Yeah Mal, those front plates.... ive got one coming from DC which is a mini front plate with brackets in rm colour. Once i add the black number background it should be a nice replacement. I wont get to anal over it. Bike has everything else so i am happy.
Anyway, popped into the shed and took a few snaps.
As you can see below, from a distance the bike looks great but up close reveals some worn and rusty bits. They are not eaten away but just 35 years of general wear and surface rust. Anyway, these parts are the worst and the rest just need a touch up. The muffler probably copped the worst corrosion on the bike. Its is still in excellent condition but has a few small bits that have really corroded through. No worries.... after a good blast and clean, i will Devcon the affected area. This stuff is used in the mines to patch worn metal parts so im sure my rm80 wont mind. Anyway, i dont want to get weld or get any heat on it as it may warp. Stand by for the results....
I will be using my new blaster below... and the products that are sitting on it. I have tested the spray products for colour and durability etc and they seem great. I may powder coat some bits but these products will work fine with some as well.
The chain looked really bad and it is the original one from 77 so to me it was invaluable. It is riveted together so i kept it in one piece and soaked it... then i test buffed a small section. D.I.D 428 and it will come up nicely. I will finish it off then give it a light grease with that white stuff that the new bikes come with and it should look showroom.
OK, the tank. This was the one bit that i have been mulling over as it is the original paint job with original decals etc... But have a look at the pic and you can see the corrosion and this would be best to fix. I am going to remove the 3 original warning decals and save them on a clear contact sheet together with the vin decal. I have some OEM Suzuki decals and the 3 repro warning decals and i would like to get the tank repainted and clear coated withe all the new decals. Its a compromise but the tank should outlast me then...
Bike may have to take a back seat for a while as i have all my other stuff i have to do.. but its hard not to duck down to the shed.........
Cheers,
Alex