Pinch off another loaf

Couple days ago the weather hit those two magic winter days that outdoor painting can be done, so I ground, sanded, flap-wheeled, and wire brushed the frame. Then, alcohol and acetone wipe-down, etching primer and Rustoleum black appliance epoxy (really an enamel). Hanging from the garage ceiling curring, now.

A PO had mounted a '79 tail light on my '78 project, but without the '79 turn signals - just the stalks. And, there's rust in places. So, I cut the "tangs" off and spun inserts on the lathe tapped 10x1.25 - same as a pair of signals that I had left over from previous work. Then used abrasive plastic wheel to remove rust, loose chrome, and rough-up remaining chrome. I taped off the chrome that remains good (most of the visible chrome is Ok) and put it in the growing pile awaiting more weather for painting.
 
I may or may not have some wing turn signals. I'll need to look at a picture and compare as I can't remember if they were on a wing. If they are wing, they are likely for a 79.
 
I may or may not have some wing turn signals. I'll need to look at a picture and compare as I can't remember if they were on a wing. If they are wing, they are likely for a 79.
The front and rear are the same - just different stalks. '75 - '79 were round, '79 kinda rectangle. I'm looking for a set of '79 signals for my summer DD. They will go on the front, just need to attach the ears that I cut off this taillight to the headlight ears (seems everyone hacksawed the ears off to mount Vetters). For the project bike, I'll just mount aftermarket (Chinabay) dignals front and rear. Adapters for front signals on the '78 are much easier as there are nuts welded into the headlight ears for Honda's stalks to thread into (the '75 - '78 signals clamp on to serrated stalks). I can spin aluminum adapters out on the lathe pretty quick. I used to have a spare set of long '75 - '78 stalks and signals, but gave them away last Fall. If you have a set of '79 signals, I'd be interested for the '79 summer bike.
 
Nathan, are these Wing turn signals? If so do you want them?
 

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funny, my 79 came with the round ones?
Seems Honda played around (or POs), but the '79 model changed to the rectangular ones (even on May '78 production bikes). So many '79 headlight ears out there with ugly hacksawn ear stubs due to the Vetters. The '79s mount funny with a screw with a tall head that goes down through the black rubber part into the "tang" that sticks out from the brake light housing or headlight ears. '79 also had a much larger two-bulb tail light. Canada models might be different.
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Are you a Turtle?
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Without an engine hoist or some overhead lift, thought the easiest way to get to the bottom for cleaning/prepping/painting is to just roll it over. On the Hunley, I didn't have the heads on it so it could be rolled on each side. Valve and belt covers will be polished when the painting is finished. The heads will be masked and not painted.
 
With the engine on its back for clean/prep/paint, I remembered that I had only removed the exhaust gaskets from the right side. So, I pulled gaskets. And pulled, and pulled. Total three per cylinder. Is that enough?

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I am surprised the extra exhaust gaskets hadn't created so much vacuum that it sucked the wood screws out of the float bowls. Definitely a master mechanic had worked on that bike!
 
Not happy with the POR-15 engine enamel this time. The aluminum color doesn't level well like the MG Maroon did, and although I spent about a half-hour stirring it, came out very streaked looking. It will do as this is not a true restoration, just a rescue.
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brushing metallics is no bueno in most cases... I know it's never worked for me.
 
I had read that Steve Sanders (Irish GL guru) just brushes on aluminum paint on his rebuilds. Must be a very different paint. And the POR-15 doesn't have spray or even thinning instructions. Humidity was good (in our basement garage with pretty low humidity outdoors, too). I'll just rattle-can VHT or Duplicolor next time aluminum is called for. This will do for this one. A LOT better than it was!
 
You can get away with it if you thin it to give it more time to level. Thinning helps flow, so the metal particles smooth out and blend.
 
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