Topic: Refurbishing handlebar accoutrements

[nickjtc]

(I also posted this on the CB650 forum).

The switches and knobs, as well as the switch gear housings, on the bike ('79 650) have suffered the ravages of 27 years of UV/heat/cold/rain etc. Is there any way to refurbish them to get rid of the faded look of the switches/knobs (especially the engine cut-off knob), and the crystallised look of the housings?

If it is as simple as painting them (simple?) please advise of suitable paint type/s.

Any ideas out there?

Thanks

[adams77]

The controlls are aluminum, pull them off and take out the switches and polish the snot out of them.

Thats what I did and they look awesome.  While you have the knobs off, spray paint them.

[BobbyR]

Try some ClearCoat polish on the plastics and the anodised aluminum parts

[nickjtc]

Well, there you go!!! I did not know that the housings were metal......I'll strip them and blast them and prettify them.

Thanks fellow posters.

[TwoTired]

 I think all the CBs through 78 had metal, cast aluminum and anodized, usually black, controls.
By 84 (at least) Honda converted to glass filled plastic.  But, I don't know what year the conversion actually took place.

the crystalized look of the housings?

This description sounds like deteriorated glass filled plastic.

If you blast the plastic type, the broken glass fibers can start to stick up like short hair, resulting in finish issues.

I think you should wait for a 650 expert to weigh in before blasting your controls.

Good luck!

PS.  I note my 79 CX has metal controls on the bars.

[KB02]

if you spray paint the knobs, though, get some of that special spra paint for plastics. I can't remember what company it is, but there is a paint out there that chemicaly bonds to the plastic for a better seal and finish.

[theunrulychef]

if you spray paint the knobs, though, get some of that special spra paint for plastics. I can't remember what company it is, but there is a paint out there that chemicaly bonds to the plastic for a better seal and finish.

It's called Fusion (by Krylon I think).  I've had mixed results with that, but overall pretty positive.  It's held up for about a year on my cutoff switch knob, but it's starting to wear on the hard edges of the knob.  Other things around the shop I've used it for are still looking good.  Can't remember what else I used it for on the bike.

When taking apart the control housings, just make sure to remove switches in a somewhat controlled fashion.  The cutoff switch in particular has a spring with a small ball bearing that can go flying when you remove the knob.  I learned the hard way that doing it outside on the sidewalk is a really bad idea unless you like combing over a 10' radius with a flashlight on your hands & knees.    Good thing is, as long as you have the spring, finding another ball bearing to hold the switch to the "on" position isn't too difficult.

[BobbyR]

Most plastics can be polished unless they have fibers in them. I have restored a lot of old radios and the right compound can do wonders. The aluminum parts are anodized, and I am seeing coatings that simulate that coming on the market.

[dusterdude]

if you can find a real automotive paint store,go in and look for sem products.good stuff