If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts then everyday would be Christmas.

Rob Norton · Mar 26, 2011

I think the black case and head will look quite striking. I have seen an 850 with a black engine with a chrome Roadster tank and side covers-it looked very showy (certainly not everyone's taste). Unfortunately, that bike had been bobbed by cutting the tail loop off. To each his own!

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

Rob Norton said:
I think the black case and head will look quite striking. I have seen an 850 with a black engine with a chrome Roadster tank and side covers-it looked very showy (certainly not everyone's taste). Unfortunately, that bike had been bobbed by cutting the tail loop off. To each his own!

Eep! My bike certainly won't be "all-original" but hacking away at the frame will definitely not be happening on my bike!

Jeandr · Mar 26, 2011

Can't wait to see the finished bike, it will look good I am sure. I have seen pictures of a black engine / trans and it looks fine.

Jean

A few examples I picked up over time:

KSUWildcatFan · Mar 26, 2011

Nice pics Jean, thanks!

Jeandr · Mar 27, 2011

Here is another one with a black head.

This is my own "S" with roadster pipes. I had the hubs, the head, cylinder and instrument cups painted black. At the time I was on training in Toronto and I was staying in a cheap hotel with a kitchenette, I used the oven to cook the paint on the parts, stunk up the whole floor :mrgreen: