Where do you draw the bloody line...?!?! (2014)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
22,143
Country flag
Well, I thought I'd just slot in my cradle and swinging arm assembly fresh from being beautifully refurbished by Norman White, inc freshly blasted and painted...

And... Some of you will know what's coming... The frame that was previously deemed to be OK now looks distinctly not OK!

So, on top of all the other jobs I've inadvertently added to this 'quick tidy up' I've now decided I've 'got to' get the frame done too.

Is there no end to this madness :?
 
concours said:
Painted? Or plastic powder?
Click to expand...

Good question. I have been against powder since having bad experiences 20 ish years ago. But finding good stove enamelers is becoming very difficult.

I am leaning towards powder...
 
Well first, it never ends...isn't that the fun of it? :shock:

I am looking at 2 part epoxy finish for my frame. Not original I know, but neither is powder coating. I just did one of my CBR frames with satin black epoxy and it looks very nice. Not quite as durable as powder but solvent and gas proof.
 
Other lists refer to Commando's as never ending seeking of perfection. If ya into daily use hazards and ongoing wrenching retorquing etc, I've found any and every coating, two part epoxy to melted plastic > all similar low resistance to touching by edges of tools so settled on rattle can paint with clear coat as powder coat so thick its a bugger to cover up the depth and the same color tint glossy finish. MIght want to pre fit cradle with engine cases to diddle assembly alignment ease before commiting to fragil "final" perfected finishes. i found welded repairs from apparent crash on prior crash bars, so hope your bare frame don't reveal some head cockers imperfections.
 
I got mine all finished an on the road but the engine breathed a bit to much so head come off then barrels next it full engine rebuild. An big valve head while its getting new valves an guides anyway. Then while the engine is out there are few other jobs........
Now it a bare frame an needs completely reassembling so last year was more of a dry build an test run.

There is no line it never ends :lol:
 
He's not just 'a Commando', he's your Commando - you give him anything and everything he needs.
Cheers, Martin (I like Commandos)
 
I am doing an engine rebuild on mine. My goal at this time is running and driving, safe and reliable.
No cosmetics. It doesnt look that bad until you start painting and hanging new parts on it.
At that point the original parts start looking bad. I am going for function and someday go for it all.
Once you start there is no stopping. Good luck and post some pics when you are done.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Good question. I have been against powder since having bad experiences 20 ish years ago. But finding good stove enamelers is becoming very difficult.
Click to expand...

Slight chance the technology has improved in the last, say… 20 ish years. Slight.
 
Don't try the home sink and bath tub refinishing stuff I've read. MIght check into what wood stove makers use.
 
Depends on how you intend to use the bike. If you want the concours winning commando, the approach is different to building a racer. My bike doesn't look scrappy, however it is about function. The frame is simply painted so that if it cracks it can easily be welded and touched up. I use aerosol paint - I would never do that to the 110% bike. It is always about 'fit for purpose with obvious attention to detail'.
 
swooshdave said:
Fast Eddie said:
Good question. I have been against powder since having bad experiences 20 ish years ago. But finding good stove enamelers is becoming very difficult.
Click to expand...

Slight chance the technology has improved in the last, say… 20 ish years. Slight.
Click to expand...

Indeed Dave, hence I'm now more than leaning towards powder, having consulted Tony Smith (yet again) I'm going to use the outfit that he uses.
 
Are you going to ride it or just look at it, I got my frame painted in 2 pak over 33 years ago, as soon as you start riding it it will get road grim on the frame, my Norton was a 7 day a week ride, 4 years ago I rebuilt it but to my surprise the paint on the frame was still good just needing a few touch ups here and there, my bike is no show stopper but it looks clean all the time, most of the frame is hidden with parts, if you srach the frame when reassenbling at lease with paint you can do touch ups, with pwoder coat it will srach and chip and you will see where you have touched it up, so if it was me I just use nomal paint and spend my money on something else for the bike.

Ashley
 
Where do you draw the bloody line...?!?!

Duh when the insides of wallet touches them selves or the digital accounting goes above current credit limit, sheeze.
 
I hAd my frame powder coated and was surprised that it was not resistant to. Fuel when I broke a petcock. I also had trouble trying to fix scratches and bare patches caused by the seat rubbing. I think if I were doing it again I might try a paint finish. My painter recommends two pot.
 
If you go for powder then you'll really need to refinish swing arm and cradle again to match ! Plus you have all the hassles of fit round the swing arm area. I've been more than satisfied with a good two-pack black.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Kurt V
  • Locked
Mikuni carb conversion: where do you run oil tank vent line?
Replies
4
Views
1,199
eskasteve
eskasteve
Norcoastal
  • Locked
Where do you guys find your bolts?
2 3 4
Replies
66
Views
8,245
Bernhard
B
K
  • Locked
where do you mount your Boyer?
Replies
16
Views
2,107
swooshdave
swooshdave
Back
Top