Yamaha swingarm and fork resto question

[philthy]

Hi,my 79YZ250f resto is underway.Does anyone know the best way to gain an original looking swingarm,were they painted from new or polished and clearcoated,which is the best method?Same with the forks?My swingarm and forks are a bit shabby so want to get the best result as this is a ground up restoration project.Hoping someone has done it before and got good results!   

[mainline]

i may be wrong but I think the swingarm was anodised silver, while the fork legs had a machined fiinish rather than polished.

Nathan's mate has restored/is restoring YZ's and if you want to know exactly how to do it have a squiz here

 http://www.yz125d.blogspot.com/


Depending on how far you want to go with the resto you could just strip the stuffed anodising off with some oven cleaner and sand/polish it up. I personally think the overly polished (mirror) parts look a bit overdone.

I just give the alloy parts a once over with some mag wheel polish every so often.

You can clear coat them, but given my occupation I'm not too keen on putting a clearcoat (varnish) on something that's going to be subject to abuse, cause when it chips or scratches you have to take it all off and start again. 

[rocketfrog]

the finish on your swing arm is painted silver from the factory, a metallic aluminium colour, same for the chain gaurd.

[shorelinemc]

vht wheel paint -silver is a good match for most jap alloy great for honda 4 cases

[wmc83]

Yes swingarms are painted the colour is called competition silver but good luck finding that I used autothane wheel silver and it looks tops. I think the forks are clear coated.

[philthy]

Thanks everyone,the hubs and triple clamps have been powdercoated,and the frame is being sandblasted and painted on Friday.I will get the swingarm painted next week so will let spraypainter know the colour.Shock and forks will be back next week from Shock Treatment,and motor has been started by HPF Racing,it is all starting to come together!

[YZ250H]

Yep, what rocketfrog and WMC said.  I used clear coat on my polished fork sliders and GMC metalic silver 2 pak with clear over the top.  I took the swingarm with the original paint into the paint shop to match it.  I am pretty happy with the end result.



Looking at that I am probably due for a few more progress pics 

Edit - can't spell frog 

[wmc83]

Heres how mine came out.

[YZ250H]

Shit hot WMC - is that a 125J ?

Looks like a great resto - well done

[wmc83]

Thanks mate its slow going but Im getting there I"ll post more photos when I have more progress.

[wmc83]

Sorry yes its a J.

[YZ250H]

Know the feeling on the slow going part, but it is worth taking the time to get it right.  I think the 125J is my all time favourite bike for looks.  I have one in the wings waiting for attention.  Will get to it one day.  After the 50H, 125H,  and 250C.  Keep going mate and show us some progress pics as you finish her off .

[philthy]

Great jobs,I'm starting to get exited,was thinking of sandblasting fork legs with low pressure and very fine media to get an even appearance and then clearcoating,now I'm not sure if I should'nt just polish and clearcoat!

[wmc83]

Who did you get your front and rear guards off YZ Im looking buying soon and nice job on the 250 a mate had one of those years ago nice ride.

[YZ250H]

You can still buy them form Yamaha.  They are not correct for H model, but are the right ones for J model.  Which reminds me I should buy some for myself.