I had a really good day today with Pat. My forks were looking like crap and I wanted to clean them up for the rally. Some time ago I stripped off the clear coat and they looked alright. Then weather set in and bugger!!! And my RPM exhaust was abused by my '86 running lean and cooking the SST headers past golden and into brown. Some before images.
My '89 tri-pod
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_32_0.jpeg)
Stuff that needs polish
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_36_1.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_39_2.jpeg)
Pat working on the mid-pipe
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_42_3.jpeg)
Pat took a few pics of me at work learning to polish with his new shop toy.
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_52_6.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_55_7.jpeg)
Now it is time to show some side by side pics...
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_45_4.jpeg)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_7_50_49_5.jpeg)
I should have taken a pic of the massive sandwich Pat's wife made for our lunch. I forgot to take the second half when I left :dash2: :dash2: :dash2:. Pat and his wife were terrific hosts.
And I almost forgot to mention... If you spend time with Pat, he is a "Pusher", not sure about dealer.... He gave me my first sample for free... I have seen this on cop shows...
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_8_50_45.jpeg)
I can't wait to install the RPM system and get it to a nice golden color to fit the '89. Maybe I need to Gold anodize the fork lowers and wheels on this FJ....
Nice results! Always feels good to get things accomplished, even better when you have someone there to encourage you . :good2:
....Shit!....he even wears a brilliant white Shirt, that apparently remains so, throughout the polishing operation!
Most of us Aussies can`t even do that when we eat! (I need an icon that bows down in praise.) :drinks:
Quote from: The General on April 19, 2015, 10:24:01 PM
....Shit!....he even wears a brilliant white Shirt, that apparently remains so, throughout the polishing operation!
Most of us Aussies can`t even do that when we eat! (I need an icon that bows down in praise.) :drinks:
Not exactly brilliant white... His body is hiding the sins, er, reverence to the shine... :blush:
I knew from others in the manufacturing industry that polishing is dirty work. And gritty if you forget to close your mouth during the process...
A most enjoyable day... The shower after getting home was most rewarding...
Doug, trust me, it only looks white from the back...it was the only long sleeved t shirt I have. It was warm today in the desert.
Mark, I really had fun today, thanks for coming out. BTW I ate the other half of your sandwich, it was good.
See if you can get a pict of your forks, they really turned out good.
One fork we did the old school way, progressive wet sand, 320/600/1000/2000 then multi coats of Simichrome. Took about 1.5 hours. I have always (until now) resisted cutting aluminum on a power buffer, always worried about ripples on the soft aluminum.
The second fork Mark did on the buffer. Took about 15 minutes. It turned about great. Mark is a natural.
It was a good day.
Pat, it was good to learn something new and a quicker way to get a good result. Using the back side of the forks was a good test of the power equipment and a happy polished Monkey.... Not sure if that translates well..... :blush:
I will post up pics when I get things assembled and back in running condition...
I want Randy to see his headers polished and warmed up to a nice golden hue...
:good2:
Just been foolin with the wet dry myself. My forks are looking pretty weathered. What rouge did you use? Do you reckon a bench grinder with a cloth buff wheel would work well enough? I've only a little domestic Makita, not as powerful as what I see you used.
Quote from: Troyskie on April 20, 2015, 03:58:17 AM
Just been foolin with the wet dry myself. My forks are looking pretty weathered. What rouge did you use? Do you reckon a bench grinder with a cloth buff wheel would work well enough? I've only a little domestic Makita, not as powerful as what I see you used.
