Topic: Honda CB750 valve cover dilemma

[MauiK3]

Buffing is somewhat tedious but it's sort of a meditation. I assembled a few tools to help me. I got a set of tiny buffing wheels for a small grinder like a Dremel tool, some mounted buffing wheels for a 6" bench grinder and a slightly smaller buffer my wife used for jewelry. I also bought some scotch bright type mounted wheels in different roughness. All in all, quite a few hours but it worked out.

[kyle750]

^ ^ ^ Love the Setup ^ ^ ^   Very nice equipment and well organized work area.  I am envious as I would love to take those machines for a spin.  It really does look like good fun and I could see how the polishing and buffing would be relaxing and meditative.  Seeing the transformation from rough dull aluminum to polished must be very enjoyable and rewarding.  Thanks for posting the photo!

[Stev-o]

4.  Chrome plated
  Aluminum is a wonderful metal  - why cover it up with chrome? 

Back in the day when plating was very popular and inexpensive, guys would chrome everything!

But, "Chrome won't get you Home"!

[kyle750]

But, "Chrome won't get you Home"!

A good adage and reminder to set priorities.    Today I worked on ensuring the mechanical reliability of the front brakes rather than the finish of a valve cover  Thanks!

[MauiK3]

Thank you, behind the piece of cardboard is a window, I have a fan in it that creates a flow to the outside, helps with whatever is in the air. I usually sand small wood projects on that table, handy to have additional protection and keep the general work area a little cleaner.

[Mikey G.]

There's a LOT of jobs on these bikes I dread, I put off, and I avoid at all costs.  By contrast, buffing and polishing parts is downright therapeutic.  I found an old cheap bench grinder, put two wheels on it (hard and soft), then run a rough polishing compound on one, a fine compound on the other, and go to town.  It doesn't take much to make parts look really good, and aluminum parts without clear will hold up quite nicely for a number of years before needing addressed.

My advice?  Grab a cheap decent valve cover, sand off the clear coat, and buff it to as shiny a finish as you want.  Pretty soon you'll be polishing every piece of aluminum you have.   

[Don R]

 I took a few CB750 pieces to have the chrome removed at the shop that probably did them to begin with. The owner said that he tries to discourage the Harley guys that come in from chroming their aluminum, probably because he opened a polishing shop in their old competitors building across the street.
 He will do it if they insist.

[kyle750]

But, "Chrome won't get you Home"!

This comment has been a wake up call for me 

There's a LOT of jobs on these bikes I dread, I put off, and I avoid at all costs. 

Another wake up call and very true with me.  I am not mechanically inclined (but learning) so it's much easier for me to work on the cosmetics.  If the bike is not up and running well then the look of the valve cover has no meaning and serves no purpose. 

A real eye-opener and perhaps poking the bear has awakened my slumber! Thank You Gentlemen!

[M 750K6]

I had no choice, this is how mine came, leaked like a sieve:

[M 750K6]

Not a great shot, but all fixed with an eBay replacement. I bought a buffing wheel which I bolted onto my bench grinder and finished by hand. I enjoy polishing it every couple of months.

[kyle750]

^ ^ ^ Beautiful Work ^ ^ ^  Without a good seal a replacement valve cover was a mechanical neccesity and not a cosmetic option. Going to the additional effort of buffing the cover and making it look nice is an extra special bonus. It turned out looking fantastic  An excellent balance between working well and looking good.   

[Kelly E]

Instead of sanding off the original clear coat I strip it with old brake fluid. An overnight soak and the clear coat scrubs right off with an old toothbrush. It saves a bunch of elbow grease and sandpaper.