Topic: Engine finishing, cosmetics question

[laran]

Lots of people paint. I personally don't love the idea of painting the motor. I like the look of just raw metal. Seems much more primal to me.

I have a 1983 CB550SC motor, which is mostly black from the factory. Could I just soda-blast the whole motor and leave it like that? That would give the all-metal look wouldn't it? Anyone have any pics of what that might look like?

[harisuluv]

Motors are painted out of the factory, if you want an unpainted look, there are paints that are made to look like the color of aluminum.  The paint will give the engine a uniform color, protect it to some degree, help to cover up imperfections in the metal/casting marks.

You can blast it off and see if you like the look of it, but there might be some oxidation or something that might look unsightly.  If that is the look you are going for though more power to you then.

[rickmoore24]

+1 on that harisuluv. I would paint it, even if its just an "engine case" color. I didn't do it on my project and when I think about it I get a little annoyed at myself.