Black Motors vs. Natural Aluminum

[Nessism]

Hope you guys realize that the silver engines are painted with silver paint.

[Mysuzyq]

I knew that, but it seems the OP did not.....you answered his question.

Tony.

[hampshirehog]

We're back to the O level experiments with eggs painted black (and I didn't bother filming the egg powered boat I made with my daughter a fortnight or so ago - the result was about as exciting as watching paint dry).

Black engines (and other parts for that matter) will shed heat better than any other colour, including polished or unpolished alloy. Will it make any difference on our bikes worth considering? No. With the temperatures (and temperature gradients) and materials used it's worth diddly squat.

[DanTheMan]

original (AKA: real) volkswagon engine valve covers were black to aid cooling, volkswagon produced a artic kit to help their air cooled engines warm up and it included chrome valve covers.

The valve covers on all the VW engines I worked on were much like the ones on the Corvair engines I worked on. Made of steel and rusty, covered in oil and dirt, no paint color that I could discern at all.
The aluminum color on my GS engine is just that, aluminum, no paint, the only "paint" is the clear coat in various spots such as the clutch and stator covers. The only black paint on my Corvairs and on the VWs was on the engine cooling shrouding in the engine area.

[chef1366]

I thought these entire engines were coated to keep the aluminum from oxidizing. Either black or clear coat.

[Nessism]

The aluminum color on my GS engine is just that, aluminum, no paint, the only "paint" is the clear coat in various spots such as the clutch and stator covers.

Hey Dan,

How did you strip the factory silver paint off your GS engine?

[Road_Clam]

Did I see somewhere that the painted (black) ones cool better than the unpainteds?

Only in cooler climates.

[Agemax]

We're back to the O level experiments with eggs painted black (and I didn't bother filming the egg powered boat I made with my daughter a fortnight or so ago - the result was about as exciting as watching paint dry).

Black engines (and other parts for that matter) will shed heat better than any other colour, including polished or unpolished alloy. Will it make any difference on our bikes worth considering? No. With the temperatures (and temperature gradients) and materials used it's worth diddly squat.

exactly. it wont make diddly squat difference that you or i will notice. its just a matter of preference in looks, and how well you can spray or polish

[chef1366]

exactly. it wont make diddly squat difference that you or i will notice. its just a matter of preference in looks, and how well you can spray or polish

By the way bull hockey in other words is bullsh!t.

[Agemax]

By the way bull hockey in other words is bullsh!t.

yeah i gathered that now mate. what the hell.....black motor,polished motor, its what you choose and we aint gonna notice any difference

[dwvoss]

yeah i gathered that now mate. what the hell.....black motor,polished motor, its what you choose and we aint gonna notice any difference

Except that black motors are way COOLER. And faster...

[Agemax]

Except that black motors are way COOLER. And faster...

nah, gotta be a fact that a polished motor is more aerodynamically efficient than a painted motor

[Kaiser Sosei]

Natural Aluminum motors are lighter and therefore better.

[Nessism]

Natural Aluminum motors are lighter and therefore better.

Yea, too bad Suzuki painted the GS's.

[tkent02]

You are all forgetting one thing, a mud covered engine runs hotter, and thus makes more power.

Mud hides all colors, and even the absence of color.

Mud makes even pink bikes look good.