Polish Engine Cases?

[TFWG]

Greetings all! I had my engine glass bead blasted and it looks great with the bare aluminum. I have it all assembled now and I was wondering if polishing the engine is worth the hassle? Right now keeping the engine clean is pretty easy. But if it's polished, will I have to keep polishing it every week to keep it that way? To polish or not to polish?

 

[redlinedave]

do it

 

[mspringer]

Post some pictures, I can't decide what to do with mine.

 

[RustyOlive]

hmmm? i just did this with my rear hub as well. and oddly.. I've been asking the same question in my head..
do I and how do I clean, polish and keep looking as good as it is now?

 

[Dirty Dan]

It's going to be a lot of work to keep it looking new shiny and fresh and bling-tastic if you plan on riding it often.

I don't like the ultra-shiny looking bikes, just not a big fan. For that reason, and conveniences sake, I'd choose to polish some things but leave the majority of the engine painted. That's just me though. If you like polishing a lot it would certainly look like you put a lot of effort into it....that and really damn shiny.

 

[TFWG]

This is how my engine looks currently. I'll be riding it basically only on the weekends and storing it indoors. So far I've polished the forks and the front wheel hub. I just don't want to start polishing the engine and regret it and then have to polish everything else just to make it look right...

 

[Rocan]

takes. so. much time.

the whole crankcase and other parts took about 150 hours... of course, im nuts

 

[TFWG]

Thanks for the advice Rocan. Based on that 150 hour number, I think I'll keep it how it is for now. It just made such a big difference on the wheels and the forks I thought it might be a good idea to polish the engine, but it may be more effort than it's worth...

 

[teazer]

Polishing crankcases reduces the surface are and reduces the thermal conductivity. the net result is a slightly hotter running engine. they are very difficult and time consuming to keep clean.

I'm sure someone will suggest using a clear coat on them and that further reduces heat transfer.

That's all nuts IMHO.

 

[eightsevenzero]

150 hours....man thats like a whole bike build for me lol

 

[swan]

TWFG, no, do not polish. If you want a chromosexual bike, buy a Harley.

 

[scm]

Don't you! Polished parts on a bike must not be bigger than an alternator cover!

Best regards
Sven

 

[TFWG]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll leave the polishing for the Harley guys...

I kinda feel like an idiot. I built my cafe racer from the ground up for the last 4 months and only heard of DCC two days ago. Would have saved me a few headaches along the way...