Taken my time restoring an LTD

[rcmatt007]

will keep that in mind, thanks. Actually I also have the OEM rear end (the bikes not mine). it does have after market shocks, but lets face it 35 year old shocks are probably shot.

Right now there is a thunder head over altus.... maybe.... just maybe

[rcmatt007]

I got the "aluminum" coloured powder coat and tested it on a peice of metal... (I know...useless without pics) and it is a tad darker than the honda engine colour. I would really prefer to powder coat the parts with the now-bad chrome rather than paint them, because of the durability issues

edited to add pictures

[rcmatt007]

well here is duplicolor compared to the powder coat.... while I sure would prefer powder cat durability the rattle can sure has a closest colour

[1CrazyMoFo]

day and night almost.

[rcmatt007]

yeah.... no way you could put a powder coat peice next to the OEM without it REALLY standing out

[rcmatt007]

I have moved this over to the resto forum

so I have taken out the plugs, taken off the radiator, the timing belt covers, spared some liqued wrench "down the hole" and it turns over just fine

take a look at what I found though....

left side timing belt cover (the black round thing is a fork cap that was jammed between the frame and timing belt)

check my ebay account as I will have some used timing belts for sale

threw in this picture "just because" The early wings had a timing belt cover like the bottom one, the later ones are like the top-off my 79 project) (and aftermarket chrome covers are like to top as well). Extra brownie points for those who know the difference and why.

[Whiskerfish]

you talking about the drain slots?

[rcmatt007]

yes, really obvious when you know they are there. the orginal wings did not have them and, when you see the rust (and water that drained) you can see why they were added.

[polkadot]

Rodger, I am enjoying your LTD thread. I would like to find a similar LTD one day and do the same. Keep the pics coming. I do however think it is time for a better title to your resto thread. Keep up the good work and I'll keep thinking cool thoughts for you Okies!

[rcmatt007]

changed the title of the thread.

I did order a different powder coat from eastwood. The first attempt was "cast aluminum" the new one is "brushed aluminum". I took a look at some "chroming" sites and I bet it would be about one ben per piece to re chrome them.... I may play a doctor on TV, but that ain't in the budget.

[Graham Cracker]

One ben per piece and then some, but it's the right thing to do. Don't wish you had but....

[rcmatt007]

the best, as you say, would be to send them off to re-chrome. (first I gotta finish paying off the bike). I have a couple of options. I still have some OEM covers I polished, which could go on, and these could be set aside for later. Or smooth and prep them and powder coat or paint the "aluminum" they were OEM

[Dog Boy]

Rodger are you trying to restore to original or slightly modified?

I personally (very biased towards original) would use the polished parts and run with it.

"Choose your weapon Sir"

AL

[reidransom]

Sleep All Day And Tinker All Night...

That's my method. Pictures never come out good, though. Also there's the skeeters to contend with.

[rcmatt007]

My plan is to make this as OEM as possible. Although, as I started on this thread, I know almost all of us chromed head and belt covers (and other parts as well) so they would look good and stand the test of time.