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Finish for Tail Lamp Carrier, T140V?

2K views 28 replies 12 participants last post by  Rookster 
#1 ·
I'm reviewing all the body parts in preparation for an application of filler primer.

The frame, and body parts had been etch primed after paint stripping and sanding to arrest the return of rust while I learnt/decided what comes next.

Since then, I've noticed varying finishes on the T140V Tail Lamp Carrier (83-7094).

One particular Forum Members carrier appears to be chromed and looks quite nice.

What's the consensus?

Should I paint the carrier black or should it be chromed, or a clear lacquer (Eastwood's Diamond Clear finish) over the polished metal?


Cheers.

RR
 

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#2 ·
Mines just the polished natural alloy. Polished it a number of years ago by using wet and dry, starting with 220 grit, 400, 1000, 2000 and Mothers metal polish. Hit it every year with the Mothers and it still looks pretty good.
 
#5 ·
Was the factory finish painted black?

I don't like over chroming/polishing a bike, but an example I've seen online looks great polished (I assume it's polished).

Didn't like the idea of leaving the bare metal to the elements, but if oxidation is very slow, I can live with this.
 
#14 ·
My 77 has the polished alloy mount and I used polish on it to give it protection but it's not "polished" . It has a sort of blotchy patina. So do my engine cases. Once you polish them up nice you have to keep it up. If I remember correctly my 73 Bonny also had the polished alloy mount, though I changed it to one from a 67.
 
#15 ·
The Co-Op painted them in 77 only as a cost saving measure. They were a wrinkle black. The following year they went back to polish with a clear lacquer over the top. This is the same clear they used on the 78 on hubs. I rubbed the clear off mine with just simichrome and a rag. It was quite thin. I'm not sure if they were cleared prior to 78 but the standard finish is polished except for 77.

Scott
 
#19 ·
Hi Rod, The finish depended upon the year. Mine is polished alum. & was never lacquered. My license plate tin brackets are glossy black.

My good friends all original 77 Bonnie (USA) is nearly a flat black. Recently looking at bikes side by side the dull black looks ugly to me. His bike has metallic blue & white tank. I think the black finish looks out of place with the other bright work.

Chrome looks nice. To my eyes polished alum. has a richness that black or chrome lacks. I find it's quite easy to keep the polish on the tail lamp. I don't try to make it like chrome, but the soft shinny polish like from factory.

If you have other black accents on bike like forks & grab bar a black tail lamp can look good.

Again, just my opinion since you asked.

Don
 
#21 ·
The primer has now been from the Tail Lamp Carrier.

I used 400 grit wet, then a fine buffing compound, then finished with Autosol Cream.

Came up better than chrome.


What about the Support Plate (83-5001)?

Being made from steel rather than alloy, it won't polish up like the Carrier.


Should this be painted black?
 

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#23 ·
Hi Rod, My original '73 support is glossy black. Looks good with the polished tail lamp. In USA there is also a lower license support near lower end of fender. It's glossy black also. There is also a little grooved rubber trim strip on housing where it's cut out for the seat grab handle/fender bracket. I think it's worth it to add that as well as it fills that little gap & looks more finished.
Don
 
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