Mike R's GS550/650 bare bones street racer

[DohcBikes]

Lost the sprocket nut and spit a wrist pin clip...might wanna tighten up the quality control before somebody gets hurt.

Following along, reading long before becoming a member here. You took on a lot of work with one project here. Great job so far.

[boontonmike]

dorkburger - Been in the new house for a year and a half now. Have the single bay garage setup for working on my bikes. Bought a harbor freight lift table which makes life so much easier. Thanks!

DohcBikes - sprocket nut was my fault for not rechecking. The pin clip is just crap luck. Either way I've since purchased 3 different torque wrenches and extra locktite This project has been going on since 2010-11 Holy Smokes time flies.

[Nessism]

Great job Mike. Super cool bike. Disregard negative comments from the peanut gallery and keep going.

[DohcBikes]

Great job Mike. Super cool bike. Disregard negative comments from the peanut gallery and keep going.

Yes do as this man says, or else.

It was a reminder to be safe, because as a rider I have concern for other riders. He took it a lot better than you did.

Not everyone has to be the same. I don't believe he took the comment negatively, because it wasn't intented to be. Maybe you are more sensitive than others. That's ok, everybody is different.

Again, great job Mike. Your build was a part of the inspiration for me to build my own 550/650.

[Fjbj40]

Before dipping you cases in the alumiprep and Alodine you may want to do a test first. I have found the impurity in the cases and other aluminum parts, compared to 2024 and other aerospace aluminums, causes issues. I have seen it turn black, from the Alumiprep.

Also the glass bead leaves to smooth a surface for adhesion, I use it for cleaning, paint and corrosion removal. After that I give it a quick blast with aluminum oxide to roughen the surface, paint adheres WAY better. Adhesion may not be a problem with powder coat, never had powder coating done to compare. But with other paints this is my experience. As of lately I have been using GunKote with favorable results over 2 part paints.

Great job so far, she is a beauty!

[boontonmike]

Before dipping you cases in the alumiprep and Alodine you may want to do a test first. I have found the impurity in the cases and other aluminum parts, compared to 2024 and other aerospace aluminums, causes issues. I have seen it turn black, from the Alumiprep.

Also the glass bead leaves to smooth a surface for adhesion, I use it for cleaning, paint and corrosion removal. After that I give it a quick blast with aluminum oxide to roughen the surface, paint adheres WAY better. Adhesion may not be a problem with powder coat, never had powder coating done to compare. But with other paints this is my experience. As of lately I have been using GunKote with favorable results over 2 part paints.

Great job so far, she is a beauty!

This is some useful info, thank you. a couple questions:

If the alumprep turns it black and I'm painting it black would it even matter? or is it turning black for bad chemical reaction reasons?

The Gunkote as in epoxy aerosol cans? And if so what do you use as primer or do you paint directly on the aluminum?

[Fjbj40]

This is some useful info, thank you. a couple questions:

If the alumprep turns it black and I'm painting it black would it even matter? or is it turning black for bad chemical reaction reasons?

The Gunkote as in epoxy aerosol cans? And if so what do you use as primer or do you paint directly on the aluminum?

Chemical reaction, I assume. I reblasted it after it happened.

http://www.kgcoatings.com/gun-kote-finish you use their treatment then spray on the color and bake. Way more durable than any aerosol can paint.

[boontonmike]

Chemical reaction, I assume. I reblasted it after it happened.

http://www.kgcoatings.com/gun-kote-finish you use their treatment then spray on the color and bake. Way more durable than any aerosol can paint.

I ordered the Alumiprep 33 and Alodine 1001 . I'm going to give that a try and if it fails like you had happen I'll just blast it again. I'll have the chemicals for other aluminum parts I want to paint anyway.

I researched the Gunkote and I'm going to go with that. I already have a touch up sprayer and oven available. Thanks for your help !

[boontonmike]

Engine case blasted - top

Here is the top case blasted:
11057408_10153918785727375_6934403273603704752_o.jpg

[boontonmike]

Here is the bottom case blasted:
12593641_10153918785882375_4016263310922158060_o.jpg

[Fjbj40]

Did u remove the oil gallery plug and do a thorough flush?

[boontonmike]

Did u remove the oil gallery plug and do a thorough flush?

I removed everything on the cases except the head studs. Flushed in a parts washer and used brushes through every passageway and threaded hole. I am going to run both cases through my dishwasher for a final cleaning and degrease before moving on.