Sprucing up the old R65...

[Adrian]

Hi Burt - yep I'm planning on rubbing carefully that area to reveal shiny alloy. Even though the paint is baked I'm leaving it foir a while to make sure its hard as before tackling the task.
Hi Dave - the first thing is to strip off the old paint. I use a Selley's Quik Strip and a brush. Its powerful stuff - it'll start to burn your skin the moment it makes contact so rubber gloves and all that is needed. Once free of paint I acid clean with an auto acid cleaner thats really good and can be watered down to reduce he power - highly recommeended. I use ChemTech Blitz Aluminium Cleaner with water mix 50%. I spray it on and leave it soaking for a while, brushing it over every few minutes to agitate the surface. I might do that a couple of times.
All these clean up, prime and spray processes take a long time - each batch of parts can take up to 4 weeks to go from old to new but the results seem worth it. I always have something at each stage so i work a little at a time in a sort of "production line" fashion. In between I pull bits of the bike if I feel well enough while I'm waiting for one process or another to progress.
So there you are - long answer to a short question lol. Such is my way. I hope Dave that your resto is going well. I shall be interested to hear about your wheels being powder coated. I'm having the tank and frame dome professionally so I'm interested now in having the wheels done as well- depending on your results.
Have a great day guys ............. Adrian

[Dave 2]

Hi Adrian, I went through a similar process without the paint stripper etc. on the fork sliders, rear drive and the Bean Can Breast Plate. The paint stripper I used on the black cases/covers was not strong enough so I just ended up sanding them with wet/dry paper (150,220,350,600 grits) and I'm hoping that they will paint up OK. I'll post a picture later to show them. I don't expect to get my powder coated wheels and frame back for another 2 months . Meantime I'm working on cleaning up the engine. As you say it goes a little at a time. I try to do something most days. I think my painted parts will be ready in a week or two [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] Beswt to all of you. D2  P.S. the beautiful young woman with me in my photo is my daughter, Emma. The occasion was my step-daughter's Maija's, wedding.

[Adrian]

Hello guys - interesting to see how everyone's resto is proceeding along. Mine is still very slow but a little every day. I'm still stripping paint and cleaning up and respraying at the moment.
I need some advice please. I've pulled apart my brake calliper (Brembo) and I want to remove the pistons without damaging them. My Haynes says to blow them out with compressed air but I'm wondering if I can remove them another way. I don't have a compressor although any excuse to buy one frankly (lol lol) I'm replacing all the seals of course so it doesn't matter if I destroy those in the process.
Thanks for any help ...... Adrian

[montmil]

I was going to suggest pumping the brake lever to move the pistons out but then re-read that you've pulled apart the Brembo... Have you a mate nearby with a compressor? A frosty Fosters might pay for a few minutes of air time. [smiley=beerchug.gif]

[Burt]

Adrian,  

If you use a dusting pistol off the compressor you just need to press and release (straight away) the trigger till the piston pops out.  Just make sure you use a rag to catch the piston when all the muck flies out.  Better still place it all in a plastic bag or wear a rubber glove.  If you wear safety glasses you won't have to worry about any splatter (Sorry for throwing in the OH&S disclaimer  [smiley=cheesy.gif]).  

This was the way we used to do it on small aeroplanes from Mr Piper, etc when I was grafting for a living.  

Cheerio, Burt.  

[Adrian]

Thanks Burt - I like the idea of using a bag to catch all the bits. I'll pop up to my local servo and try the tyre inflation airline and see how that works. Cheers ... Adrian .............................

[Adrian]

Hello once again - it's been a while since I posted anything but the rsto goes on if but slowly. I finally have the old girl totally disassembled with some parts resprayed but much more wor to do as yet. Now I'm into findoing a paint shop to redo the frame, tank, subframe, front mudguard and a polisher to repolish my stainless steel Staitune exhaust. And much much more 
Attached is a photo of the latest problems I have encountered. Does anyone have a method to easily remove firstly ther bearings and secondly the push rod tubes. I would be very grateful for any advice as I don't want to cause any damage to the tubes or any surfaces.
Hope everyone is well and enjoying their bikes .......... 

[Adrian]

Hi again - thought you might be interested in seeing the gradual strip down photos and just how sad the old girl looks att he moment.

[Adrian]

PIks part 2 .......

[Adrian]

And finally part 3 .............

[Dave 2]

Hi Adrian,
I just noticed your new posting with your current pictures. You have really done a lot of work I know for me at times when everything was apart and in various states of refurbishing I would get somewhat doubtful that I could get it back together again. But now that the frame and painted pieces are back I'm psyched to be getting on with the challenges. I don't have the problem of  CFS which slows you down so much.

The push rod tubes on my 83 are welded on to the cylinders and therefore do not come off. It made getting them clean and buff a little awkward but they came out ok [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] Best wishes and thanks for all the great pics of your progress. D2

[montmil]

... The push rod tubes on my 83 are welded on to the cylinders and therefore do not come off...

 :oReally? Gotta be a story there. Spill it, Double Dave.

[Dave 2]

Really? Gotta be a story there. Spill it, Double Dave.

Once again I think your wit has overflown my numb skull. What have I missed???D2

[montmil]

Really? Gotta be a story there. Spill it, Double Dave.

Once again I think your wit has overflown my numb skull. What have I missed???D2

Push rod tubes are removable. The parts are listed in the fiche catalogs and BMW sells bunches of them. You stated, D2, that your push rod tubes are, "welded on to the heads and therefore do not come off."

Are the tubes actually welded to the heads or do you mean they are well stuck, as in welded on? Da Snowbum has extensive information on the care, feeding and replacement of the push rod tubes.

Overflowing wit and numb skull all in one sentence. We Be Luftkophs!

[Dave 2]

Not only are we Luftkophs, but my brew must have been mixed with brake cleaner. [smiley=mad.gif] I could have sworn those suckers had a weld bead around the base. those 10 hours in the glass bead cabinet must have made them disappear,because they are gone now Thanks for the correct informationD2