81 mns

[foreda]

Lookey what I found about 15 miles from my house. Bike has been setting for a long time but has only 6k miles. I am going look at it Friday. Hopefully it will be in my stable by the weekend.
Dale

[TopCatGr58]

Nice find, but I'm sure you noticed that it doesn't have OEM pipes, those are kerkers, but still nice and black! Also not oem shocks. Lockhart Oil cooler also. Have fun!!

T.C.

[foreda]

Not stock

Nice find, but I'm sure you noticed that it doesn't have OEM pipes, those are kerkers, but still nice and black! Also not oem shocks. Lockhart Oil cooler also. Have fun!!

T.C.

Yes I did notice this plus some other stuff but if I can get it for a reasonable price, I'll take care of most of the non stock stuff except of course the exhaust. I will try to find a stock exhaust in reasonable shape and have them ceramic coated black. I 've never done a MNS and look forward to it although it is second in line to the Honda V65 Magna I am restoring now.

[Rasputin]

Check the shape of all the gold trim. It is almost impossible to replace although it can be done with considerable expense. If the gold trim is questionable then you need/want to get it cheaper. Even the swing arm covers need to be in excellent shape to command a top dollar, just so you have some ammo for the seller!

[mack]

Good luck

Nice find. In general I found when I did mine that it was more labour intensive to deal with the black motor and other stuff. Gold will be an issue as rasputin said and the non OEM parts should provide some barganing room. With the milage on it, you sure can't go too far wrong.

[foreda]

Gold trim

What did you guys do with the gold stuff? Is there somewhere I can buy the trim or have it made?. What about getting the metal anodized gold? Anyone ever do this?

[mack]

Gold trim

I had mine all re-chromed in 10K gold/brass mix. Came out really good but it was pricy. I looked into "old brass" dipping as well. If you did it all at the same time, the appearance would be really close to the original. I didn't go with it though because I've seen door handles, knockers and exterior lights etc. that have that finish on them and it wears off quickly and turns black in a few years. However, considering they are exposed to the elements 365 days a year, it might be ok for a bike that spends most of the time out of the sun and rain in a shop or garage. Which is probaly the case with yours, I know when you have more than one bike which both of us do now, it's hard to clock a lot of miles on any of them.

[foreda]

Pricey

I had mine all re-chromed in 10K gold/brass mix. Came out really good but it was pricy. I looked into "old brass" dipping as well. If you did it all at the same time, the appearance would be really close to the original. I didn't go with it though because I've seen door handles, knockers and exterior lights etc. that have that finish on them and it wears off quickly and turns black in a few years. However, considering they are exposed to the elements 365 days a year, it might be ok for a bike that spends most of the time out of the sun and rain in a shop or garage. Which is probaly the case with yours, I know when you have more than one bike which both of us do now, it's hard to clock a lot of miles on any of them.

Where did you get yours done? How pricey are we talking abou?

[mack]

Gold trim

I'd have to dig around for the receipt, but I think it was around 8 hundred. I had a lot done though, all the gold including the screws etc and I think ten carb tops done at same time. It was guy in Ottawa Canada. He was the only one up here in my area that does it the old way(right) that hasn't been shut down by the tree huggers.

[jetmechmarty]

It's possible that foreda might have a little less tree hugger problem if he can find somebody in Louisiana to do it.

[foreda]

Plating

It's possible that foreda might have a little less tree hugger problem if he can find somebody in Louisiana to do it.

Hopefully. I'm looking!

[crazy steve]

He'll have less trouble finding somebody to do it, but I doubt if it'll be any cheaper...

[foreda]

Midnight Special

I did not buy the first one I posted but I bought this one. I'm trying to get it shipped from Michigan and hopefully get it in a couple of days. This one is a 1980. Anyone with tips for restoration would be appreciated. Main thing will be getting the gold replated and anyone with any information on this would be helpful. Not sure how bad or good it is until I put my eyes on it but this one will get the full resto.
Dale

[Rasputin]

If you are into a full resto with as many stock parts as you can keep, be very careful with the rear MC as there are no longer any rebuild kits that I am aware of for it. I did manage to find one a couple of years ago so i grabbed it and did not use it till now but I do know they are extremely rare.
Check on Mack's posts about his bike as he did a wonderful job of his resto and did the gold and all.

[mmatches1]

Interesting that the lower fork is black. Is this common for 81 Specials? My 81H has Special lower forks but they are silver.