We discovered by testing, that we could use the powered wheel on the aluminum. Pat was originally concerned that the powered wheel was too strong and aggressive and would gouge/ripple the aluminum surface. So we did the first fork by hand as Pat described. Starting with a coarse grit and working up with finer grits with wet sanding. Then a final Sim-chrome polish. Being the lazy ass that I am I wanted to try the sisal cutting wheel (http://www.pjtool.com/sisal-buffing-wheel.aspx (http://www.pjtool.com/sisal-buffing-wheel.aspx)) with the black compound. I tested it on a the inside of the fork leg so if I do mess things up it won't be seen. It worked really well. Then I ventured on to visible parts of the fork and had about 80% done cutting out about an hour or so of manual work. Then I moved over to the rag polishing/buffing wheel with the green compound and that worked equally as well. I am not sure what grit each color is but they come in packs or sold individually. http://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-polishing-kit.aspx (http://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-polishing-kit.aspx)
Looks beautiful Mark ! One nice thing about shiny headers is you can get a "read" on the exhaust temp by visually checking the color at the top end of the pipe. At least all 4 should look the same ? I like your new ride. Here is a link also for polishing information and compounds. http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm (http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm)
George
Quote from: movenon on April 20, 2015, 11:29:54 AM
Looks beautiful Mark ! One nice thing about shiny headers is you can get a "read" on the exhaust temp by visually checking the color at the top end of the pipe. At least all 4 should look the same ? I like your new ride. Here is a link also for polishing information and compounds. http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm (http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm)
George
Excellent web page on polishing and buffing. Regarding pipe color, when Randy saw my RPM headers he pointed out that the much darker (brown) indicated that my '86 is running lean and getting too hot. Now that the pipes are clean and shiny I will see how the '89 runs.
oh , you polishing guys are crazy :wacko3:
Looks great monkey , gonna shine in the sun and blind us all.
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 20, 2015, 08:52:10 AM
We discovered by testing, that we could use the powered wheel on the aluminum. Pat was originally concerned that the powered wheel was too strong and aggressive and would gouge/ripple the aluminum surface. So we did the first fork by hand as Pat described. Starting with a coarse grit and working up with finer grits with wet sanding. Then a final Sim-chrome polish. Being the lazy ass that I am I wanted to try the sisal cutting wheel (http://www.pjtool.com/sisal-buffing-wheel.aspx (http://www.pjtool.com/sisal-buffing-wheel.aspx)) with the black compound. I tested it on a the inside of the fork leg so if I do mess things up it won't be seen. It worked really well. Then I ventured on to visible parts of the fork and had about 80% done cutting out about an hour or so of manual work. Then I moved over to the rag polishing/buffing wheel with the green compound and that worked equally as well. I am not sure what grit each color is but they come in packs or sold individually. http://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-polishing-kit.aspx (http://www.pjtool.com/jewelers-rouge-polishing-kit.aspx)
Good stuff thanks mate.
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 19, 2015, 10:02:26 PM
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/8/104_19_04_15_8_50_45.jpeg)
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 19, 2015, 10:52:16 PM
Using the back side of the forks was a good test of the power equipment and a happy polished Monkey.... Not sure if that translates well..... :blush:
Sure it does! :sarcastic:
Simi-Chrome
Simi = short for "Simian": of or relating to monkeys or apes
Chrome = Very shiny surface, ie: Polished
Therefore, SimiChrome = "Polished Monkey"
Seriously, very nice job on the pipes! :good2:
Looking forward to seeing how the fork lowers turned out.
Quote from: Firehawk068 on April 20, 2015, 02:49:34 PM
Seriously, very nice job on the pipes! :good2:
Looking forward to seeing how the fork lowers turned out.
I will post more pictures when all parts are back on the bike.
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 20, 2015, 12:05:44 PM
Quote from: movenon on April 20, 2015, 11:29:54 AM
Looks beautiful Mark ! One nice thing about shiny headers is you can get a "read" on the exhaust temp by visually checking the color at the top end of the pipe. At least all 4 should look the same ? I like your new ride. Here is a link also for polishing information and compounds. http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm (http://www.caswellplating.com/buffman.htm)
George
Excellent web page on polishing and buffing. Regarding pipe color, when Randy saw my RPM headers he pointed out that the much darker (brown) indicated that my '86 is running lean and getting too hot. Now that the pipes are clean and shiny I will see how the '89 runs.
I can see they were turning a little bluish on the top end. Probably getting good fuel economy :).
