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 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!



BEFORE


AFTER

[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

[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-...Q5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda...Q5fAccessories

[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?