Bringing a 78 GS 550 back to life. . .

[Wangofree]

As expected the airbox rubber is a little hard in spots, but I believe it might work. Just have to finagle it with a little TLC.
I haven't checked my Clymer manual, but for all I know this might be installed upside down. I'll check it when the time comes.

[Wangofree]

Stripping down frame parts for paint with HF blaster kit. This works for small hard to reach areas, but would recommend Aircraft paint stripper 1st.



This kit is only $30, so not a big expense. Worked "ok" with my HF 2.5 HP 125 psi compressor.



After a tack cloth and tarp on the floor I'm ready to paint with auto body urethane. Gloss black single stage paint. Should do the trick.

[Wangofree]

Sprayed all the black. This should motivate me to start cleaning up and painting the engine, VHT - 127 Gray.



So far, so good, but a long way to go. . .



I like the shiny bits next to the black. . .

[Jrgunn5150]

Wow, you've made a ton of progress! Looking fantastic!

[Wangofree]

Thanks JR. This part of the project is "easy". Getting it wired and running is the challenge. We'll see how it goes.

[Wangofree]

Slowly bringing each part back to life. . .




Much better. . .



I'm not sure what the "post" with the cutout sticking up off this hub is for. Nothing was connected to it when I bought the bike.
Oh well, I'll look into it.

[steve murdoch]

Brake cable stay.
Nice work on the cleanup/polish.
Got any fingerprints left or are you using a wheel?

[Wangofree]

Thanks Steve. Using wire wheel -> 320 grit -> 400 grit -> 600 grit -> black polish (buffer wheel) -> Gray -> Brown -> White-> then seal with Sharkhide. http://www.sharkhide.com/apinfo.html

[Wangofree]

Breaking down the rear wheel hub. I love bringing grungy things back to life. . .

[Wangofree]

It's so much easier to clean up the hub with the spokes removed. A lot more work, but well worth the effort.



Spokes coated with Sharkhide. I love the sparkle.



One wheel down, one to go. . .

[hillsy]

Why not new tyres?

[Wangofree]

Believe it or not this bike came with basically new tires (tyres ). The previous owner said the guy he bought it from put on new rubber. The guy I bought
this bike from was a kid who started to rebuild it but gave up. The tires look new with plenty of tread, just need a bit of cleaning.

[Wangofree]

And the beat goes on. This bike has had some rough knocks in its' life. . .



But the best I can do is bring it back with a little "patina" left behind.

[GSXR7ED]

That's really good! Thanks for posting pics.


Ed

[Wangofree]

Thanks Ed, appreciate the comment.

Time to paint the top end. Thing was ice cold in garage, so I brought it to room temp in a slow 100 deg oven.



Taping up the top end and ports. . .



I love the way VHT-127 paint gives it that "new" engine look. . .



Getting there. . .



This gives me motivation to clean the rest of the motor and get it painted up. . .