Engine cleaning CB500 Four 1972

[Scotty67]

Not sure if this is a Project Board item. Just bought a project, a complete bike with a complete spare 550 engine. I'll probably sell on the 550 engine.

Would appreciate your advice on the best method of cleaning the 500 engine, to obtain the best original finish. My plan is to remove the engine and strip it fully. Is vapour blasting recommended?

Thanks,
Scott

[Laverdaroo]

Yes but don't be fooled into taking a complete engine to be blasted, it'll wright it off in one easy motion, the media will and does get into every available micron of a gap to then knacker your motor on start up and run in.
Never done it but seen plenty that have. I stripped mine down and had it vapour blasted back to the ally then clear Ceracote covered to keep it looking period rather all bling and Simonitz. Not for that engine, I'll be doing that to the 550. Looks really nice but depends on how you want to go with the build and if you want a fresh looking painted engine.

The vapour blasting is not as aggressive using water as the propellant and is much kinder to the metal.  It uses a rounder shaped media (glass, plastic etc)and doesn't kick hell out of the cleaning surface. Sand media has a very spikey appearance and so leaves pits and a rough finish, matt in appearance. The rounder profile of the media used in vapour blasting kind of has the effect of billions of tiny ballpain hammers taking the detritus off leaving a nice smooth, clean surface. Highly satisfying job to doand to watch. Highly reccomended by the gang onhere I should imagine.

[Sesman]

 All bling and Simoniz 

Wish I could afford middle class ceracote.

I vapour blasted, dried in the airing cupboard for 4 days then blasted our with air. Then washed with a high pressure washer and dried out again. Used a variety of brushes (eBay £4.99) and air blasted again. I also cleaned every thread hole and retapped. One last wash, airing cupboard, brush and pipe cleaner job, a wash down with acetone and paint with that inferior, working class,  bling Simoniz silver

Not bad result in my humble opinion.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

All bling and Simoniz 

Wish I could afford middle class ceracote.

I vapour blasted, dried in the airing cupboard for 4 days then blasted our with air. Then washed with a high pressure washer and dried out again. Used a variety of brushes (eBay £4.99) and air blasted again. I also cleaned every thread hole and retapped. One last wash, airing cupboard, brush and pipe cleaner job, a wash down with acetone and paint with that inferior, working class,  bling Simoniz silver

Not bad result in my humble opinion.

Thats well tidy.

[Sesman]

Thanks, Ted.

I understand the attraction to Cerakote, though. I’m having the final drive cover, alternator cover and clutch housing done in clear cerakote after satin polish.

[K2-K6]

"My plan is to remove the engine and strip it fully. Is vapour blasting recommended?"

Before stripping the motor and if you have availability to steam clean (not pressure blasting) plug any holes and steam clean it whole. It's generally very gentle to all of the materials, lets you have a really good view of true condition and what you then need to do. But most of all it cleans all the crap, grit etc from it so that it doesn't mix with internal components when you take it apart.

HGV inspection prep places often run a steam cleaner, you may be able to come to a cash arrangement to do it for you.

[Nurse Julie]

On a 500/550 there is a oil channel that runs in the head. It is blocked off with two alloy plugs on each side of the head, if these plugs are not removed and the channel cleaned out then, bye, bye cam 

[Sesman]

Yes, fully agree. Probing the channels isn’t a guarantee of debris clearance.

[Sesman]

I plugged the channels with wood pegs and wax before blasting. Additionally I only blasted the exterior surfaces, not the interior ones. Stay way from any bearing surfaces what ever cleaning method you elect to use. Except for hot soapy water of course. Avoid the dishwasher.

[Laverdaroo]

All bling and Simoniz 

Wish I could afford middle class ceracote.

I vapour blasted, dried in the airing cupboard for 4 days then blasted our with air. Then washed with a high pressure washer and dried out again. Used a variety of brushes (eBay £4.99) and air blasted again. I also cleaned every thread hole and retapped. One last wash, airing cupboard, brush and pipe cleaner job, a wash down with acetone and paint with that inferior, working class,  bling Simoniz silver



  My Middle class ceracote worked out cheaper and less faff than the working class option. I have a man that does stuff  and only cost me £60 and the results are fab fpr me. Never thought of steaming it first, that's a great idea  and mqkes perfect sense, I'll do that with the 550 before anything happens with spanners....top tip.

[Sesman]

No ‘class’ offence intended. To be honest my cack handed approach and obsessive application of 4 coats probably  cost me around £30 quid in paint, so a £60 cerakote job is well worth it and I’d have done the same given your contact.

I find that a long drying spell and blowing out with an airline is far better than trying to wash our fine media. Others may have a different experience?

My clutch cover, alternator cover and drive cover are away for clear cerakote, and is costing around £60. I was quoted over £350 including vapour blast for both case half’s, block, head, cam covers and side covers.

[Laverdaroo]

bloody hell!
None taken
I was quoted £300 for vapour and ceracote but had a 'northern moment' and after various intakes of breath through my teeth thought I could do it cheaper. However, you meet folk in life that help  and a passing conversation with a pal pointed me to this local chap.

[Sesman]

Nice one.

[Laverdaroo]

bloody hell!
None taken
I was quoted £300 for vapour and ceracote but had a 'northern moment' and after various intakes of breath through my teeth thought I could do it cheaper. However, you meet folk in life that help  and a passing conversation with a pal pointed me to this local chap.

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[Laverdaroo]

bloody hell!
None taken
I was quoted £300 for vapour and ceracote but had a 'northern moment' and after various intakes of breath through my teeth thought I could do it cheaper. However, you meet folk in life that help  and a passing conversation with a pal pointed me to this local chap.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk