Bridgestone Motorcycle Parts Discussion Board
Bridgestone Tech Talk => 350 Talk => Topic started by: Kenneth Pagel on August 17, 2017, 03:51:21 PM
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Just wondering if the GTR cylinders are painted or left in a natural state? If so, what's a good match? Thanks in advance!
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The cylinders, heads and crankcase were natural, the carburetor covers, air cleaner housing and the outer fin on each head were polished, but still unpainted. The right side clutch/carburetor housing and left side carburetor & sprocket housings were painted with a silver metallic paint. Someone else may know of an exact match, but I've always used a Dupli-Color GM silver for 80's vans that seems to be a close match.
Someone else may have more exact info, including how to keep the natural aluminum cylinders and heads looking good over time. If you bead blast them to get a new clean look, the surface will eventually deteriorate and lose the "new" look.
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Thanks for the info, OldSwartout. It appears that my cylinders were painted silver or gray. I may do a hi-temp silver/aluminum paint to keep the bare metal from oxidizing. Also wondering if vapor blasting is a good alternative to painting the cylinders? Has anyone else out there painted their cylinders?
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On my RD400, I painted my cylinders with a high temp engine paint. It is just showing signs of starting to flake at the fin ends after 5 years, I preped the cylinders by sand blasting first.
If you were to vapour/bead/soda blast the barrels, the results are good but over time I guess the dirt would inpregnate the Ali and cause blemishes. My experiences are limited, but the carbs I did for my RD400 still look nice.
I Too am Interested in Keeping blasted components clean...Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in?
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My favorite technique for sealing bead blasted parts was shown to me in the late seventies. The problem is that once the bead blasting opens up the pores in the aluminum it will collect fingerprints, dust and anything else near it. Liberally hosing it with WD 40 immediately after blasting seals the pores with what is a clear oil that can be mostly wiped off and also leaves a thin barrier against dirt and grease. This has served me well for many years,and it only darkens the color of the aluminum very slightly initially, but very evenly as well.
I suspect there may be modern clear powder coats that are worth looking into.
Tom
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Thanks everyone for the info!
Ken