Help on cleaning motor

[ossjughead]

Hi i need help i am having a terrible time trying to clean the aluminum head on my motor. I have a great acid that i have used int he past even went and got new stuff thinking the old stuff was no good. What is the best way to clean the fins etc. I only have to get the motor done and i am done the bike.

thanks Jim

[Montreux_Blue]

Not sure just how bad yours is but I used about 4 cans of the store brand engine degreaser when I first got mine and then maintain it with Simple Green Max.

[ossjughead]

oil and grease is all off of it trying to get the oxidation off the head so i can paint it. Its not looking good lol. Also has anyone not gone with the original air box and just used the clamp on filters are they any good is it worth doing??????

[bikerphil]

Sandpaper works well to clean in between the fins before painting.

[trbig]

Sandblasted mine on a low setting... Painted with a silver high temp paint after that. If you clean it to bare metal.. it will oxidize and look like crap again before too long if that's all you're doing.


Tod

[Montreux_Blue]

Pod filter search
http://www.xs11.com/forum/search.php?searchid=19399

If you go with pod filters you will have to change jet size in your carbs to run right. http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382

[ossjughead]

trying to stay away from sandblasting cause the motor is together and dont want to take it all apart that has run across my mind many times and would work the best i think

[bikerphil]

Sandpaper, wire wheels, and Dupli-color ceramic 1200F, $7 a can, doesn't have to be heat cured immediately.

[ossjughead]

wow how many hours did that take it looks great

[bikerphil]

Probably got about 8-10 hrs. of prep time. This motor used to be black. Took the whole thing down to bare metal. I've done one still in the frame and it turned out great, just a lot of masking. Before pic...

[bikerphil]

Paint stripper

Ossjughead, forgot to add, to soften up the existing paint, I used the strongest paint stripper that I could find at Home Depot. Brushed it on, let it sit, paint came off rather easily.

[barberad]

oil and grease is all off of it trying to get the oxidation off the head so i can paint it. Its not looking good lol. Also has anyone not gone with the original air box and just used the clamp on filters are they any good is it worth doing??????

Ivan came up with a poor mans mod for knock off K & N's.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread...highlight=ivan


Dan

[79XS11F]

I glass beaded both my engines and while together is a good time to do it so you can control where the beads go. Plug all entry holes and away you go. Glass beads will not damage the metal surface. Once glass beading is completed you can blow all the glass dust off it and paint it right away with no other prep being required.
Rob

[Chuckster]

How do you heat treat?

Bikerphil, for the engine you painted while in the frame, how did you do the heat treatement? Or is the engine heat when running enough to cure?

[bikerphil]

Bikerphil, for the engine you painted while in the frame, how did you do the heat treatement? Or is the engine heat when running enough to cure?

Just the engine heat is fine, but not as good as an oven. Also be careful when selecting paints, as some must be heat cured within an hour or two after applying. This would be OK for engine in the frame, but not one on the ground. I use the Dupli-color High Heat Aluminum DH1606, which doesn't require fast curing. This is good for engines out of the frame, and it doesn't force a hurried job.