Restoring rims


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tevan
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Restoring rims

Post by tevan »

Has anybody restored any 79 rims? If so what is the process?

daves79x
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by daves79x »

There's a thread here about Copper Collar's rim restoration. Should be easy to search up.

Dave

EMS
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by EMS »

I have not done it myself, I know people who had the Comstars powder coated. Also, years ago someone tried a new product that gave a chrome-like finish on silver Comstars. His report is somewhere on CBXWorld.
Only thing that I have done is a thorough cleaning.

jnnngs
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by jnnngs »

Hi,

Well I haven't finished yet with mine, but this is how I have gone about it.

For me, the wheels were reasonable condition with the "spokes" being pretty good, but the "rims" being torn up with tyre lever damage etc. I wanted to get as close to original finish as I could, and didn't want a mirror polished finish which was one option.

So, I used "wet and dry" on the rims to sand out all the damage - started with 120 grit, then 240, 400, 600 and finished with 1000 grit. Then gave a light polish with aluminium polish.

The results seem pretty good - somewhere between original finish and mirror polished. Not an exact match by any means but don't look too bad. Need to see what they look like on the bike once tyres and discs etc are back on.

Some pictures...
20150324_095403.jpg
20150324_095349.jpg
20150420_154514.jpg
Will post more pictures once back on the bike in the next few weeks.

Paul.
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NobleHops
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by NobleHops »

Nice job Paul!
Nils Menten
Tucson, Arizona, USA '80 CBX, sort-of restored :-)

daves79x
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by daves79x »

Yes! Fantastic.

Dave

tevan
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by tevan »

jnnngs wrote:Hi,

Well I haven't finished yet with mine, but this is how I have gone about it.

For me, the wheels were reasonable condition with the "spokes" being pretty good, but the "rims" being torn up with tyre lever damage etc. I wanted to get as close to original finish as I could, and didn't want a mirror polished finish which was one option.

So, I used "wet and dry" on the rims to sand out all the damage - started with 120 grit, then 240, 400, 600 and finished with 1000 grit. Then gave a light polish with aluminium polish.

The results seem pretty good - somewhere between original finish and mirror polished. Not an exact match by any means but don't look too bad. Need to see what they look like on the bike once tyres and discs etc are back on.

Some pictures...
20150324_095403.jpg
20150324_095349.jpg
20150420_154514.jpg
Will post more pictures once back on the bike in the next few weeks.

Paul.
wow them look great... How many days do you have in them?.

jnnngs
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by jnnngs »

Hi,

Sorry, been away for a few days.

Each wheel took me:
- 5 grit sizes
- it takes circa 60 minutes to do the rim on one side of a wheel for each grit size
- so, 5 x 60 minutes x 2 sides per wheel. Call it about 10 hours per wheel!

Not a quick process - I did it by hand (used a flap wheel for the major damaged areas, but went over by hand after). I am sure there could be quicker ways of doing it...

Paul.

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CopperCollar
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Re: Restoring rims

Post by CopperCollar »

Oven Cleaner will remove the anodizing and making the sanding go easier. Be sure to mask off any painted or anodized areas you do not want to strip.
When given the choice between being right or being kind; choose kindness. W. Dyer

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