Salzburg '73 CB350 - Update: wiring harness finish, odds and ends

[LtGeorge]

Only a slight amount.  I mainly modified the frame.  I ground down the top seam and welded it shut.  I also ground down the two tank mount studs about 1/4" and narrowed the stock rubber mounts.

Do you think I could get away with just beating the seam down? grinding and welding back together are a bit farther than my skill set allows me to go

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Do you think I could get away with just beating the seam down? grinding and welding back together are a bit farther than my skill set allows me to go

I really don't see how you could beat down that seam.  It's very thick metal.  You could probably grind it down to the top of the pinch welds and then beat in the bottom of the tank.

[LtGeorge]

would that weaken the frame any?

[broncoboy79]

Yes. Do it the right way and be done with it.

[Easyduzit]

Nice build so far.  Will def keep watching the progress.

[MatthiasSalzburg]

I'm testing some paint that I will be using for my engine & wheel hubs.  Since I come from an aviation background I'm testing to see if the adhesion of paint is aided by the commonly used Alodine 1201 chromic acid-based chemical coating.

I have two kinds of 6061 aluminum test strips, shiny and bead blasted.


Test strips 6061 aluminum by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

First I used Metal Prep 79.  It's a non-flammable multi-purpose phosphoric acid-based cleaner and pre-paint conditioner for most metals.  Application leaves the surface chemically clean and corrosion free.


Metal prep 79 and Alodine 1201 by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

After a good water rinse I let them dry and then applied the Alodine solution.


Alodine 1201 conversion coating by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

I also tested two strips with only the Metal Prep and no Alodine solution.  If the paint holds up well with just the acid cleaner than maybe the Alodine can be omitted as a cost savings step.

The paint I'm testing is VHT High Temp engine enamel and VHT Wheel paint.  Both are cast aluminum color.  I'll let them dry and then bake the engine paint at 200F for 1 hour.  The wheel paint needs no baking.  I'll test them by scratches, hammer blows, and chemicals (brake cleaner & gas).

[Bozz]

great info!


Looking forward to the results.
Thanks for the methodical approach.  I hope your results are as high quality as your method...

[Shred_McGnar]

Now that's some science there!

[DonPedro]

Gesendet von meinem GT-I9300 mit Tapatalk 2

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Well the engine paint is dry (waited 7 days like label says) and will bake 200F for 1 hour.

I tested a couple of pieces with the wheel paint (doesn't require baking) and the non pre-treated pieces didn't fare to well.  The paint flaked off very easily.  However, even on very shiny & smooth pieces that were treated the paint didn't flake.

Will do final testing in the next few days.

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Rally stripes by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

Also testing out some rally stripes on the tank.


Rally stripes by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

Bought some Chroma base+clear paint.  Red and white.  I have already shot on the white in prep for making my stripes.


tank and tail with white by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

[MatthiasSalzburg]

I'm also mounting my EX500 Ninja twin piston caliper.  I had to make a new mounting plate out of some thick steel plate and weld it to the Ninja plate.


Caliper mount plate by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr


Modifying caliper mount by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

Big thanks to djelliott for the tip!  The EX500 rotor mounts to the CB350 rotor hub just fine.  I used stock ninja mounting bolts (but will need to shorten).  They are special shouldered bolts, but plentiful on ebay.


Untitled by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Woohoo my new IKONs came in the mail today!


Untitled by Matthias Salzburg, on Flickr

[johnd900]

Great thread, explanations, and pics.  I'll definitely be following along.  Will you please explain a bit what "seam welds" are and why you did them?

[MatthiasSalzburg]

Great thread, explanations, and pics.  I'll definitely be following along.  Will you please explain a bit what "seam welds" are and why you did them?

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/seam+weld

The bike has spot welds on the top tube (under the gas tank).  I had to grind down the seam to fit my gsx250 tank and weld the seam back together.