polished cases and valve covers

jerry · 24-07-2018, 06:19 PM

https://postimg.cc/gallery/1fpjv838w/

My M750 2000 with 1997 polished valve covers

Darkness · 24-07-2018, 06:31 PM

Very pretty. Is that a polish on the standard bits, it a shiny applied coating?

24-07-2018, 08:12 PM

Very impressed, is that the bare metal or lacquered ?

Flip · 24-07-2018, 08:23 PM

I like that a lot- there's something 'honest' about bare metal cases that once they've dulled down (unless it's a show bike) and got a bit of patina to them makes a bike look used and classy like the bikes of the '70's and '80's unlike the (peeling) paint favoured in more recent years.

It's definitely what I'd do to mine rather than repaint them when they get too bad.

jerry · 24-07-2018, 08:33 PM

All the anthracite grey factory powder coat was going bad after 18 years so had them all stripped and then polished ,, yes its bare ally and its stunning ,, a bit of solvol and elbow grease will keep it that way ,,the valve covers came from a early monster

could have the footrest hangers done but thats more fiddly ,, the swing arm is steel so not polished

jerry · 24-07-2018, 08:36 PM

was not sure how to get all the photos to load from postimage thats why i put the link

350TSS · 24-07-2018, 10:02 PM

Lovely, it has inspired me to attempt the same when I get round to doing my 750SS

Mr Gazza · 24-07-2018, 11:22 PM

Very nice Jerry. I'm a big fan of polished ally.

The Pantahs were delivered like that.

mickj · 25-07-2018, 09:32 AM

In the old days that worked well, bare ally (just take a look at any brit bike) but unfortunately most modern ally has so many impurities manufacturers have to paint them as they don't age well usually turning black unless you are constantly cleaning/polishing them.

Jez900ie · 25-07-2018, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjgt

In the old days that worked well, bare ally (just take a look at any brit bike) but unfortunately most modern ally has so many impurities manufacturers have to paint them as they don't age well usually turning black unless you are constantly cleaning/polishing them.

Well I can tell you that 2002 aluminium used on Ducati swing arms does not contain enough impurities to turn it black - just in case you were wondering!

350TSS · 25-07-2018, 09:04 PM

The swinging arm is anodised

utopia · 26-07-2018, 08:19 AM

I also love a bit of polished ally.
As Flip says, there's a certain honesty and simplicity about it and it has that shed-built-special quality.
I'm doing the minor parts on my 750 engine (valve and cam covers) one by one as the original paint peels.
I also smoothed the welds and mirror polished the ally swingarm that I fitted a couple of years ago.
It doesn't like the winter salt very much but hopefully it wont be seeing much winter use now my thumper is rebuilt.

Looking good, Jerry.
Just one thing with the belt covers ....
I did a belt change on Hellcat's 600 a few years ago and she had ally belt covers on a later type motor.
I'm not sure if they were original Ducati items or aftermarket but I discovered that the fit wasn't perfect and unless they were spaced out with washers, the vertical case fouled the tensioner/idler roller and prevented it turning.
One belt was shiny on its outer surface where it had been rubbing.
I'm sure you would notice such a thing at fitting time, but I mention it anyway just in case.

jerry · 05-08-2018, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by utopia

I also love a bit of polished ally.
As Flip says, there's a certain honesty and simplicity about it and it has that shed-built-special quality.
I'm doing the minor parts on my 750 engine (valve and cam covers) one by one as the original paint peels.
I also smoothed the welds and mirror polished the ally swingarm that I fitted a couple of years ago.
It doesn't like the winter salt very much but hopefully it wont be seeing much winter use now my thumper is rebuilt.

