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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » Archive through October 14, 2009 » How to restore the brushed alumnim finish on 2000 X1 tail? « Previous Next »

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Gbackus
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 07:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

First question, did the 2000 X1 have the clear powdercoating over the brushed finish like the '99s?(I can't really tell on mine).

Second, what would be the proper procedure for restoring the brushed finish? I was thinking it'd probably be 100->180->240 grit, but I'm not sure. Anyone know the proper procedure?
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Texastechx1
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 09:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

my 02 came with a "frost" powder coat over my factory alum tail... ithink they all did.

I currently have two extras in my possesion that i've been trying to "restore"... it has been the BIGGEST waste of my time.
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Deanald2pt0
Posted on Saturday, October 03, 2009 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I think this winter the tail on my X1W is coming off, getting bead blasted, and either powder coated or hard coat anodized white to match the rest of the bike.
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Littlebuggles
Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 02:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The metal finishing shop that polished my headers and muffler for me seemed pretty competent. I'll bet they could do that for you... might just be easier to give it a polish though.

I suspect it will be difficult to get nice, clean even lines with sandpaper. Maybe a round nylon or soft wire brush in a drill and steady hand would work?

Another option, I bead blasted section of my Crossroads bars to keep them from bouncing too much light at me, turned out having a nice, smooth matt finish that doesn't really show water spots at all. It would probably only cost a few dollars to have a finishing shop or machine shop blast it for you.
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Richsm2
Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009 - 11:10 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

the brushed finish was an aircraft process to blend the handling marks during production but became "a" process where you had to certified to do. ( make that go to the right class and have the stamp)
as with all aluminum keeping it that way seems to be the job.
using a green pad ( I always go to the lightest abrasive first- if this does not work use 3m pad )keeping your strokes
parallel . first clean up any scratches ALWAYS Parallell and horizontal. and check your spelling when finished
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Pkforbes87
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 06:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I would advise against polishing it if you want it to look good and plan on looking at or breathing near the bike. Mine looks like crap after one summer of riding. It shows wear marks from having saddlebags on the bike for 2000 miles, a deep scratch from bumping it with the seat "plug" portion of the latching mechanism, etc.

If you're going for a good looking finish that is easy to maintain even with regular use, powdercoating would be your best bet.
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Limitedx1
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 11:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

i have personally seen the subframes coated in quite a few different things. the one i had painted had almost like a plastic dipped coating on it. could only be sanded off, paint stripper turned into a gooey mess. also i swear the stock one i took off of my 2000 is painted, or just clear coated. i say sand the finish all the way down then paint it to match.
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Brinnutz
Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 04:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Get another one? LOL
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1313
Posted on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 09:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

All X1 tail sections were powdercoated. Early ones were glossy, while later ones 'frosted' as Texastechx1 mentioned. I forget when exactly they changed, but the 'frosted' coating did a lot better for the outgassing that occurs when powdercoating Aluminum.

Are we clear?
1313
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