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Engine cleaning CB500 Four 1972

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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 ;D ;D ;D

Not bad result in my humble opinion.

McCabe-Thiele (Ted):

--- Quote from: Sesman on October 13, 2021, 09:45:18 AM --- 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 ;D ;D ;D

Not bad result in my humble opinion.

--- End quote ---

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.

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