Looking for advice on cleaning and painting engine case

[TR5ESU]

Hi,

First post! I was a user here about 7 years ago but haven't visited the site in years and I think my account eventually got deleted.

I have not used my F800GS for roughly the same amount of time and it has been parked in the drive way under a motorcycle cover all this time. I originally rode this bike off road quite a bit so aesthetically is not in in grape shape... mechanically it's all sound however.

I now have the time to dedicate to the bike again so I've set up some space to work on it and I plan to take apart as much as possible to clean, check, grease, etc... I took the sump guard off (I had a large AdventureSpec one on) and noticed that the sump guard and left side of the engine paint is coming off and there's white rust underneath.

I had noticed this on the starter but I thought it was limited to that (stones chipping the paint, salt on the roads, etc). It looks pretty much like this bike on this post: http://f800riders.org/forum/showthread.php/128546-F800GS-Engine-Casing-Corrosion

So I want to clean up the rust and paint the engine cases but I have no experience on this and was hoping someone here might have some advice. Taking the engine covers off, draining the engine, etc.

I searched the forum but couldn't find much information, if there's a thread on this already please just point me to it.

Thanks!

 

[TR5ESU]

Bump!

Here's what the left side of the engine looks like.. not as bad as I originally thought and the peeling seems to be limited to the sump cover:

So I might be able to just replace the sump cover and starter motors and get away with cleaning the rest of the engine.. we'll see.

I started a "F800GS Overhaul" thread over at advrider where I'll be posting pictures of my F800GS restoration, feel free to visit and comment!

Cheers

 

[Dean]

I have seen some bad ones the one you linked too and yours

I have Jay's bike now, it had a flaky starter motor. http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread...n-Starter-motor?highlight=starter+motor+paint

Always cleaned well with Jay and me. The bike sleeps in my garage I'm sure that helps it youthful looks and of course plenty of TLC.

Never had it on my F650, but had the carbon casing guards from TT.

For general cleaning a good supply of elbow grease helps with the clean and a deep clean helps a couple time a year bash plate off - front sprocket cover off Loads of Elbow Grease until It shines like a new one.

Right now its a dirty beast, ACF50 doing it's thing.

Good luck with your restore, pop a link to it here

 

[Q plate]

Paint

Had a similar condition with my bike when I bought it a couple of years back. I didn't go the proper route & remove the sump or cases but I did take the starter off wire brushed, flatted a bit & painted with satin black. I used gunk as a cleaner and a compressor to blow all the loose flakes off then drowned it all in panel wipe. Sprayed in where I could and Acf50 since and it's fine. BMW sump guard covers most of it anyway

 

[TR5ESU]

I am still putting the bike apart.. it seems that leaving the bike outside (under a biker cover) without moving for too long has let the rust do quite the work on it.
I am running into seized bolt left and right.. Swinging arm will probably need replacing (used ones going for about £100 on eBay) as I snapped a chain adjuster bolt inside the swinging arm.

Biggest problem at the moment is the swinging arm pivot bolt.. the bush bearings (or the needle sleeve) are rust welded to the bolt.. they spin with the bolt as I turn it, but stop the bolt from sliding out.

Here is a link to the restoration thread: www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1060831

Cheers!

 

[slparry]

Clean off corrosion with this

wipe with milk to etch the surface

paint with a decent satin casing paint

 

[TR5ESU]

Ahh thanks!
I had seen this method posted somewhere when I was looking for information. I am seriously considering it now!
I'll need to look into an air compressor I suppose. I don't have a lot of uses for one so I'll have to weigh it against taking the engine somewhere to get sandblasted and powder coated.
Cheers!

 

[Dean]

Clean off corrosion with this

wipe with milk to etch the surface

paint with a decent satin casing paint

That's a good vid the Tropicana system, was a bit elaborate. another vid there for the guy that rebuilds the carbs his system looks much easier

What kind of milk is best ?

 

[TR5ESU]

I am still debating whether to have the engine powder coated (which would require taking apart I guess) or clean it the best I can as it is and paint it myself.. any thoughts?

 

[Bem]

Given the age of the bike (similar to mine) what is the reasoning behind pulling it all apart to powder coat? I will continue to do my annual touch-ups on the side casing, and brushing off "down below". Powder coating will not show any cost benefit at trade0in or resale.
Just my pennyworth.

 

[TR5ESU]

Given the age of the bike (similar to mine) what is the reasoning behind pulling it all apart to powder coat? I will continue to do my annual touch-ups on the side casing, and brushing off "down below". Powder coating will not show any cost benefit at trade0in or resale.
Just my pennyworth.

That's a good point Bem. The thing is, I don't think I am going to exchange or sell this bike. Taking apart the engine at this stage might be a bit too much and I might be able to just spray it without taking it apart. The corrosion on the pain is lot more spread than you can see on that picture.. I'll get some clear shots when I get to clean it up this week.

Giving the bike this full overhaul is part of getting that enthusiasm of getting ready to ride this bike again .

Cheers!