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Cleaning & Restoration of metal parts

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philipbarrett

philipbarrett

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Restoration & clean up of the CB400F begins. Any suggestions on how to remove this pitting?

IMG_2441-L.jpg
 
Maybe some very fine steal wool might work. Never restored forks before other than seals and oil. Cannot really tell how deep the marks are in the picture. Than maybe some polishing with polishing compound might help.
 
That pitting looks pretty deep, you will have to take some metal off to get rid of it. Are you going to disassemble them?

And may this will save you.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuw-avYzYzw"]Restore Motorcycle Fork Tubes with Cycle Care Formula M • Shop J&P Cycles - YouTube[/ame]
 
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Desert Skies said:
That pitting looks pretty deep, you will have to take some metal off to get rid of it. Are you going to disassemble them?

And may this will save you.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I ordered some. I am doing a partial disassembly of the bike but not a complete strip down as it starts & rides nicely.
 
I really don't mind a vintage bike looking its age. It tells a story. Just getting them back on the road is a major accomplishment, few try.

Did you put in new seals?

Didn't you buy a C70 last year?

Really nice shine.
 
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SL350 said:
I really don't mind a vintage bike looking its age. It tells a story. Just getting them back on the road is a major accomplishment, few try.

Did you put in new seals?

Didn't you buy a C70 last year?

Really nice shine.
Click to expand...

Thanks all :)

No new seals as there isn't even the slightest hint of a leak from the old ones. As with much of this bike, it's amazing how Honda's QC has held up so well. Right now I'd pay someone to clean spokes for me though, I'm about 8 hours into the front wheel!

I sold the C70 to a TWT'r who was looking for one to restore, too many projects going.
 
Lots of guys buy spokes and just replace them but it is a bit of an art. Not expensive, just time consuming. I don't know how to clean spokes but maybe the easiest way is with a rag and some Marvel Mystery oil. Maybe not. I did that on some rims and it looked great but was a dust magnet.
 
The stuff Desert Skies recommended (Cycle Care Formulas Formula M) works great with some steel wool & massive dollops of patience.
 
philipbarrett said:
The stuff Desert Skies recommended (Cycle Care Formulas Formula M) works great with some steel wool & massive dollops of patience.
Click to expand...

My late father in law said something that sticks with me today. When looking for some 10" spoke wheel for a vintage RC airplane I was building, he said, "Why not build them?" I whined about how how long that was going to take and his reply was, "Well, it is your hobby isn't it?"

His point, if it's worth doing, why not put in the time effort to get the end results you will be happy with...
 
Desert Skies said:
I whined about how how long that was going to take and his reply was, "Well, it is your hobby isn't it?"

His point, if it's worth doing, why not put in the time effort to get the end results you will be happy with...
Click to expand...

Wise words, it's not as if I need to ride the bike to work tomorrow.
 
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