Grump made me do it...

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:57 pm

A while back Grump did me a big favor and sent me some free spare parts that I needed. After I got them, I told him that I owed him some serious favors. A while later, he contacted me about refinishing some covers for his CB450T Hawk. I told him to send them along not knowing what I was getting myself into. Here's the clutch cover:

I had never done a two tone chrome/black combination like this before, so I knew I had my work cut out for me. The sprocket cover was similar. The only easy one was the valve cover, which only needed the chrome finish.

For anyone interested in seeing how this is done, here's what the process looks like from start to finish. First, the parts are degreased, blasted, washed, and outgassed in the over. Then the chrome finish gets applied to the circular area. The overspray is a non-issue since it will be covered by the gloss black finish.

After curing and cooling, the black gets applied next. This is where it gets tricky - the black powder has to be removed from the areas that want to remain chrome. And no, masking isn't really a good option for a number of reasons. Like I did with the Comstars, I used a damp fingertip and several wet sponges to carefully remove the powder. It took close to an hour just to do this, since I goofed a couple times and had t reshoot the black.

Ready for the second pass through the oven...

Finally, both covers got a super high gloss clearcoat which was mainly to protect the chrome finish and prevent tarnishing. Remember the clutch cover up top? Here it is all done:

And the whole batch, ready to send back:

So thanks, Grump, for pushing me beyond the boundaries with a new challenge. Make sure to show us pics of your bike when it's done.

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:23 pm

excellent work Tom. Those covers look fantastic!

Posted: Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:05 pm

Speechless.......hats off to you sir, job well done!

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 1:38 am

I am speechless, Tom........ almost. Thank you. Simple but from the heart.m

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:03 am

Wow, sweetness... Shocked

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 2:44 am

I do so appreciate well done bling !!
Beautiful work.
Phil

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:47 am

Not only is the work incredible, but more important is a promise made and a promise kept. Shows what an upstanding person you are.

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:17 am

You're an artist Tom, well done.

Chico

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 7:19 am

Wow, awesome!

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 12:54 am

When I read the title of this thread it was only with great trepidation that I opened it.

Then was surprised to see some magnificent powder coating. Great job Tom. I just wish you lived a lot closer so that mailing costs were not so high.

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 1:23 am

thx113 wrote:

When I read the title of this thread it was only with great trepidation that I opened it.

Then was surprised to see some magnificent powder coating. Great job Tom. I just wish you lived a lot closer so that mailing costs were not so high.

Thanks Jeff. I wished you (and a bunch of the guys here) lived closer just so that we could ride, work on bikes, and hang out together. Of course our wives and girlfriends would probably leave us, but that's to be expected. Wink

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:21 am

tomk1960 wrote:

thx113 wrote:

When I read the title of this thread it was only with great trepidation that I opened it.

Then was surprised to see some magnificent powder coating. Great job Tom. I just wish you lived a lot closer so that mailing costs were not so high.

Thanks Jeff. I wished you (and a bunch of the guys here) lived closer just so that we could ride, work on bikes, and hang out together. Of course our wives and girlfriends would probably
leave us, but that's to be expected. Wink

I am sure we would do just that - but only in moderation, at least just short of her leaving me.

When he comes down to talk bikes or work on his (he has few workshop quality tools), it is as though my wife thinks that a couple of hours working on the BMW and drinking cups of tea (can't stand beer and if I drink anything else during the day I go to sleep), will somehow be the cause of the end of the world or something similar.

The basic problem is that from a female (in general) perspective, a motor vehicle is just something you get into/onto and drive. Even putting fuel in is something done grudgingly. I don't think she understands how anyone could get any satisfaction or enjoyment from working on a car or bike. Of course for her all the maintenance and servicing of her Mazda 6 is invisible and effortless.

I'm off this Saturday for a cross Australia ride (5000+km in 7.5 days) and my wife is not exactly over the moon about it. I have a mate up the road (2 blocks away) who has an R80 and F800ST.

Posted: Mon Sep 02, 2013 5:20 pm

That looks great Tom! I can't wait to send you a box of 1100F parts.

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 4:52 pm

Tom,

Awesome as usual!

Is Grump prepared to do the rest of the bike that way as well? Can't just have nice covers! Gotta do the whole thing!

Scott

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 6:02 pm

sbparks wrote:

Tom,

Awesome as usual!

Is Grump prepared to do the rest of the bike that way as well? Can't just have nice covers! Gotta do the whole thing!

Scott

New decal received a couple of weeks ago, some NEW body panels, new tires, original frame, mufflers, shocks etc spiffed and left stock as the liitle bit has only 9 k+ true miles on her, head pipes are difficult but found a set that will look very good once polished but will require me to supply yearly care. This one will remain as near stock as possible Scott but this will be the ONLY one!!! lol. I hope all is well with you and yours. m