George
Quote from: movenon on April 20, 2015, 07:40:40 PM
I can see they were turning a little bluish on the top end. Probably getting good fuel economy :).
George
That drove Steve (Moparman) absolutely nuts... He hated my getting 50MPG while keeping up with him on rides. :lol: :lol: :lol:
The down side, performance loss, my '89 feels much stronger than my '86... :blush:
I can vouch for that more performance ---- pulled on my 90 in roll-on and he never did on the 86....
Quote from: moparman70 on April 20, 2015, 10:26:49 PM
I can vouch for that more performance ---- pulled on my 90 in roll-on and he never did on the 86....
We need to do that again... :blush: The '89 pulls so well and runs like a good FJ, I was in 4th on the slab. After our roll on I was surprised when I shifted into 5th... :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
It was fun pulling away from you like you had peddles instead of an engine....
I expect my 18/38 to give you some advantage when in the same gear and speed....
Well then you are not to lean :). I guess the goal is to see just a little blue tint on the top end of the pipe. "Pipe Dyno" :lol:
George
Wearing PPE with foot stabilizing the polisher. OSHA approved operation there. About that roll on ....As I recall there was an 86 that held it's own . BTW My mileage definitely improved since the addition of RPM exhaust and unipods. RPM messed with my carbs too. I have seen 50 MPG, but after last weeks 300 miler it was about 45. Use to be about 38. Go figure. Polished parts :crazy:
Quote from: Mike 86 in San Dimas on April 21, 2015, 09:45:49 PM
Wearing PPE with foot stabilizing the polisher. OSHA approved operation there. About that roll on ....As I recall there was an 86 that held it's own . BTW My mileage definitely improved since the addition of RPM exhaust and unipods. RPM messed with my carbs too. I have seen 50 MPG, but after last weeks 300 miler it was about 45. Use to be about 38. Go figure. Polished parts :crazy:
Hi Mike! 45 is pretty good. I have never checked mine because it ran so poorly I didn't really want to know. But after the top end refresh I am curious. After I dump the break in oil and replace it with some Mobile 1 I will give it a go. Never thought of an FJ as a economical bike to run, to much fun factor.
I am sure Randy has your carbs pretty zeroed in. Can't beat experience.. Keep "shining" Mike :).. :drinks:
George
Hey SD Mike, the buffer stand was anchored. I had (2) 1/2" dia. red heads into the concrete slab at the rear of the base....I'm gonna add 2 more for the front. The PPE gloves are needed for grip, not heat.
BTW, I have a '84-87 polished swing arm with your name on it...free, if you want it.
Well, not exactly free....you do have to take up to the WCR Randy's Givi luggage he bought from Paul Lawson.
I'll even polish your header tubes to sweeten the deal. I'm trying to help Randy out....
I have stainless down pipes (headers) on my FJ but they had not seen a bucket of water in a very long time and I don't think they had ever seen polish of any type. So to 'try' and get years of baked on crud off them I turned to the 8" wire wheel on the bench grinder .... result. I now have nice brush finished stainless pipes but how long will that finish stay looking good against how long a polished finish would last? You can just see them on the bench, they do look better in real life
Quote from: Russfjr1 on April 22, 2015, 07:04:18 AM
I now have nice brush finished stainless pipes but how long will that finish stay looking good against how long a polished finish would last? You can just see them on the bench, they do look better in real life
The SST pipes will turn a light golden color from the heat, that is normal. However, remember to wipe them down really well with a solvent like Lacquer Thinner before you fire up the bike. Otherwise any contamination like oily/greasy finger prints will become dark badges of shame on your pipes. As for how long they look good, I cannot tell you. Others with polished pipes will have to post up.
Mine have turned golden after a few hundred miles. I clean them up pretty good every spring and during the summer I hit them with some SemiChrome polish as time allows. I don't get to crazy about it. I will say that a small amount of stuff (asphalt ?) will splash up on the headers with real world riding and make some black spots. What ever it is it melts onto to headers. To keep them clean you do have to do some cleaning and polishing to keep them looking good.
