Retouch or repaint?

[San Arthur]

Gas spills and age damaged Zenaida´s paint specially the tank.


The fuel petcock got clogged and decided to take advantage of this and stripped the paint off the tank.


I went to the local radiator shop and dipped the tank in acid.


The tank had a very hard life, you can see lead patches all over it.



It needs a lot of work.



I´ll get there.



Brass was used too at some point. Bondo is a wonderful thing!



With some extra time in between projects I decided to take the fenders off too.



The fenders don´t look good either.



And yes, I striped the paint too. The problem is that I´m working on three bikes at the same time. Fortunately one of them needs paint too.





I never liked the looks of the triple clamp! I think I will clean it, retouch it or repaint it.



The question is, should I continue and repaint the frame. It still has the original paint, not like the tank and fenders. It looks fine.

What do you think?

[Slash2]

When it comes to original paint guys, it's either a complete original paint bike or it isn't. While I'd probably forgive a repainted small part, if the tank and tins have been painted, a frame ain't gonna make a difference in terms of desirability. At the point you're at, I'd just go whole hog and do the whole bike. Otherwise the nicks and bruises on your frame will start to stand out against your pretty new tank and fenders. That said, once you've torn the bike down to that point, you're going to start feeling obligated to do "this and that" and before you know it your hardware's headed off to the cad plating guy, you're installing a new harness and the full nut and bolt is underway.. So if you don't wanna go down that road I'd "slow your roll" before the full resto bug takes over.

[schrader7032]

The tins on my R25/2 were repainted by the previous owner, something I wish I could have avoided. But the frame is still original paint as far as I know. I like the fact that something on the bike is still original. And it really doesn't detract from the overall look IMO.

[malmac]

If every old BMW ever made was in perfect original condition, with low miles, then they would not be that desirable - you know supply and demand.

If someone has such a bike and the enjoyment of owning it is thinking about how much it is worth - then they should do what works for them.

So lots of different ways to skin a cat.

My take is that there is room for lots of different takes on owning a bike - maybe original, maybe restored, maybe just use it, maybe customise it, maybe collect one of every colour, maybe something else.

I think all in all most of the time we just love the old bikes in our own way.

[miller6997]

Unless you are aiming at a concours bike, just relax and do as you please. My '67 has been in the family since new. Ten years ago, it was authentically "original." Since then, I've been riding it a lot more, and I refurbish bits as they start looking shabby. The front fender got crunched, so I had it repaired and repainted. Similarly, the back portion of the rear fender developed a hairline crack near the hinge, so I fixed it and had it repainted. Same with the headlight shell. So now, the tank, frame, and most of the rear fender are original and everything else is adulterated. I have no idea how my fixes have affected the "value," and I don't really care.

[San Arthur]

I decided I´ll only repair and repaint the fenders and tank. Someone did work on them and the rust is getting into the front fender.
My rear fender also developed a crack line just beneath the stay and run horizontally.
The frame has the original paint and is in great shape it will need a lot of elbow grease to bring it back to life.
Any paint treatment suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Will send pictures of the rust and previous repairs after I finish sandblasting the fenders.

Saludos

[miller6997]

I had a vintage car painted a couple of years ago and used 3M machine polish, number 3, for the final buffing. It's a very mild abrasive that also worked wonders in restoring the gloss to my /2 frame. The full name is "3M 06068 Perfect-It Ultrafine Machine Polish." Expensive, but well worth it. Follow up with some good Meguiar's carnauba wax.

[San Arthur]

This is what I found beneath the paint and bondo. I think this was a previous accident.

The fenders have lots of holes drilled all over, I´ll filled them up with copper.

The inside will need work too.

I painted the bottom of the tank to test the paint booth and air gun. I´ll wait for the fenders and light bucket to be ready to paint all parts at the same part.


I think I´m still inside the minor repair threshold.

[San Arthur]

M I in too deep?


Have you heard, one more bolt, and that is it...






I guess I´ll fit the frame in the sandblasting cabinet and continue with the project.

[San Arthur]

I follow Duane Ausherman instructions to disassemble the shock absorbers.
http://www.w6rec.com/duane/bmw/shock/index.htm
I visited my friend and MB mechanic Dr. Leo for beer and assistance.



If you follow Duane´s link you will be able to read detailed and well written instructions.





I cant unscrew the shock from the mount. It just turns and turns.



I tried heat but nothing.



Any suggestions I don´t want to destroy the strut.

Thanks