polished belt cover

[stef]

i just took the belt cover off last sunday, and realised it was ally. to me, it just looked plastic !
this means it can me polished...has anyone done this ? if so, got a pic ? i am tempted.

[A Yerbury]

PD was going to do this, fine if you like shiny things, should be straightforward.

[Paranoid Dave]

i was indeed, but unfortunately they didn't fit the newer engine but if yours are ali to start with then polish away :D

PD

[norrie]

Yeah.
Our bike never had alloy covers but I got some off e-bay.
Had them polished along with the engine cases.
It looks really good.
I've not taken any pics yet.
If I get time later I'll take some.
I was looking at the Rizoma ones alooy and clear but they are so expensive.
I got the ones off e-bay for £5 and the polisher charged £10 to polish them.



Norrie.

[stef]

i'll wait for a pic before taking the jump.
looks like an easyjob, but irreversible unfortunately !

[A Yerbury]

not really, sand them a bit, prime and spray! black is the best option, shiny street in the uk is not an option kids, more of a west coast usa thang.

[norrie]

Shiny is not a problem as long as you dont use the bike everyday and throughout the winter.


Norrie.

[A Yerbury]

err pretty much echoing my previous post there norris! shiny stylee is fine then if used sporadically during british summer (2 weeks long average)

[norrie]

Here's a couple of pics as promised.
It was a dull day today so you cant really see how shiny they are but it gives you a good idea.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gillsducatimonster/images/6-picture1.gif?0.21759122669929698

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gillsducatimonster/images/6-picture3.gif?0.8405920344724915

Norrie.

[stef]

pass the sand paper..
nice job on the engine case too !
tsolright al.. i dont really ride in the rain, and i love the smell of autosol on a saturday morning.. smells of victory.

[stef]

just a small thing..
those sidepods..
what are they still doing on the bike ?

[norrie]

just a small thing..those sidepods what are they still doing on the bike?
What do you mean?



I also got the other engine case done.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gillsducatimonster/images/6-picture2.gif?0.7664488043827924

Also the valve and cam covers.


Norrie.

[stef]

that brings another question:
i need to do an oil change soon, and might take the oportunity while the engine is dry to remove the two engine covers. (i presume you cant take them off with the engine full of oil ?)

my question is:
is there a gasket on those covers that needs replacing each time you take them off ? (my CBR had)


as for the side pods, those grey plastic minging piece of italian bodging ?
(they are on the frame, just bellow the tank)
they only cover some electrical cabling and some breathers for the carbs...

[norrie]

Oh these things.
To be honest I've never even had a proper look at them.
Yes you need to drain the oil.
There is a gasket on the right side which you can re-use and you use instant gasket on the other side or golden Hermatite is what I used as it dosen't go hard.
Her's a pic of the valve covers.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/gillsducatimonster/images/5-picture2.gif?0.4543801621658605

If you want someone to polish the covers for you I can recommend GLM Polishers in Devon.
There very good and cheap.

Norrie.

[norrie]

Oh.
I also replaced all the bolts with stainless ones.

Norrie.