Topic: Freshening up my 1974 Boss Maroon Metallic CB550 *Purple Rain*

[rocs]

Hey guys,

I have started the process of freshening up my CB550. This was my first vintage motorcycle and I named her purple rain. I bought it late spring of 2014. She's a great bike and has never let me down. I figured I may as well freshen her up some for the next 14K miles.

My plan is to strip the bike down to the frame and paint with with Eastwood paint since they are local to me here in Pennsylvania.

I will then replace some parts and polish her up.

Plan:

• Paint frame

• Replace right side bent fork ear

• Polish up all nuts and bolts

• Polish engine covers, valve covers, rocker side covers, and other miscellaneous aluminum pieces.

• Possible replace engine gaskets

• paint engine

I plan to use all the original parts that are on the bike. I will not be painting the side covers or gas tank.

Here are some before pictures and some progress shots.

Before pictures:

[rocs]

Starting the tare down

[Stev-o]

Along for the ride....update?

[hank3841]

Love that color. I had an exact duplicate of your bike back in the day.  Bought her off the showroom floor as a young GI. I'll watch this thread for sure.

[DH]

Is your rear grab bar stock or from another year 550? Seems like it kicks up a bit higher in the rear.  That color
stands out while being conservative at the same time, and a lot of adjectives can be used to describe it. Very nice.

[Bankerdanny]

Harbour Freight sells a chassis black paint that looks terrific. I used it on my 550 frame and it has just the right amount of gloss.

[rocs]

Hey guys, sorry for the lack of updates. It was a cold winter and I don't have a heated garage yet. Because of that, i wasn't able to paint due to the temperatures. Things should start rolling now. Heres a couple pictures. Got the engine cleaned up and almost ready to paint. Also go the frame stripped down and almost ready to paint.

[rocs]

Is your rear grab bar stock or from another year 550? Seems like it kicks up a bit higher in the rear.  That color
stands out while being conservative at the same time, and a lot of adjectives can be used to describe it. Very nice.

To be honest, I am not sure if it is stock or from an other year. I don't have any other 1974's to compare it to but now that you have mentioned it, I will look into it.

I agree with your comments about the color. I really like it a lot.

[rocs]

Harbour Freight sells a chassis black paint that looks terrific. I used it on my 550 frame and it has just the right amount of gloss.

Hey Danny,

Your frame came out great. I think I am going to paint my frame with a Black Appliance Epoxy. Its strong paint and durable. My friend recently did his and it came out great. Heres a picture of his frame after we put the engine back in.

[rocs]

So I have decided on my paint for the engine and the frame. Here goes....

Engine

• VHT Engine Enamel Light Gray Primer (1 coat)

• VHT Engine Enamel Nu-Cast Aluminum (3-4 Coats)

• (Possibly, Would like some opinions on this) VHT Engine Enamel Gloss Clear Coat (1 Coat)

Frame

• Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy

Afterwards, I am going to Bake the engine using a cardboard box and a heat gun for an hour or so. Im gonna closely monitor it for safety reasons and to not burn down my garage!

[Retro Rocket]

The frame mods on your friends bike are very well done,  More pics as it evolves would be nice...

[rocs]

The frame mods on your friends bike are very well done,  More pics as it evolves would be nice...

Heres his build thread. I should try and convince him to start one over here as well. He does amazing work. He has a few other completed projects that are mind blowing.

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28850

[Retro Rocket]

The frame mods on your friends bike are very well done,  More pics as it evolves would be nice...

Heres his build thread. I should try and convince him to start one over here as well. He does amazing work. He has a few other completed projects that are mind blowing.

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28850

He certainly has some skills...

[Stev-o]

So I have decided on my paint for the engine and the frame. Here goes....

Engine

• VHT Engine Enamel Light Gray Primer (1 coat)

• VHT Engine Enamel Nu-Cast Aluminum (3-4 Coats)

• (Possibly, Would like some opinions on this) VHT Engine Enamel Gloss Clear Coat (1 Coat)

Frame

• Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy

Since you are asking, I would not do the clear gloss on the engine.  The VHT will leave a nice looking finish.

What sheen is the appliance epoxy paint? If you are going for stock, semi-gloss is what you want.

A freshly painted motor looks fantastic, I did my K4 last year and was real pleased with the VHT.  Prep prep prep is the key.

[rocs]

So I have decided on my paint for the engine and the frame. Here goes....

Engine

• VHT Engine Enamel Light Gray Primer (1 coat)

• VHT Engine Enamel Nu-Cast Aluminum (3-4 Coats)

• (Possibly, Would like some opinions on this) VHT Engine Enamel Gloss Clear Coat (1 Coat)

Frame

• Rustoleum Appliance Epoxy

Since you are asking, I would not do the clear gloss on the engine.  The VHT will leave a nice looking finish.

What sheen is the appliance epoxy paint? If you are going for stock, semi-gloss is what you want.

A freshly painted motor looks fantastic, I did my K4 last year and was real pleased with the VHT.  Prep prep prep is the key.

Thanks. Ive been at the engine for a few different days already getting all the gunk off it. I have been using mineral oil as a degreaser and will use some brake cleaner as the last step before drying it and primer.

I already ordered the clear so I will use it to coat the nuts and bolts to protect it after polishing.

The appliance Epoxy is a gloss black. I have seen it used and was happy with the results.

[rocs]

Small update:

So I got the engine prepped and painted this weekend. I premiered it with VHT high temp primer and used a heat gun to help "bake" it. I followed the same steps with the final coat as well. Ill be adding an additional cast aluminum coat this week. Heres a couple pics.

[rocs]

I also finished stripping the old original frame paint off. I got a full coat of primer on it and will let it cure for a day before a final coat of primer. Afterwards, ill start putting on some appliance epoxy paint. Thanks @67camaro for the idea.

[rocs]

Getting everything ready for install and also a picture of the engine installed.





Frame was primed and painted with Appliance Epoxy. I also cleaned all the other parts such as battery holder, ignition bracket, electronics board and speedo brackets and primed and painted with the same appliance epoxy.

The engine was prepped and painted with VHT cast Aluminum paint. Everything has been coming out great. I am using all of the original nuts and bolts. Just polishing them up and clear coating to prevent rusting.

[Restoration Fan]

Looks beautiful.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Excellent job with the paint.   

[rocs]

Thanks!

Anyone have any ideas on rewrapping my wiring harness?

[rocs]

So I am slowing making progress. I keep wanting to paint every little piece before I put it back on the bike. Right now I want to paint the following parts and wanted to know what everyone else was using for the paint.

The speedometer gauges
Headlight bucket
brake caliper

Thanks!

[Stev-o]

I use satin sheen auto caliper paint, get it at your local auto parts store. 

[rocs]

Thanks Stev-o

What would you recommend for the control switches? I bought a new right hand controls switch but need to paint my left to match now,

[Stev-o]

Thanks Stev-o

What would you recommend for the control switches? I bought a new right hand controls switch but need to paint my left to match now,

That's a tough one I'm in the same boat with my 550. Bought a new Honda R control (made in China, that pissed me off) but a new L is not available and will not match.  I believe they were anodized so paint won't match. I've seen some nice powder coated controls.