New Member from East Yorkshire

[paulr5604]

Thanks again everyone. I made a start at the weekend by taking off the headlight fairing, headlight and headlight brackets I have wet sanded all the cracked paint off of the headlight fairing (not sure I will put this back on yet). I have also wet sanded on of the headlight brackets working my way up from 400 to 1500 grit. I need to do the same with the other one and then polish them up. My plan is to clean things up as I remove them.

My first question, I believe the downpipes are the originals and I'm wondering about the best way to clean them up I was thinking about wet sanding and then polishing. Is this the best way or does anyone know of a better way.

Here is a picture of it from a couple of years ago in my old garage (My new garage is much tidier than this)

[seth]

To clean the worst of the crud off the downpipes use harpic black x10 cleaner (don't get this on any painted area's) put it on with a hard brush leave 5-10mins then wash off well.
Then polish with metal polish
This should bring them up to a good finish with no hard scrubbing or sanding .
See these threads
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3858.0
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=2406.0

[paulr5604]

To clean the worst of the crud off the downpipes use harpic black x10 cleaner (don't get this on any painted area's) put it on with a hard brush leave 5-10mins then wash off well.
Then polish with metal polish
This should bring them up to a good finish with no hard scrubbing or sanding .
See these threads
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3858.0
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=2406.0

Thanks very much will give it a try

[KiwiCol]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

[Sir Prancelot]

WELOME to the Forum.

Good luck with the project.

[Mick_J]

Welcome to the forum paulr5604. 

[paulr5604]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

Sorry what do you mean by blacks the paint on this bike is dark blue or do you mean something different

[Basil Brush]

To clean the worst of the crud off the downpipes use harpic black x10 cleaner (don't get this on any painted area's) put it on with a hard brush leave 5-10mins then wash off well.
Then polish with metal polish
This should bring them up to a good finish with no hard scrubbing or sanding .
See these threads
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=3858.0
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=2406.0

Whoooaaaa.... if those pipes are the OEM chrome headers. Try on a very descrete area first. Harpic 10 does wonders for stainless - I know. Dunno how chrome would go on tho. If it's hard rust (usually on 2/3) pots. It's a bugger  to shift.

I replaced with stainless. Then got pissed off with the look. So dug deep and went OEM again.

Thanks very much will give it a try

[KiwiCol]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

Sorry what do you mean by blacks the paint on this bike is dark blue or do you mean something different

It is too, my mistake. changed the angle of the laptop & can see it's dark blue.

[Red Biker]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

I concur with the right honourable Kiwi that Black is indeed the peoples choice, so rather than clean those downpipes you should spray them Black,
you only need to do it once and they always look perfect after a quick wipe 

Welcome by the way 

[Red Biker]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

Sorry what do you mean by blacks the paint on this bike is dark blue or do you mean something different

It is too, my mistake. changed the angle of the laptop & can see it's dark blue.

Damn! 

[paulr5604]

Paul, you do realise Blacks are worth heaps more money don't you?  If you really want a Blue & White, fix the black up, sell it buy a Blue & white & keep the change. 


For independent confirmation on the worth of the Blacks, just PM Red Biker.

  @Red Biker

Sorry what do you mean by blacks the paint on this bike is dark blue or do you mean something different

It is too, my mistake. changed the angle of the laptop & can see it's dark blue.

No problem I think I have decided to just wet sand the existing paint and then use some cutting compound and polish to bring it back to life for now and then decide at a later date whether I want to change the colour

[Kiwifruit]

Welcome Paul.
Am sure the rebuild of your dads bike will be most rewarding. Best of luck 

[paulr5604]

Welcome Paul.
Am sure the rebuild of your dads bike will be most rewarding. Best of luck 

Thank you

[paulr5604]

Well work has begun
Before and after