1978 - sr500

[jetmechmarty]

Partshark.com generally has lower prices on OEM parts that Partzilla. They also ship much faster. UPS shipping is optional if you don’t care to wait. I’ve given them all the business I used to give to Partzilla.

[kboehringer]

Since I havent seen any Harley parts yet, ....SNIP.... Tread lightly though, the Parts Police are keeping an eye on you!

LOL~ LOL ~ LOL

Well there isn't much opportunity on this ole' girl for Harley parts. The Hardley muffs I'm kinda fond of using on my XS11's won't work here and that hugely expensive OEM exhaust fixed the loud problem.

I really really want to make this a BETTER restoration than my SECA, FJ1200, and the FZR. The SECA is by far the most OEM original bike in my stable with the only real modification being: SS Brake Lines & Modern Fuses.

Paint Color Woes:
I'm still battling with the urge to re-paint in the OEM RED.

The bike needs paint and decals.

• The tank has a couple dings and some surface rust on the rear.
• There are vertical stains on the front sides of the tank I assume are from brake fluid.
• The replaced LEFT side cover is not in OEM black and has no decal
• The RIGHT side cover needs a re-paint due to scratches and missing paint and the decal is crap.
• The tail fin needs is in crap shape too.

However, a wise friend once stated that "Paint is only OEM once". That said I don't think his paint was this bad.....

The urge to make this one look like my original "First REAL Bike" is a strong one, but I already have two red bikes (FJ12 & FZR) and not a single black one in the stable. Either OEM 1978 SR500 paint color is going to be nearly impossible for me to duplicate (need to discuss with the PPG store). The black has that faint "Red Flake" in it, the red seems to have a faint "Gold Flake" in it. Either one of those is going to be a major undertaking to get them CLOSE to correct. Also my personal skills are "Adequate" AT BEST, most REAL professionals will tell ya that black is the hardest to do well..... Personally, I've never painted black on anything that really mattered.

Still debating......

Thoughts? OEM Red or OEM Black?

Kurt.

P.S.. I thought of strapping a HD muffler or a sportster seat on it just to mess with you.... Not today LOL



Tank Rear Missing Paint from seat rubbing.

Tail Fin Scratches & Gouges probably from tie-downs on the luggage rack.

Right Side Cover Damage from the seat rubbing on it.

Left Side Cover - Wrong color and it looks like the PO touched it while it was still wet.


I tried to polish the heck out of the tank (that's what all the white dots are all over the bike from my high-speed buffer and cutting compound). But in the sunlight, all the stains and drips on the front from the brake fluid are clearly visible...

[Radioguylogs]

The rest of this project is so nice, you already know you have to paint it.

Your mind will subconsciously tell you what color you want to paint it.

That's how I decide such things if there are no logical reasons.

[kboehringer]

Your mind will subconsciously tell you what color you want to paint it.

I'm going with RED



I purchased a RED side cover on Evil-Bay. I didn't really need another but I needed something to take to the PPG Paint Store they could match to. Once mounted.... The memory of my original from 40 years ago told me "This thing is going to be red!"


Next problem..... Finding DECALS for a ONE YEAR ONLY side cover decal.... UGH!!! Tank is the same in 79+ (?) but the side covers went to a different style a big SR printed over 500 at some point in '79.

[2WheelFun]

https://www.diablocycle.com/SR500-19...er-Decals.html

Is this the decal you seek?

[kboehringer]

https://www.diablocycle.com/SR500-19...er-Decals.html

Is this the decal you seek?

HELL YA! THANK YOU!
I will purchase the full kit they have since everything is getting a coat of red.
https://www.diablocycle.com/SR500-19...Decal-Set.html


Never heard of those guys.....Last weird set I needed (85 FJ1200) came all the way from HUNGARY and cost me a small fortune!.

[2WheelFun]

Glad I could finally help you out. That site has an amazing selection of restoration parts.

[kboehringer]

Rear rim is done: Cleaned, sanded & repainted, New Bearings, New Seals, New Bolt Locks/Retainers, New Tire (old tube), Properly Balanced, Polished (best possible), Rotor is marginal/questionable (looking for a replacement) READY 2 ROLL!

Rear Rim B&A






Kurt

[cajun31]

Rear rim is done: Cleaned, sanded & repainted, New Bearings, New Seals, New Bolt Locks/Retainers, New Tire (old tube), Properly Balanced, Polished (best possible), Rotor is marginal/questionable (looking for a replacement) READY 2 ROLL!

Rear Rim B&A






Kurt

Awesome job. Looks great.

[BBQRider]

Looking awesome Kurt!

[kboehringer]

Getting closer to Yamaha "STAR RED"!



Fixed the minor dings in the tank, gouges in the tail fin, wear ribbon in the top of the R cover. All-in-all only took about two tablespoons of filler for all the repairs (80% of that was sanded off).
Then, three HEAVY coats of PPG 2K High Build Primer with wet sanding between each.



HOPEFULLY, get some color on it in a week or so.

Kurt

[kboehringer]

Color is on....Seems a little "Brighter" than the OEM sample I have but it's also not 43 year old paint... Close enough for my liking.




After a few days of drying, I'll likely sand and re-spray the tank as there are a few small defects. Only on the underside I have a couple fisheyes around the petcock area I didn't clean well enough. Then, it will dry for several weeks and get color sanded and buffed.


Unfortunately, I'm back to looking for decals again! The decals offered by Diablo Cycle are not correct for the Red version. They're actually not correct for either version as the gold letters are supposed to have a black border which few would notice (or possibly care about) on a black bike. Some of the guys on FaKeBook are suggesting a seller in Germany. Back on the hunt for the proper decals.

[Bax]

Hi Kurt, Have you checked out The Vintage Spoke in Kansas? Looks like he produces some decals for the SR.

https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/SR500/Decals.htm

---Bax

[2WheelFun]

Looks great! A guy from another forum uses this place for custom reproduction decals. https://toddsgraphicstogo.com/

Maybe you can take the cover to a local shop that can cut the vynal based off an image taken from your side cover.

[kboehringer]

Hi Kurt, Have you checked out The Vintage Spoke in Kansas? Looks like he produces some decals for the SR.

https://www.thevintagespoke.com/shop/SR500/Decals.htm

---Bax

Bax & 2Wheel Fun,
Thanks for the links but neither one of these retailers has the correct decals for the '78 model SR500. I've yet to find the seller in Germany others (FaKebook) recommended. I've got to keep looking......Otherwise, I may have to have them made custom.

I managed to get the "Sand & Buff" completed early see photos! (little kid couldn't wait). Seems this may be the best paint I've EVER done on ANY of my bikes, I guess after 10+ bikes I've finally figured out the process!

I'd hate to go through all of this and then put the wrong decals on it - UGH