Topic: 350F (budget) build

[fmctm1sw]

Well, it's a start.  A bare frame and a garage full of parts.  Nothing that is really going to turn this into a show bike but I'm hoping it looks nice when I'm done.  I'm starting with the frame.  I picked up a quart of Interlux Brightside polyurethane paint today along with the #333 thinner and some MEK to wipe everything down for prep.  Not cheap, that paint was $40 a quart and the total was $80, picked it up at Westside Marine.  

The frame itself had more rust on it than I thought.  I was hoping to rough it up with some 500 grit or so sandpaper and paint right over it.  I went at the frame with a wire brush when I realized the sandpaper idea was probably going to put my arm in a sling before I got the frame stripped.  I made good progress at first but my arm tired again, I'm about to go pick up some aircraft stripper and try to gum up the paint and wipe it of.  What surprised me was my (manual) paint stripper.  It made quick work of the (pillion post?) part of the frame.

[fmctm1sw]

And now for the bad news.  Rust holes in the edges of the post where the centerstand mounts.  And I noticed that the weld where the kickstand is appears to have separated, you have to look real close.

[joec3613]

You may need to to do some welding on the frame. Sandblasting is probably a good place to start. Check all the welds and weld it up. Sanding the frame is a lot of manual labor. One thing at a time. Good luck.

[traveler]

Welcome!

YOU NEED TO SANDBLAST THE FRAME!

At that point, the welds need to be looked over, and if any appear to be compromised, have a welder grind them out and re-weld them.  Any pin-holes can also be welded up.

Next, don't paint the frame, HAVE IT POWDERCOATED.

The frame SHOULD be able to be salvaged...but the old girl has been exposed to Pensacola coastal salt air, so it's gonna take some work.

~Joe

[SHORTROUND]

The two holes are drain holes. You can use a wire wheel to strip the paint but sad blasting is the way to go.  I have painted and powdercoated frames, the only paint to use on the frame is urethane. No laquer because gas and grease dissolve it. apliance epoxy belongs in the kitchen not the garage 

[fmctm1sw]

Sound advice, thanks.  There are definitely areas that my brush is not going to get effectively.  I'm making progress and I'll just slow it down and be careful about it, it's not a race.  I'm not enthused about the two holes drilled in the rear of the frame though.  I've read all the powdercoat vs. paint threads and I think I'm going to stick with the paint.  I'll talk to the guy that does cylinder head work here and see if he knows a welder to make sure the frame is OK.

[traveler]

smart move.  The frame is what is gonna save you.

~Joe

[fmctm1sw]

Couple more progress photos...  That aircraft stripper works well.  I was able to scrape off long strings of paint.  I'll defintely need a game plan for getting the small spaces on the frame.  I'll see if the base has a sandblast booth but I'm worried the frame might be too big to fit.  Have a guy that's going to look at the frame for me too...

[Gnat]

My frame doesn't look as good as that. But I'm fairly sure I'm sending it out to be blasted. Don't think I could take all the scraping for hours on end. I'm very impressed with the result you have, however, i'd find something to get rid of the rust completely although yours is minor. Before I painted...if you don't the paint will come off.

I am all for your decision not to powdercoat. YES, its the cats meow, Yes it lasts forever, Yes it looks good, No it doesn't chip and wears like nails.......but the original was painted. And todays paints are a sight better than those of old..so go for it.

Gnat

[Tim in Ohio]

Just wanted to drop in and say I'm watching... I think I'll tear mine down to the frame and get her prettied up too.   Just curious... what is it that led you to choose paint over powdercoat on the frame?

[fmctm1sw]

Just wanted to drop in and say I'm watching... I think I'll tear mine down to the frame and get her prettied up too.   Just curious... what is it that led you to choose paint over powdercoat on the frame?

Cost really.  Plus I think the only guy around is in Mobile, about an hour away.  I've spent a lot of money recently on stuff for this and my 175.  Fender, forks, etc, etc.  Plus I just picked up a Harbor Freight tire changer and an air compressor too.  I read through all the threads that discussed using Interlux paint and I felt it was a good option.  It ain't cheap though.  I bought a quart of paint, #333 thinner and a quart of MEK and was out $80. 

Gnat, I'm hoping to use a blast booth somewhere too.  I'm trying to get the large areas done to minimize the time I need but I was surprised really at how effective the wire brush and stripper was.  It also helped changing the direction on the wire brush too.  I can't believe it took me two days to figure that out    Perhaps sandpaper and wipe down with MEK in the interim.  I haven't wiped it down at all yet.