85' 250R Rebuild Frame Base Coated!

[NewfieBish]

Well, I finally decided it was time for a rebuild on my 1985 250R. Spent the last couple of nights tearing it down to the frame to get ready for sandblasting. I took the swingarm off and found that the needle bearings in the front of the swingarm were like dust :lol: The the axle spines that keep the brake hub and lock nuts in place were all stripped, so I took a picture of the way the axle was being held in, with some tacks of weld on the inner lock nut! I have decided to take the top off the motor, and the left and right side cases, and prime and paint the whole motor this way. The frame, swingarm, and smaller things like hubs and handlebars, etc, im still debating between paint or powder. I'd be doing paint myself, however powder I'd have to get someone else to do. Any idea's on how to prep the motor for paint? There's some old OEM paint on some places of the motor and I was wondering about how to strip it.

[TLR-Online]

Nice project!

I would powder coat anything you can. I had the same dilema... Paint is cheaper and you can do it yourself, but it makes you so mad when it chips or comes off after spending hours to get it looking good.

As far as the engine, clean it extremely well. I usually use simple green foam to clean it. You can then take a red scotch brite pad and scuff up the old paint a little, so the new paint sticks. Make sure you take the time to tape everything properly. Lately i have been using black caliper spray paint. It is good upto 500* and has ceramic in it... It has held up good so far.

[NewfieBish]

Thanks, the motor's mainly what I was wondering about, hopfully I can find somewhere here local who can powdercoat! Should be a simple rebuild in any case! That wiring harness defenitely gotta be fixed up too lol

[MagicJames]

Is that a west-coast swinger i see in the background?

Good luck!! looks to be a nice restoration.

[aldochina]

that thing deff. looks like it could use some TLC. keep the updates coming.

[harryredtrike]

do a good job no matter which way you go.if paint is your way,the prep is everything.more important than the paint.

[NewfieBish]

thanks guys, its not a west coast swinger, ive been asked it before, just a stock one painted white.. I was debating on painting it white, gold or red, or powder, yo know whatever it is. This week ill be clearing tha frame and swinger of old paint and prepping for paint or powder, found a guy in my area that does powder so hopefully he doesnt charge too too much!

[Buster Brown]

thanks guys, its not a west coast swinger, I've been asked it before, just a stock one painted white.. I was debating on painting it white, gold or red, or powder, yo know whatever it is. This week ill be clearing that frame and swinger of old paint and prepping for paint or powder, found a guy in my area that does powder so hopefully he doesn't charge too too much!

Here are some powdered parts I've done, for a little inspiration! Good luck , man!


http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/Picture009.jpg
BEFORE

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/1stdaykindergarten027.jpg
AFTER

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/frolicandfarm074.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/frolicandfarm065.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/ebay12705059.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/Picture012.jpg

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/pp334/k10seibel/37307939.jpg

[MudBug]

hey NewfieBish, if you ever need a place to ride the restored r, hit me up lol

[NewfieBish]

Hey so I am currently in the process of making a deal to buy a used axle from a 1985 ATC250R for my trike. My trike has an 86' Swingarm, however when I looked the axle over that I have now, It looks like I have an axle and carrier from an 85' 250R. I was just wondering, can you guys help me identify the year of this axle that I currently have now? I don't want to buy this axle from an 86' and have to go and get a new carrier, since the one I have now is a pretty decent looking aluminum one. Thanks in advance guys, this rear-end is getting to be a pain in my own rear-end :lol:

[ZLEEHW]

The axle I have is a 1985 complete axle set-up

[MagicJames]

from what i see, and prior knowledge, that looks like a 86

[NewfieBish]

so how can you tell an 86 axle from an 85 axle? anybody?

[Mr. Clean]

The brake stay in your pictures is from an 86. The sprocket stay on the axle is definitely 86. Pics in the below auctions tell the story.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-HONDA-ATC250R-ATC-250-R-250R-REAR-AXLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5acfa06e49QQitemZ3 90030454345QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-250R-250-R-ATC250R-ATC-Rear-Axle_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a3fa8d7cQQitemZ2 30384373116QQptZMotorsQ5fATVQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[NewfieBish]

alright so I pretty well got the frame and swinger ready for paint, just got to sandblast in some nooks and crannies.. I'm gonna use auto paint for the job; because to get something like an atv frame and peripherals powdered here in Newfoundland apparently isn't cheap at all.. So anyhow, I think I'm going to use white primer, a base coat of some sort (haven't decided what type of paint, OEM colors though, aside from a white swinger) and a lacquer clear coat after for strength. What kind of paint should I look for to use as a base coat?

[atc sam]

85-86 axles will interchange the only difference is the taper on the 86 is thicker so you need to use the washer that slides over the snap ring is the same year.

[NewfieBish]

So what do you guys do with your frames while you paint them? How do you hang them so to say haha, can't really think of the way to do it

[pipeline triker]

I like them hung level, the way it will sit when assembeled. That way the parts that are seen the most will be the easeist to paint. Also about cheast height that way you are in a good working position. I like to use small wire, you can spray right through it with out getting build up.

[Mr. Clean]

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/miked1957_photo/DSC_1618.jpg

[NewfieBish]

sweet! that's an awesome idea. just finished sandblasting tonight, should be ready to prime and paint now. post some pics when i get a coat on it!

[MudBug]

sounds like its going to be a good build!

[trikerooster]

Ive heard of some old timers using barbecue paint? I have never used it.

[NewfieBish]

Alright so the frame has been primed and painted with a good base coat, now I have to prime and paint the swingarm, and all the peripherals (hubs, motor mounts, triples, etc.) then once it's all been primed and base coated, the clear lacquer comes in! It takes way longer to sandblast and wire wheel a frame than I thought, but I'm really glad I done it because now the frame looks way smoother than if I had to have left some paint on it! Here's the near finished product without clearcoat!

[jpatey44]

will you sell er