Obsession?

[Dave 2]

Hello all and I wish you the best for the New Year [smiley=beerchug.gif]. I find that as I get further into the process of restoring my LS I become increasingly obsessive with every single part. I find myself with the flexible shaft tool polishing every washer and nut and enjoying it completely [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]. I have begun to go back over everything I removed at the beginning of the project because I continue to develop a very critical eye for detail and imperfections. . I guess this is OK but the parts list keeps on expanding as I look more closely at all the parts and find problems. I guess I would say this is an example of our love of these machines, and wanting to have them in a state of repair that works for us. I find that I become increasingly excited about how my "Vision" of the LS will actually work out. But I become increasingly nervous about my ability to pull it off. However I love the process of savoring each part and doing what I can to bring it back to "New". Does this obsession sound familiar to any of you? D2

[nhmaf]

I think that it is easier to fall into this 'trap' during the winter up here when chances to ride are slim (though this winter I could have ridden on Christmas and New Year's eve for the first time in decades - if it were not for having to entertain in-laws at my house).   Once riding season approaches, the desire to get out and ride tempers the fascination with getting every little bit "just so" from a cosmetic perspective..

[Dave 2]

Thanks for the insight, I definitely want it together and running by the beginning of June [smiley=lolk.gif] My plan is to have the frame, wheels, and other misc. pieces to the guy who will do the sand blasting next week. I've bought my POR15 which I will use on all the frame pieces as a base coat. The wheels will get powder coated a semi gloss black to match the frame. I am still looking for someone to paint the tank, battery covers and front fender. I'm thinking about getting a small glass bead blasting set up for various other things that would benefit from that treatment. This is a very good way to chase those cabin fever blues...Other than dreaming about warm Arizona days 8-) D2

[darrylri]

Dave, you need to put your LS back together quickly and buy yourself a /2 project bike.  Your efforts will be much better rewarded and there is endless detail you can be OCD over on the /2s, which will be appreciated by other collectors.  Meanwhile, you can go riding on the LS and not worry about it.

Just trying to be helpful!  

[suecanada]

You'll love that POR-15 chassis coat. It looks great. Almost like powdercoating. LRB's frame still looks pretty good after 7 years. Derek tells me I am obsessive about my bikes...I say passionate! Obsessive means that it upsets your normal life and is a detriment to getting what needs to be done, done. Something that gets you up in the morning with a smile...that's a passion and I'm glad my bikes do that for me...as well as the celtic music piano!! Go for it until it doesn't make you happy anymore...as if!! [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

[Dave 2]

I like what I'm hearing I have been thinking about getting a project bike when I finish my LS, I am having such a good time doing this restoration, except when I'm doubtful that I can put it back together again. However, I know it is not a good idea to entertain that thought for too long. So I your idea Darryl.

Sue I think you are right this is more of a passion, with a touch of OCD at times  I decided on POR15 after reading about NHMAF's and your experience with it. From all I read it is a good product.  I'm thinking I'll use their rattle can semi-gloss black chassis paint over the POR15. I'm trying to safe some money on painting that I can do. Thanks D2

[suecanada]

I'll be very interested to see how you find the rattle can version of POR-15 chassis coat. The wee can takes a bit of discipline in that you need to pour out only what you think you'll be able to use pretty quickly...no putting the can aside open....it skins over quickly and you need to put the lid on right away after decanting what you need in the next session. Do not leave the lid off. The can doesn't store very well but will last 1/2 year with some saran wrap and lid combo. Order some of their solvent when you send in the order. They say it's special but I don't really know if it is that different from the usual turps or paint thinner. But If it is and can keep the can fluid it is well worth it.
If the paint skins over as fast as it does from the can, the rattle can nozzle may get clogged fast but then I suppose they wouldn't offer it for sale if it didn't work??!
One other hint...don't fuss Dave with the paint once it is on....it doesn't take well to trying to be perfect! It seems to meld itself as it sets up to a near perfect surface with no brush marks even though it looked iffy at first. No place for an OCD brush user!!! So I guess with a rattle can you'll have to be extra careful not to spray too much at one time as I think drips would be challenging to fix unless you're really fast! Start somewhere on the frame where it won't show later in order to get a feel for how the paint works. Hope this helps ya!!

[Dave 2]

Hi Sue, I will be brushing the POR15 on. I  bought the "6-Pack" of 4OZ cans hoping that with the small cans I would have less waste. Thank you for your great description of the brushing process and NOT trying to go back to fix that one little spot . I have done a fair amount of varnishing on an old wooden skiff that I have. POR15 may be similar to Varnish because it also doesn't like to be over worked and it levels out well as it dries. 8-) I will be mindful of how quickly POR15 begins to skim over when exposed to air in the can, and will look into their thinner.

The POR literature states that since POR15 reacts with ultra violet light it should have an "overcoat" when it will be exposed to sunlight. They say I need to buy their special primer before I can paint over the POR15. This is why I mentioned spraying on their "Chassis Coat Black" which has a, "Smooth, Satiny, Semi-Gloss Finish". Is this just marketing hype? Did you just use the POR15 or did you apply an overcoat? Any other POR15 users care to comment on what they did??? I really appreciate all your help.D2

[suecanada]

As the bike's frame is so hidden for the most part I did not do any overcoat and really don't remember that it was suggested by the POR-15 people. :-?
If you do fuss, Dave, fuss immediately...no "hmmming" about it! :-/
I was so happy with the results that it was one of those times when you are tempted to just go look at it after your done!
I did the battery tray too, the luggage racks, the engine guards and the licence plate holder. It's all holding up....well the engine guard on one side does have a wee nick.
That's what black magic marker is for isn't it? ;)I did place a piece of thin wood on top of the battery tray so the battery wouldn't disturb my masterpiece.

[Melena]

Good thread.  I will have to paint my frame at some point.  This is good information.

[Dave 2]

OK, I'm on the right track now [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]. I can't imagine why I was concerned about too much ultra violet light in Down East Maine.   . I will start posting some pictures as I get the pieces set up for the POR15. That will be a big milestone. Thanks again for the help. D2

[Ed Miller]

I've used POR15 on a bunch of my pickup stuff (and need to do the frame on my R65 someday, too).  I did have problems with it running sometimes.  I think it's because on the second and third coats I couldn't see if I had coverage and overdid it.  

That stuff is strong.

[k_enn]

POR-15 is great stuff.  I use it on the rock-rails on my 4x4 offroad truck.  When dried, it pretty hard and durable.  Be careful using it --  it is very hard to clean off of anything you don't want it on.  Clean up right away if it gets where it shouldn't.  

The stuff hardens nice.  And don't worry too much about the UV exposure issue.  It may lose some of the gloss, but it still looks good and holds up well.

Like was said above, if you don't use the whole can, be sure to put some plastic wrap over the can top before you put lid back on.  This stuff hardens so hard it is like gluing the lid back on the can.

k_enn

[Dave 2]

Ed and K_enn, Thanks for your posts about using POR15. I guess like Sue said I should get the thinner just in case I do get it where I don't want it I'm still waiting for the replacement part for the swing arm bearing and race puller from CycleWorks. Then I take it all up to Metal Magic in Trenton to have it sand blasted 8-) I'm getting pretty excited. D2

[Crossrodes]

It's also a good idea to refrigerate it if you don't use it all and want to keep it for another project.