Polished Aluminum Engine?

[TXRider60]

When (Boxers by) Bruce worked on my R65, his last comment was for me to "sand off the silver paint" on the sides and front of the engine... What he didnt know is that I had tried to disguise the blue touches added by the demented previous owner.  I've now noticed a guy on eBay whose thing is polishing those three components until they look downright chrome-like... Has anyone ever had experience with having these components polished-- and how would maintenance be?   :-/

[steve hawkins]

Don't do it.  Its a lot of work and you will be forever polishing to try and keep it that way.  

Then the 'back to standard' guys wont touch it either.

Personally I don't like it.  And I like polished metal.

The finish of the engine is designed to be that way.  Hoewever I am in favour of a clean engine.

The Bike is for riding.

Steve Hawkins

[dav]

It all depends how you like to spend your weekends, riding or polishing. It will drive you nuts to keep it in tip top shape.

But its all up to you mate

[Bob_Roller]

Alloyed aluminum tries it's best to revert back to aluminum oxide when exposed to the atmosphere .

Only pure aluminum will  at least not oxidize, or tarnish at an accelerated rate like alloys will .

Ask American Airlines, how much labor is required to keep their bare skinned aircraft fleet looking so good .

[TXRider60]

I've got the idea-- polishing 'ingests'... And the silver paint will have to go, as well.  Input appreciated!

[Barry]

British bikes had lots of high quality polished alloy, I liked that and didn't mind a bit of polishing. Jap alloy was crap so they lacquered their's which was always a disaster in the end once the moisture got under it.

I wouldn't polish the sandcast bits but admit to being a little disappointed that I've only got the Bings flat tops to buff up to a nice shine.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Tx_Burt, if your engine has been painted, and you are having a hard time getting it back to it's natural state, you may need to have the parts blasted with some kind of media.  Soda or walnut or maybe glass beads.  I'm no expert.  Ask someone who knows.  I am fortunate to have a blasting business within a few miles of me.

[montmil]

...admit to being a little disappointed that I've only got the Bings flat tops to buff up to a nice shine.

 OK, Barry! After overhauling the 32mike-mikes on the '81 R65, I was so pleased with their new performance that I took the carbs tops to the buffing wheel. Shiny! Me likey. But that's it for polishing.

Monte

[Aristotle]

There is a product that I use occasionally to polish the aluminum wheels. It's called BLUEMAGIC Metal Polish Cream. It states on the cover it's made for chrome, alluminum, and Mag wheels.

Apparantly, it comes down from the states called BlueMagic, INC.

I have tried it and I can say that it does work well in improving the look.