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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through August 28, 2003 » Fully Polished Frame & Swingarm pics « Previous Next »

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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Here's some updated pics... look for the hidden message in the last one!

Wheelie
RollingBurnout
Burnout
BurnoutFinger
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Roc
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 01:01 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The frame and swingarm look great!
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Glitch
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

GO SHERM!!!
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Apex1
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 01:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sherm, done any fork tubes to match the frames yet? Nice work with the photos. I like the rolling smokey one!
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Gonen60
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 05:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Damn, how tall are You? The Bike Looks So tiny.
Great photos.
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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 09:07 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Apex- never thought of doing the fork tubes, it's an idea.

Gonen60- I'm 6'2&1/2", 210lbs. The pics were taken from eye level, if they were taken from closer to ground level, the bike would look (a little) less tiny. I like how little the bike is!
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Steelshoe
Posted on Thursday, August 21, 2003 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I hate to rain on your parade but I've heard you can weaken the aluminum from the heat generated by buffing, keep an eye on it.
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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 12:03 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Steelshoe-

See this same thread in the XB Board archives for those concerns. It's been 10k hard & fun miles since the polishing.
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Noface
Posted on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 07:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Ummm... Seems like all the comments about heat bothering the frame come from folks that don't have an XB. If they did, they would know how hot the frame gets from just riding the thing around town.

If you polish the frame with such force to heat it up hotter than the engine does, leave the polishing to someone that know's what they're doing.

Just my take...

Jody S.

BTW, I can't seem to find the "hidden msg" in the last pic. Maybe I need new glasses.
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Bigsherm9r
Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

NoFace- In the pic I've got on the Icon gloves with the little titanium plates on each knuckle. Can you see the 2 knuckle plates from my left hand under my chin?
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Stot
Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 03:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

and there was me thinking there was a native American standing on the next hill saying 'Big Chief Burning Rubber is coming this way'....

Stot
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Spiderman
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

>>>>Ummm... Seems like all the comments about heat bothering the frame come from folks that don't have an XB. If they did, they would know how hot the frame gets from just riding the thing around town.

I don't know one and I know the reason ;)
It is more of a concern with the side wall thickness of 4mm which isn't that thick to start with. You take of a mm or 2 in sanding an polishing. Bingo you loose everything that frame was designed for IE crumple zone so your butt doesn't become airborne from a stationary side impact.
But that frame and swing arm duz look good :D
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Captainplanet
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

You really don't have to take much metal off to polish the frame. It is really smooth under the paint. All it takes is more smoothing. I doubt I am removing anywhere close to 1mm of metal. I have about half of mine polished now. It is a pain doing it with the bike together though. But man, does it look good.
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Noface
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I can see wall thickness being of concern, and grinding the welds smooth. But heat generated from sanding/buffing, no way. I've read there is a sealer on the inside of the frame to keep the aluminum sealed, and heresay says that if can peel off it subjected to high temps from buffing/polishing. That's hogwash, cause the frame on these bikes get pretty damn hot just from having an ENGINE between the spars.

Wall thicknes and grinding off welds? Now that's a different issue, and I can agree with those.

It indeed does look kewl!

Jody S.
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Captainplanet
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 11:52 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I was a bit concerned about grinding off the welds, so I just polished them. They look fine that way.
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Court
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 12:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Heat nor thickness is not the issue.

Ever wonder why frame polishing is not allowed in superbike racing.

I would not polish my frame.

I think it looks spectacular and, like when Bubba Boswell nickle plated his S-1 frame, aam thrilled that someone did it.

Court
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Apex1
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 01:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

What's the issue then, Court? Why is it not allowed in SB?
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Rockbiter1
Posted on Sunday, August 24, 2003 - 03:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I'm guessing its due to the fact that a polished surface is highly reflective (duh). Ever sat behind a large pickup with one of those huge chrome bumpers with the sun behind you? Dazzleing, to say the least...

I'm thinking in a race environment, the sun dazzle would be a major safety concern. Is that right Court? Heck, the crome ring around my speedo is enough to water my eyes on a clear day.

edited by rockbiter1 on August 24, 2003
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Captainplanet
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 01:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Court,

I took this directly from the 2003 superbike rules. Check out number 4.

5. The following items may not be altered from the originally approved
model except as noted:
(a) Stock main frame
(1) Frame must display vehicle identification number.
(2) Strengthening gussets and tubes may be added, but none may be
removed.
(3) Accessory brackets (radiator, shock reservoir, stands, etc.) may be
changed, relocated, added or removed. Holes may be drilled only for the
purpose of attaching brackets or other components.
(4) Frames may be painted, powder coated, polished or surface treated.

Looks like you can polish a frame in Superbike racing. Unless, I am reading it wrong, which is certainly possible.
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Anonymous
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 02:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Just an FYI.

The internal coating can withstand temperatures of up to 500° F. Welding could cause problems with the internal coating, but buffing etc. should't.

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Darthane
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 02:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Grr...guess that means I can't powder-coat my frame then...IIRC, they bake it at higher temps than that.

Is the interior of the swingarm coated as well?
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José_quiñones
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 03:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Have the race bikes with the welded on frame slider mounts shown signs of the internal coating degrading to date?
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Sarodude
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 03:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I've HEARD of the race bikes having fuel system problems which were a result of that coating flaking off and mucking stuff up. I'd also heard about some dude named Santa Claus.

-Saro
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Captainplanet
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 04:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

My frame polishing technique is almost all by hand and thus not causing much heat at all. The vast majority of the work is using wet sandpaper by hand from rough grit 400 and working your way up to 2000 grit. After that some mothers metal polish gets it to almost chrome like. Then you can hit it with a buffer and it really shines. I just buff a little at a time and keep the temp cool enough so that it does not burn me when I touch the surface with my hand. The bike is coming along nicely. I'll post pics when I am done, which may be a while yet.
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Blake
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 05:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

They bake powder coat at higher than 500oF? That sounds awfully high. We build military airplanes from epoxy based composites that cure at 250oF. Can't imagine why a surface finish would need more than that; 500oF is HOT! I'd imagined it was more along the lines of 350oF, but I'm just thinking out loud.

Is typical powder coat a thermo-set or a thermo-plastic? Probably a thermoplastic or it would set up at room temp and need to be stored in a freezer. Hmmm, thermo-plastic would lead to needing higher curing temperatures. Okay, maybe 500o is the deal. Anyone know for sure?
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Bluzm2
Posted on Tuesday, August 26, 2003 - 06:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

If memory serves, powder coating bakes at about 425 or 450.
A couple of powdercoating sites I just checked say 400 degrees for 10 minutes.

Experts???
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Hootowl
Posted on Wednesday, August 27, 2003 - 04:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

When I had my swingarm coated, the painter said the cure temp depended on the color. Yellow was 375.
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