Author Topic: An esthetics issue  (Read 2018 times)

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Offline gregwaits

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An esthetics issue
« on: May 09, 2007, 02:34:48 PM »
In considering what strategy to pursue with this '70 CB450 I bought. I am faced with a dilemma of sorts!

While the original candy gold paint finish is in excellent shape, there is a crease on one side of the tank (see pic). Would I be better served leaving it in there and preserving the original paint, or should I seek out a reputable refinisher that has experience matching up original shades?

I really think that with a considerable amount of elbow grease and a mimimum of expense, this bike could be real special. It really is that clean.

I don't suppose there is a way to pop dents out with metal this thick.

The thought of sandblasting this tank down to bare metal and slapping on bondo brings tears to my eyes!
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Offline merc2dogs

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2007, 03:05:39 PM »
go to a body shop with old guys working there, most of the old guys can get that crease out with minimal paint damage
 younger body guys are taught bondo or replace, and have to learn about real metal finishing from the old guys.

  most likely what will be used is a pipe or bar with a hat on it, kind of like bolting a washer to the end of a bolt, though thicker and with rounded edges worked through the filler.

 that will provide the most advantage to gettin it 'restored'

 damage is something that sticks out, a repair with carefull paint match can easily be invisible.

 my bike has dents in the tank, but no creases, so they don't jump out at you so I leave them, if they were like yours, (especially where mine are) I'd fix it, or have it fixed.

 real question is, is it eye catching, do you run into friends who say "I saw you on the freeway today riding your new bike, man what happened to the tank?"  or do you have friends who know the bike and see it a lot, and one day ask "wow is that a dent?"

 first fix it, second, let it go.
 
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Offline Gordon

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2007, 04:59:23 PM »
Find your local Dent Wizard.  They have the tools and experience required to do paintless dent removal, and I've heard they can do things you never would have thought possible. 

Offline bill440cars

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2007, 07:17:28 PM »


            I'd like to hear more about that myself. I've got a Blue 74' CL450K6 that has some dents in the gas tank and the paint job is still in pretty good shape.

                                                        Later on, Bill :) ;) 
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Offline Gordon

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Offline KB02

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #5 on: May 10, 2007, 04:57:29 AM »
go to a body shop with old guys working there, most of the old guys can get that crease out with minimal paint damage
 younger body guys are taught bondo or replace, and have to learn about real metal finishing from the old guys.

Try to find a shop that actually works on motorcycles, too. When I had a dent in the tank of my Ducati, the $1000 purchase price for a new one was kinda scary, so I started asking around at different body shops. I basically got two answers: 1.) We don't work on motorcycles, and 2.) You best bet is trying your dealer to get the parts. Apparently the metal on a motorcycle is so extraordinarily different from that which you will find a car, it scares them away from getting money. Finally a co-worker suggested a local place, Ray's autobody. When I told him what my experiences had been he said, "Yeah, but Ray's actually works on bike."
   In the end he wasn't able to fix the tank, but only because the dent was so big and in a place that all his weird shaped picks and prongs couldn't reach. But he did spend about and hour trying to get them in there.
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Offline ProTeal55

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #6 on: May 10, 2007, 08:49:57 AM »
My cb450 tank has a few scratches and one small dent on the right side, but overall it is in decent shape for it's age. I was gonna strip it down and paint it, but I thought it is only original once, so I left it..
« Last Edit: May 10, 2007, 12:13:35 PM by ProTeal55 »
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Offline greenjeans

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #7 on: May 10, 2007, 11:48:02 AM »
If you can find a dentless repair place....  I think they could actually get to that dent.  The filler neck & the frame tunnel prevent most of their tools from working...(getting them in the tank)   I had some pretty bad hail damage that was repaired beyond belief.   Call around or better yet, get some addresses and show up with some cash.... probably wouldn't take them a half hour...  Maybe 25-50 bucks.... worth a shot - definitely cheaper than a repaint.  Touch-ups, especially with older metallic paints are almost impossible to match perfectly.    You'd be suprised what they can get out without screwing up the paint.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2007, 11:49:55 AM by greenjeans »
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Offline cadler

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Re: An esthetics issue
« Reply #8 on: May 11, 2007, 08:18:57 AM »
I had a dent like that and got it out with one of those dent pullers from pepboys, It cost 20 bucks and took 3 or 4 tries but the dent came out