As Mark mentioned after you polish them it helps to wash them down with some Acetone or Alcohol etc. to get all the oil off from your hands and residue from the polish. A little more maintenance but I like the polished pipes. And forks, covers, side plates, mufflers etc. :wacko2:
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/6/1651_17_11_13_9_44_04.jpeg)
George
Quote from: movenon on April 22, 2015, 10:36:37 AM
A little more maintenance but I like the polished pipes. And forks, covers, side plates, mufflers etc. :wacko2:
George
George, RPM has one more thing you can polish... :blum1:
(http://www.rpmracingca.com/prodimages/large/HiFloCrm-1.jpg)
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 22, 2015, 12:21:44 PM
Quote from: movenon on April 22, 2015, 10:36:37 AM
A little more maintenance but I like the polished pipes. And forks, covers, side plates, mufflers etc. :wacko2:
George
George, RPM has one more thing you can polish... :blum1:
(http://www.rpmracingca.com/prodimages/large/HiFloCrm-1.jpg)
I would never want to change oil again... :lol:
George
Quote from: Pat Conlon on April 21, 2015, 11:59:10 PM
Hey SD Mike, the buffer stand was anchored. I had (2) 1/2" dia. red heads into the concrete slab at the rear of the base....I'm gonna add 2 more for the front. The PPE gloves are needed for grip, not heat.
BTW, I have a '84-87 polished swing arm with your name on it...free, if you want it.
Well, not exactly free....you do have to take up to the WCR Randy's Givi luggage he bought from Paul Lawson.
I'll even polish your header tubes to sweeten the deal. I'm trying to help Randy out....
No problem. Happy to. We shall make it happen and Thanks! I noticed the single side anchoring. That's one more than needed! Red head waster.
Quote from: Mike 86 in San Dimas on April 21, 2015, 09:45:49 PM
I have seen 50 MPG, but after last weeks 300 miler it was about 45. Use to be about 38. Go figure. Polished parts :crazy:
My disclaimer is I need to compare with another bike on the same ride. Maybe my miles o meter is off. :wacko2: The improvement is hard for me to believe.
Quote from: Mike 86 in San Dimas on April 22, 2015, 10:02:54 PM
My disclaimer is I need to compare with another bike on the same ride. Maybe my miles o meter is off. :wacko2: The improvement is hard for me to believe.
I am happy to know that you are now the new target for Mike. Have fun with that.... :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
Quote from: Mike 86 in San Dimas on April 22, 2015, 09:58:08 PM
...I noticed the single side anchoring. That's one more than needed! Red head waster.
Believe me, that power generated from that 1 hp. buffer needs at least 3 red heads in the corners to stabilize... Probably best if all 4 corners are anchored.....There is a reason Mark is stepping on the front of the stand.
Thanks for your help Mike...I'll be in touch to work out the logistics on the luggage hand off...
Quote from: FJmonkey on April 20, 2015, 10:39:43 PM
Quote from: moparman70 on April 20, 2015, 10:26:49 PM
I can vouch for that more performance ---- pulled on my 90 in roll-on and he never did on the 86....
We need to do that again... :blush: The '89 pulls so well and runs like a good FJ, I was in 4th on the slab. After our roll on I was surprised when I shifted into 5th... :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
It was fun pulling away from you like you had peddles instead of an engine....
I expect my 18/38 to give you some advantage when in the same gear and speed....
You BASTARDD --- I was almost going to mount a turbo on my bike to keep up --- Yes lets do it again --make it offical
How did I miss this thread until now!
Nice job Mark and Pat.
My polished pipes have never been touched since first doing them, but I plan on going over them and a few other things before the central rally.
Leon
Quote from: moparman70 on April 23, 2015, 09:20:37 PM
You BASTARDD --- I was almost going to mount a turbo on my bike to keep up --- Yes lets do it again --make it offical
Sure, right after I install the RPM FI kit....