I've got a survivor 1975 CB750K5 that is mechanically in excellent condition after a complete engine rebuild, harness replacement, etc. But I've got some chips in the tank paint with some rust, and significant surface rust on the frame. I've replaced the side panels with ones from Yamiya which look great even though the new panels don't match the 40 year old Planet Blue Metallic on the tank.
I've toyed with the idea of painting the tank, and I might still do it. I could paint the frame but that means removing the engine, and I don't have a garage at the moment. I think what I'd like to do is preserve it as it is, if I could, stopping the rust from progressing. I was thinking about sanding the rusty parts and applying some boiled linseed oil over the bare patches. This is probably okay on the frame, but what about the tank? What are my options for preserving it as it is?
I'm not opposed to repainting the swingarm necessarily, and I'll have to rechrome the headers at some point too. But I do like the idea of aging gracefully in general.