Gen 1 Engines

[Canadian FJR]

Can someone confirm if the Gen 1 engines are painted.

Thanks
Canadian FJR

[FJRoss]

Just looked at one on ebay and it appears not. Judge for yourself...




Some good shots of the engine in the ad and can be zoomed. (2005)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203516441864?h ... SwIchg5KK8

[Canadian FJR]

Thanks Ross,

I’d say you are correct. Any suggestions on how to clean one up that has oxidation?

Canadian FJR

[FJRoss]

Surface likely too irregular for wire brush. Sandblasting tends to leave a rough surface which is great for painting or powder coating but not so good for leaving bare. Something like glass bead blasting or soda blasting might do a decent job - enough to remove grease, dirt and oxidation but not etch into the surface too much or leave a rough surface. (Less aggressive than sand blasting or shot blasting) Haven't done it myself but you should be able to find someone local who might be able to provide an opinion based upon experience rather than guess...

I assume the engine is out of the frame and you can cover every orifice? Media blasting make a gawd-awful mess and particulates get everywhere.

[raYzerman]

I don't believe they are "raw" but have some kind of protective coating, maybe a light anodizing. The side covers are painted. The corroded area in the pic is covered by the fairings..... I would brush off the aluminum oxide, some use AC50 as a corrosion protector..... the question is, is the engine a showpiece that needs painting? If so, then I'd media blast and paint.

[FJRoss]

The picture I posted was a generic one from ebay, not the engine Scott is referring to. If anodized, it is pretty light. Brushing works for larger flatter surfaces but not do good for removal of dirt and oxides from nooks and crannies.
Guess it depends on the object. Since the raw castings are not readily visible in an assembled motorcycle, I am wondering the reason for the original question. I suppose if I was planning to put a new/used engine into a bike, I would want it cosmetically restored before doing so...

[Canadian FJR]

Thanks guys

Just looking into a possible winter project

Canadian FJR

[FastPappy]

Back in the day when my stuff used to sit out in the weather year round and I had to deal with rust on the metal and corrosion on the aluminum I used to use Navel Jelly on the metal and Aluminum Jelly on the aluminum. Brush it on, let it sit, hose it off, easy peasy. Not sure if it is still available or how it would affect anodized or painted surfaces. YMMV.

[raYzerman]

I'd likely go with what FastPappy says.... reading up is confusing... citrus cleaner might work (simple green), perhaps even ammonia........ One of those parts cleaning brushes might work and maybe a toothbrush or paint brush to supplement the arsenal.

Looked at the (Gen2) engine cases I have here, there is some kind of coating on the outer (and inner) cast surfaces, which appears to be put on before machining.... the raw machined surfaces (gasket surfaces) have nothing. It's not paint, appears to be some kind of anodize perhaps, but obviously not hard coat anodize... so it wouldn't be all that durable....

[Festus]

Give this a shot....

https://simplegreen.com/industrial/prod ... ?locale=en

a brush and some elbow grease.

Just to clarify, this is made for aluminum aircraft parts, in case you don't want to click the link to see the product.

[CollingsBob]

Many of my friends in the Vincent community use either vapour blasting or soda blasting for cleaning up parts..

[wheatonFJR]

Many of my friends in the Vincent community use either vapour blasting or soda blasting for cleaning up parts..

That's what Bust uses in the WC.

[Angus_McL]

I just had some stainless pieces vapour blasted at work. Really happy with the results. The guy is located in the Valley @Canadian FJR but is mobile. Give me a shout if you want some contact info.

A.

[Bounce]

Thanks Ross,

I’d say you are correct. Any suggestions on how to clean one up that has oxidation?

Canadian FJR

Flitz? I used it on the satin aluminum trim and it looked like chrome when done. MUCH easier than Brasso or nearly anything else I can think of.

[Canadian FJR]

Thanks folks
Appreciate all the suggestions


Canadian FJR