Looking good, Jerry.
Just one thing with the belt covers ....
I did a belt change on Hellcat's 600 a few years ago and she had ally belt covers on a later type motor.
I'm not sure if they were original Ducati items or aftermarket but I discovered that the fit wasn't perfect and unless they were spaced out with washers, the vertical case fouled the tensioner/idler roller and prevented it turning.
One belt was shiny on its outer surface where it had been rubbing.
I'm sure you would notice such a thing at fitting time, but I mention it anyway just in case.

yes I see that is a possibility and am monitoring it ,, kept the old belts on and after a few rides will take the covers off and check and put the new belts in etc

Jez900ie · 06-08-2018, 04:39 AM

Yeah it was...

upload to album

jerry · 06-08-2018, 11:52 AM

I had the ally swingarm on my S4 polished in Thailand about 8 years ago and its still shiny

24-07-2018, 06:19 PM	#1
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,832	polished cases and valve covers https://postimg.cc/gallery/1fpjv838w/ My M750 2000 with 1997 polished valve covers __________________ MONSTERMAN Last edited by jerry; 24-07-2018 at 06:22 PM..

24-07-2018, 06:31 PM	#2
Darkness . Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stockbridge Bike: M900 Posts: 1,984	Very pretty. Is that a polish on the standard bits, it a shiny applied coating? __________________ Original and Best since 1993

24-07-2018, 08:23 PM	#4
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	I like that a lot- there's something 'honest' about bare metal cases that once they've dulled down (unless it's a show bike) and got a bit of patina to them makes a bike look used and classy like the bikes of the '70's and '80's unlike the (peeling) paint favoured in more recent years. It's definitely what I'd do to mine rather than repaint them when they get too bad. __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

24-07-2018, 08:33 PM	#5
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,832	All the anthracite grey factory powder coat was going bad after 18 years so had them all stripped and then polished ,, yes its bare ally and its stunning ,, a bit of solvol and elbow grease will keep it that way ,,the valve covers came from a early monster could have the footrest hangers done but thats more fiddly ,, the swing arm is steel so not polished __________________ MONSTERMAN

24-07-2018, 08:36 PM	#6
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,832	was not sure how to get all the photos to load from postimage thats why i put the link __________________ MONSTERMAN

24-07-2018, 08:12 PM	#3
Moco1961 Guest Posts: n/a	Very impressed, is that the bare metal or lacquered ?

24-07-2018, 10:02 PM	#7
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,421	Lovely, it has inspired me to attempt the same when I get round to doing my 750SS

24-07-2018, 11:22 PM	#8
Mr Gazza Lord of the Rings Join Date: May 2013 Location: Norwich Bike: M900sie Posts: 5,853	Very nice Jerry. I'm a big fan of polished ally. The Pantahs were delivered like that. __________________

25-07-2018, 09:32 AM	#9
mickj Registered User Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Clevedon Bike: M1200s Posts: 560	In the old days that worked well, bare ally (just take a look at any brit bike) but unfortunately most modern ally has so many impurities manufacturers have to paint them as they don't age well usually turning black unless you are constantly cleaning/polishing them. __________________ Keep the rubber side down. Mick

25-07-2018, 09:04 PM	#11
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,421	The swinging arm is anodised

26-07-2018, 08:19 AM	#12
utopia No turn left unstoned Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: leicester Bike: M750 Posts: 4,546	I also love a bit of polished ally. As Flip says, there's a certain honesty and simplicity about it and it has that shed-built-special quality. I'm doing the minor parts on my 750 engine (valve and cam covers) one by one as the original paint peels. I also smoothed the welds and mirror polished the ally swingarm that I fitted a couple of years ago. It doesn't like the winter salt very much but hopefully it wont be seeing much winter use now my thumper is rebuilt. Looking good, Jerry. Just one thing with the belt covers .... I did a belt change on Hellcat's 600 a few years ago and she had ally belt covers on a later type motor. I'm not sure if they were original Ducati items or aftermarket but I discovered that the fit wasn't perfect and unless they were spaced out with washers, the vertical case fouled the tensioner/idler roller and prevented it turning. One belt was shiny on its outer surface where it had been rubbing. I'm sure you would notice such a thing at fitting time, but I mention it anyway just in case.

06-08-2018, 04:39 AM	#14
Jez900ie Pleasantly surprised! Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Stoke on Trent Bike: M900ie Posts: 780	Yeah it was... upload to album __________________ Monsters don't hide under the bed, they sleep inside the shed

06-08-2018, 11:52 AM	#15
jerry Old Git Join Date: May 2006 Location: Cricklade Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 2,832	I had the ally swingarm on my S4 polished in Thailand about 8 years ago and its still shiny __________________ MONSTERMAN