Polishing frame and swing arm...

[onelogue]

So I saw this bike locally for sale and I love the look of the polished aluminum, I have the same model of Buell in the picture.
Just wondering what would be the proper/best way to get the frame like this? Do I have to take the bike completely apart?

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff73/RJLogue/bike2.jpg
http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff73/RJLogue/bike.jpg

[xtremelow]

At very least you will have to take the body off and rear tire then cover everything else to keep the extra polish off it all.

Most important thing to getting a good shine it Time, don't rush it other wise it will be dull or you will use an over aggressive paper to get the powder coat of and score the frame leaving lines.

I would start wet sanding with a 1500 grit paper some were hidden to test and work your way to a finer paper. Once ready for polish if you cant get some industrial stuff i would recommend using polishing wheel with some Mothers Billet Polish. Make sure it is the billet polish not the aluminum since the shine will be very different.

[xtremelow]

Forgot, after you polish it up expect hours upon hours of cleaning and polish to maintain the look. After a wash you will need to hand dry immediatly otherwise water marks will be your worst enemy. Also plan to polish the bike once a month to maintain a nice shine. It won't be as in depth as the original setup but become huge chore each and wvry time.

Just think how often you polish just the lip on your bike's wheels and how much fun that is then times it but 100.

Good luck

[firechickenXB9R]

look at this
http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Polishing-my-xb-frame

[the_F_inator]

Anyone try Gasket Remover?

http://www.choppersurplus.com/global/articles/howtoremovepowdercoating.html

[the_F_inator]

I tried some permatex gasket remover on my left rearset today & it took off the powder coat like it was nothing :)

The castings are a bit on the rough side so you still have to go at it with a sander before polishing them up. I just did a quick & dirty sanding job. I'll hit it again tomorrow with finer paper & re-polish. Then it's time to start the frame :)
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2828_20090402213433_L.jpg

[firechickenXB9R]

The castings are very rough. I hit it with 280, 400, 600, 1000. polished right out after that.

[matt3dlondon]

Looking good!!

If anyone would like a polished swing arm i know where there is one for sale.

I work at a buell customizing shop in England its really cool to see what other people are doing to theirs.

ciao :)

[Kid1620]

Okay I'm currently in the process of polishing everything the gasket remover doesn't work the best and you would still have to sand to get the pit marks out if you Want a good shine. You have to use am aggressive grit to do that. I'm using 80grit and working my way up to 2000wet. Its a long tedious process and requires a lot of time.

[inFINite]

What if you try Nitromors -paint remover?

Here is an example in Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCnmLl43h8s