Grease degunking

Motofun · February 26, 2019, 04:23:01 PM

OK, so I decided to rebuild an old CB400F I've had in the barn for 15 years. It was originally bought to be a parts bike but when I got the engine to run I had a change of heart. The bike is stripped to a rolling frame at this point but the gunked on 50 year old grease is like tar. Any suggestions on the best way to clean this piece of crap to get it ready for a repaint? Kerosene doesn't make a dent and it's to cold to try and pressure wash it...wish I had a steam jenny.

ZOA NOM · February 26, 2019, 04:34:07 PM

If you're re-painting try easy-off oven cleaner. Spray it down, let it sit for a few hours, hose it off.

Tuned forks · February 26, 2019, 05:18:27 PM

+1 on Easy Off. Just be aware that the active ingredient is lye. Protect your skin, if you don't you'll know it in a hurry. Also be aware where you are rinsing off the mess too. Your wife's flower garden won't play well with lye. On the other hand, if you have a neighbor or relative you really don't like....

Joe

T Legg · February 26, 2019, 05:56:56 PM

I use a rag dipped in fresh motor oil to loosen old dry grease.sodium hydroxide will discolor any aluminum it touches.

Pat Conlon · February 26, 2019, 06:30:28 PM

Cold dried on grease? Take a torch and gently heat it up, see it that softens it enough for solvent to work.

I love those little I-4 Honda's...I had a CB500 back in '74 and that was a great bike. Took me all over the country. Mile after mile that bike purrred, smooth as silk.
Does your CB have pipes like these?

A beautiful little jewel of a motorcycle.

Tuned forks · February 26, 2019, 08:06:21 PM

Back when chrome was king.

Joe

Motofun · February 27, 2019, 05:25:29 AM

Quote from: Pat Conlon on February 26, 2019, 06:30:28 PM
Cold dried on grease? Take a torch and gently heat it up, see it that softens it enough for solvent to work.

I love those little I-4 Honda's...I had a CB500 back in '74 and that was a great bike. Took me all over the country. Mile after mile that bike purrred, smooth as silk.
Does your CB have pipes like these?

A beautiful little jewel of a motorcycle.

Yes that's it...I'm thinking of going with parakeet yellow for the tank. I have a new OEM exhaust which is the key to this bike.

CutterBill · February 27, 2019, 07:04:39 AM

Don't overlook the fact that plain ol' gasoline is a pretty good (and cheap) solvent. Use an old toothbrush to scrub. No smoking, of course...
Bill

Paul.1478 · February 27, 2019, 09:02:25 AM

Strange, I was just looking at these yesterday. I was thinking about the 350-4 and this bike came up. I remember seeing it round back "in the day".

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Grease degunking