So, much less of an update than I would have hoped. I've basically done more part cleanup, painting, and sourcing new stuff. I do, however, have a few more questions...
Given the condition of all of the aluminum parts on the bike (i.e., corroded but not pitted), I did some calling around to some different polishing shops in town, and the lowest quote was $600 (+/- $50) to have all the aluminum engine parts and the hubs done. However, the polishers said it would be best for me to remove the bearings before giving them the parts, as they'd likely end up effed up, and having them replaced afterwards could mar the polishing.
On the way home, since I had the parts with me, I stopped by a local bike shop who said it would be ~$25 to have the front and rear bearings removed, but that some of the parts (especially the front hub seal retainer) would end up a little mangled. They asked why I wanted to remove them, and I told them that it was because I'd just been at a polishers', whereupon they asked me why I was going to have them polished (I believe the actual phrasing was "Why would you do
that? Do you have a friend who is a polisher?"). The mechanic also said that the bearings were in great shape, and it would be a waste of money and time to replace them. They suggested covering them with duct tape to protect them, and not having those areas polished -if I go that route- as no one will see them anyway.
The long and the short of it is, since I'm going for as nice a bike with as low a budget as I can (done uni, no job as of yet), I'm torn between having the parts polished, then clear powdercoated, or clear anodized, (which can apparently be done with a home kit), or just having a go at them with a brass-bristled brush on a bench grinder, a Mothers' power ball, and polishing cream. Unfortunately, for the moment, the bike will likely spend more time outside and I'm concerned about the upkeep of the aluminum, regardless of whether it's polished or not.
My goal is to have a bike that looks good/cared for, yet has (relatively) minimal upkeep. I'm not against cleaning/polishing periodically with something like Never Dull, and even removing the aluminum bits to be stored inside at the end of the season. I'm wondering what the best route to take is, as I want to keep costs down yet not have to redo work later down the road. For instance, I certainly don't want to leave the hubs as is, and lace them into a new rim with new stainless spokes, knowing that I should've done
something while I had the chance.
On another front, I also went through the parts list/diagrams I found on this site, and made a listing of all of the fastener sizes/types, and dropped it off at a shop that specializes in exactly that. I'd like to go with stainless steel bolts everywhere I can, while treating the threads with an anti-seizing compound to avoid them binding in somewhat permanently. Is this a bad idea in some areas? Why? I've read enough to realize that this is can-of-worms territory (as well as polishing - and oil, but I haven't got there yet!) None of the bolts I've come across have had any strength markings, and I've read here that stainless steel has a lower strength/can be more brittle.
The shop was unable to get everything together for me by closing - apparently the guy who told me it would be no problem, and didn't realize how much time a list of my magnitude would take
- and are now closed for the long weekend. I had hoped that I could at least get the engine mounting bolts so that I could the engine back in the frame and start installing all my painstakingly painted and cleaned parts. No such luck... I'm starting to realize that maybe I set myself a bit of an unattainable goal for the time frame I've got over here, but I am glad that I got a lot more stuff done here than I would've been able to do at home!.
Finally, I'm thinking of trying to get my hands on a full gasket set, likely from Vesrah. Has anyone used them? Is it indeed a 'full' set, including stuff like the shifter seal, kick starter seal, etc. or is it just the major engine stuff?
Wow, a huge picture less post and a ton of questions!
