| Author | Message | ||
     Axl_bouy |
Well since we just got another 10" of snow the other day, and it's still freezing, I'm contemplating tackling the task of polishing many of the visible parts on and around the engine on my '97 M2. I worked at a metal finishing plant for about a year, (nickel plating) so the concept of polishing is nothing new to me. Many small parts must be pre-polished for a mirror like nickel plating. However, I've never taken on quite this much at once before...lol. I know it's a hell of a job, but old man winter still has a few months left in him here in Green Bay. Has anybody else done anything similar? If so, about how many hours went into it? Any tips or hints? | ||
| Koz5150 |
I don't think we have met, but I feel you pain about winter, I live in Appleton (Neenah to be exact). I have done alot of polishing on my M2. Swingarm, front fork tubes, and a number of other parts along with LEDs ond some other stuff. see here  | ||
| Axl_bouy |
Ken that couldn't be more like the look I'm going for, even the powder coated heads. And it looks damn good, thanks for convincing me on choosing that direction. I checked out the website on the banner behind you. You guys do great work. | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
Bike looks great Ken. My engine cases are black,but I have polished the derby cover, boomerang, brake pedal, front engine mount,exhaust and rocker boxes by hand. The swingarm and rear pulley are next! What stand are you using in the picture? I need one like that!   | ||
| Koz5150 |
Scott, I don't remember the name of it, but I love it. I got lucky and bought the last one the particular seller had, he sold it to me half price ($75) since it had been used. Alex, That is my Dad's company and we do all kinds of different stuff. That picture is from about 3 years ago in the Shopko Hall during Cyclemania (which has been cancelled now). I see you have a 97 M2. You know you can put the newer style swingarm, like mine, on your bike. I see them once in awhile on eBay. I actually have my own collection of parts, couple of body sets and other assorted parts I have purchased very cheap on eBay. It came in very handy when I rolled my bike on the track a few years ago. Also, I have installed close to 100 orange LED lights on the bike. They are very well hidden! At night the entire bike has a orange glow that lights up the ground more then 3 feet all the way around the bike. It looks very cool with the orange frame. It took awhile to do, but I get alot of complements on it. It also helps that I could purchase them at cost. (Message edited by koz5150 on February 21, 2008) | ||
| Skntpig |
Do it. I polished alot of parts before I put my bike back together. I just hate when people say I love all the chrome. They look a bit confused when I tell them there is no chrome. It sounds like you may have a source but if not check tarheelparts.com for polishing supplies and buffers. I think that is a center stand made by Pitbull stands. Good luck. | ||
| Jos51700 |
If machine polishing, I would be concerned about heat-warping the derby cover, cam cover, or rocker boxes, but beyond that, they're beautiful when polished. | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
I'm pretty sure that is a Don Shalla stand that picks up off of the pegs. | ||
| Koz5150 |
It is a D.S.E. stand. I don't believe they are on the market anymore, however you can find them used around here or on eBay once in awhile. | ||
| Axl_bouy |
Well I'm beginning the tear down tonight. Tank, tail, and flyscreen to be painted a very dark gunmetal with a silver flake. All visible engine/aluminum parts to be polished. I wasn't planning on painting the frame this year, but we'll just have to see how intense this tear down gets; and the winter. Before the end of it, that may just happen. I mentioned on another thread that I just picked up this bike about a week ago. I recently sold my 1970 454 Camaro project. A new edition to the family induced a good hard look at the funds the car would have required to finish. Hence, no more Camaro and a new Buell (well, new to me.) Anyway, I digress, my point is that I come from more of an auto mechanic background and not a motorcycle background. However, as I've started tearing into it, I was happy to find that the M2 has the same beautiful simplicity, if not more, than the departed muscle car. I'll keep this thread updated with some posts of some polished products, and let everyone know what methods seem to work best for me! (Message edited by axl_bouy on February 21, 2008) | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Axl_buoy. Make sure you post some before and after pics. As you can see from my profile picture my bike is Black on Black on Black. Not really my cup of tea , though I know it is really "In" right now. I'd like to polish some of my parts but am on a low budget. I'll be really interested on how you polish your Cases, etc. The M2 is a great looking bike. | ||
| Koz5150 |
Talk about irony. I had a 1978 rs Camaro I also sold. I found when I wanted to go out and have fun, the bike was more fun! Careful painting the tank. There is a lot of info on this board about it (use the search function). In short, if not done properly you will have a bubbling mess after on season of riding. | ||
| Axl_bouy |
  Well there you go. There are some spots I have to touch up yet. Didn't have the right Dremell bits to sand around the lettering or that inside edge. I'm pretty happy with the rest of it though, and it was one of the more difficult parts. Can't wait to get the rest done! | ||
| Xodot |
That is sweet. I can see you are going to get me thinking to do the same crazy thing if I keep following this thread! | ||
| Axl_bouy |
I'll tell you what, it isn't easy. The sanding is obviously the worst part. I started wet-sanding with 240 and worked up to 320 and 600. I didn't use a power sander on this part either, I did it by hand with a block in my kitchen sink. As for the buffing and polishing, I picked up a $20.00 kit at harbor freight. Not the fanciest kit, but I didn't want to order one online and lose a week of work waiting for it. The polishing took maybe an hour and a half, and wasn't too difficult. | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
That's looks great ! Please keep posting. Any technical info, like you provided, will be a big help to others who want to try the same. | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Axl_buoy, How is the polishing coming? I got as far as the headers but that was about it. Let's see some pictures of your project. |
