Triumphrat

Ant132 · 03-08-2010, 07:06 PM

Hi all, i want to paint the swing arm on my bike but ideally dont want to take it off or remove many bits.

I just want it tidied up ideally as its very badly marked/scratched, i will take exhuasts off etc. but id rather not take wheel/swing arm off. I just want a nice, clean smooth finish. Any ideas on paint (brush or spray) to use. Would just normal silver do or is there a shade that would match the original better. (Mine has a silver swingarm)

Same question goes to the exhausts, i have a pair of black exhausts that are very dull but i want a nice finish on them.

Ant

phpbiker · 03-09-2010, 05:42 AM

You are hitting on one of my pet hates here.

Don't be lazy. If you'll excuse the tone.

If your bike it looking sh@t, take the whole thing apart, clean it, re-condition it, re-finish whatever needs what, and put it back together again.

If you try to do it without taking it apart, you will just make a mess, that will be harder to clean up.

KitNYC · 03-09-2010, 06:11 AM

The man has a point. Something I've done more than once when I didn't want to be off the road, but did want to refinish or refurbish some vital bit, is buy said bit on eBay, then sell it on after.

I'm not aware of any painted silver swingarms; I thought they came in painted black or clearcoated aluminium. That being said, my knowledge is fairly lacking when it comes to details about the pre-'95 models.

Cheers,
-Kit

Scarletfever · 03-09-2010, 07:48 AM

Think Kit is correct, not unusual, silver swingarms are lacquered aluminium. At least mine is, registered Jan 94 but according to the VIN manufactured in 1992.
I think I'd be tempted o take it of and do it right, it'll be a better job and if you don't, well you'll know won't you?

pigboy306 · 03-09-2010, 06:08 PM

Yep take it off and have it powder coated. I had mine done it looks much better. The only problem i had was i had to take some of the powdercoating off the inside of where the round adjusters fit and also off the ends of where the tie rods go. But it looked much better.
My bigest regret is not powder coating the frame.

Hopefully the panels come back Friday from being resprayed nd touched up

Ant132 · 03-10-2010, 03:06 PM

You're all totally right, what was i thinking?

Its not affecting anything so ill just wait until i can afford to have it off the road for a while (Im looking into a second smaller bike aswell as it happens)

I think it is aluminium, its just its faded alot making it look like a dull silver.

I do still need to do the exhausts though, the black upswept ones. They are dull at the ends where they connect to the downpipes. Im thinking just a VHT spray, but usually they have a dull-ish finish anyway.

Thanks guys!

pigboy306 · 03-10-2010, 03:41 PM

I think my swingarm cost about £40 to have done... not much tbh... does look much better though.

Flying Custard · 03-11-2010, 09:26 AM

Might be anodized, if it's a flat-looking silver, and wearing/scratched in places. Or clearcoated but you'd see that translucency.

born to be mild · 03-11-2010, 01:59 PM

If you get the swingarm off for painting, you can the check the chain guide and replace it if its worn [ about £16] and also check and re-grease the swingarm bearing plus you can check the suspension arms for bearing wear, be warned though, once you start the list of jobs just expands and expands !

84 shovelhead · 03-13-2010, 10:40 PM

I have done fairly high quality repaints with wheels and other accessories removed.Must tape off very carefully.Start with thorough degrease.Have seen many powder finishes fail in a short amount of time.once the coating becomes corrupted corrosion on steel and aluminum alloys travels under the coating.If it fails its almost impossible to remove to refinish.Then again I have seen it last in certain applications.I'm sure results vary with level of preperation. my.02