Badge Removal

[Froudster]

Hi there.
I'm in the process of stripping and polishing the generator cover on my 1979 GS1000EN. Does anyone know if it is possible to remove the Suzuki badge WITHOUT damaging it, and if so how?

Thanks

[Matchless]

Have never tried it myself, but most such emblems are stuck on with adhesive. If you can heat it carefully with a heat gun it may soften the old adhesive enough to get it off. The one under my headlight came off that way. Do not overheat and damage something!
Otherwise you need to keep it in some solvent that will not damage the metal, but seep under the emblem and dissolve the adhesive. Benzine or acetone or laquer thinners may do it but may damage paint and plastics.
First check it out carefully.

[psyguy]

it's not really meant to be taken off
they are regularly available on ebay though and possibly from suzuki too
i paid for mines $10 ea.

[tfb]

They are held on by some sort of '3M' adhesive (judging by the 3M logo all over the backing paper when you buy them new from Suzuki). The adhesive will soften with acetone; even better, use some MEK (paint thinners has a large percentage of this wonderful chemical in it). Heat may help, but WATCH OUT if you try using anything around any solvents. We don't want you ending up in the burns ward, OK?!

But as psyguy says, the new part is fairly inexpensive... and there's nothing like having a schmick and spotless badge displayed on either end of your crankshaft!

[Froudster]

Thanks for the info guys. What I did in the end was to "mask" it over with sticky parcel tape. Then I used Nitromors paint stripper to get rid of the laquer, and finally got the polishing mops on it. I'm more than happy with the result

[Loose Seal]

A heat gun usually works wonders for this kind of thing.

Then to remove the mess left behind, use a 3M adhesive/scuff remover wheel. Its like a big round eraser that you can mount in your drill or die grinder.

[Steve]

I'm more than happy with the result

I would be happy with that result, too. Looks real good.

.

[psyguy]

good work!