Like a hole in the head...

[rustybronco]

Thanks very much GT. I sometimes wonder if I don't bore people with my posts.

That sir, will never happen! Keep it up...

[tkent02]

Got any pics of the bronze XL250? Doing a DR350, looking for ideas.

[steve murdoch]

A couple 400Fs that i think would be fun to ride.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C460178

[nvr2old]

Got any pics of the bronze XL250? Doing a DR350, looking for ideas.

Here's a couple. I like the multi-color look of this engine.



I'm thinking about painting the valve cover the same bronze, and then the head and cylinders of the 400F the same cast iron gray that's on the left side smaller cover here..and then the block stock silver.



Although hard to tell in the pic, all the edges of the head and cylinders of the 400 have been filed and sanded smooth, so highlighting the edges after paint like on the XL is what I'm thinking, too..

[nvr2old]

A couple 400Fs that i think would be fun to ride.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C460178

Those are cool bikes, for sure. I noticed that they even have the stock 4 into 1 headers painted black but with different mufflers. Wonder where those came from. They look good.

[Guest]

I like your thinking on the engine Larry, that cover does look good!

And... just a touch up... haha... yeah we all know how that goes

[nvr2old]

Just not getting a whole lot done these past couple of weeks. Crazy busy, cold weather, and preparing for the holidays..but, I did manage to get the engine painted. The cylinders and head are painted a cast iron gray with the edges polished, the valve cover is the same bronze as the counter shaft and clutch covers. I also didn't want to over-polish the small aluminum bits on this one as I've done on bikes in the past. I want this one to have a bit of "age" to it.











I'll let it sit for a couple of days and cure before wrapping it up under masking so I can do the frame. As always, thanks for the interest, and Merry Christmas..

[Guest]

Looks great to me Larry, top job! And Merry Christmas!

[nvr2old]

I'm waiting till next weekend to spray the frame. My wife will be at work all day, and she's really sensitive to the fumes. With the garage attached to the house it's impossible to keep them all out. So, I thought I'd dink around with some parts that don't use paint. I fitted the '82 Honda CB450T Hawk front fender today.



It actually fit the forks real well once a bit of hardware was cut off.



Sets down on real nice now.





I thought it looked a bit heavy so I cut about 4 inches off the back.



Better, but still too much on the front..so..



I think that looks a lot better. 4 inches off the back and about 3 inches off the leading edge.





Does it look too modern for a mid 70's bike..? Hmmm.. I'm kind of on the fence, but I believe once it's painted and it matches the rest, it might look pretty cool..I can always put the stock chrome fender back on if I don't like it.

[tkent02]

Looks very good. Maybe another inch back on the back of it but that's going to go great with the slightly cafe'd thing you are doing. CAn't wait to see it all painted.

[nvr2old]

Yay! Finally had a couple of days to get the frame painted. Wish I had my shop here for this. Boy, I'll never take good heat and lights for granted..

Started masking the engine. Only took about 30 minuted.





2" tape worked great for covering the bottom half and to keep the paper away from the frame rails.



Primed it after getting the front end masked. I covered the entire floor with plastic so as to keep my landlord happy..



One coat of primer..two was enough to cover the bare metal..



Ahh..shiny again.











I'll let it set for a few days, and then re-assembly begins. Can't wait to get this back together so I can get started on the body work.

[jwhelan65]

Amazing work Larry, always a pleasure to view your artwork!

[tkent02]

Looking great!! What is the paint you used?

[nvr2old]

Thanks you guys. The paint is single stage PPG Concept Black urethane. It flows out so nice, it looks like it was powder coated. I'm pretty happy with the results.

[nvr2old]

Started cleaning up and re-painting parts as it goes back together again. Thought I'd start in the front and work my way back, basically opposite of the way it came apart, so we'll see how it goes.

Took the gauges apart to repaint them. How do you even get rash here?



The chrome buckets got scratched too, so I sanded the scratches out with 180 and made them look brushed instead. I like it.



I really didn't want to dissect the tach but this was on the inside of the lens..argh.



Better..



If you ever get tired of sanding you can sand, and if that gets boring you can sand, and if that gets old you can always..sand..







Nice way to spend and afternoon while watching football play offs..





I like the way they reflect the same finishes as the forks now.