honda restoration

[jon-eastanglia]

greetings folks,

im pondering what would be suitable for my old honda c90, im restoring. I assumed bead blasting, then galvanizing from the same company would be a good method of future rust protection, though i dont want to risk a terrible coat of galv and distortion/deforming the frame by the high temperature, and thin metal.
The frame is mainly 1-4 mm pressed steel/steel tube spot welded/seam welded.. the main parts are frame which includes the rear mudguard section, swingarm, and front forks..

So im looking for underpaint alternatives that give a smooth finish, and will stop rust coming through the paint for many years to come.

I was going to go with sussex blast services for galvanizing.

Any other suggestions? im looking for an excellent finish, and will then go onto get it properly electronically painted.

thanks

 

[English Steve]

Hi Jon, I think galv would probably cause more problems than it cures in this case. As you rightly say, there is a very real risk of distortion, and you won't get an even / smooth finish to paint over. You would probably also need to either plug or re-drill the holes for swinging arm etc, which rather defeats the object as there will be bare steel remaining.
I would think a light bead blast followed by a decent paint system would be the way to go, although I am by no means an expert on finishes.

 

[jon-eastanglia]

thanks, i agree, its a shame because if it didnt distort the metal it would be a great rust preventative. though difficult to block off all the bolt holes etc.. I will get it properly painted, though im looking for something that can go under the paint sprayed on with the same company, or dipped in the electrolyte chemical bath of some sort to get in all the gaps.

 

[English Steve]

I suppose it could be zinc plated then painted. That should give a thin, even coating and the process doesn't involve heat. I don't know what sort of key you would get for the paint - it might pay to speak to your proposed painters and see what they suggest.

Good luck

 

[jon-eastanglia]

i have researched this now and think that would do well, i found another reputable company that can do grit/bead blasting, electro hot zinc spraying, and electro powder coating so i think il send the bits off to them. The zinc coating gives similar results to galvanizing but a smoother finish, stopping rust by oxidising, though forms a good 'undercoat' when masked by the powder coating stopping it forming the oxide. Il pop some pictures on to see the results later, just want to get it treated so i can go touring a bit after finishing restoring without it rusting..

thanks

 

[fingers99]

I'd be inclined to scrap it (horrible, horrible nasty things, genuinely unsafe at any speed) but failing that, look at getting it chemically dipped and E coated (the process generally used for classic cars).

It's much less harsh than blasting (and the blaster won't use bead, whatever they tell you, but grit) and the process is closer to that Honda will have used all those years ago.

You can then get it painted in 2 pack, which will be almost as tough as powder coating but without the dimpled (and rather dull) finish powder coating always seems to leave.

A few reputable firms seem to advertise in Practical Classics, Practical Performance Car, etc.

I've powder coated a bike frame in the past -- I'd never do it again after seeing how much better it looks in 2 pack. And the Honda -- well, that Honda -- is built far more like a car than a bike.

 

[jon-eastanglia]

i think they are lovely, reliable, comfy Pretty things, i have three this is a red 6v c90 a 12v and another brown 6v.
I will look into chemical diPPing, otherwise hot zinc sPraying looks good, i didnt think Powder coating would look that good, but i think you have convinced me with two Pack, so looks like two sePerate comPanies.
Any quality two Pack Painters you can recommend?

thanks

 

[Damaged]

Each to their own and all but I don't understand why anybody would want to preserve a C90 or any other step through!

Had a C90 20 years ago when I wasn't old enough for a "proper" bike.

Having said that I don't understand why anybody would want a Harley either!

 

[jon-eastanglia]

i prefer them to bigger bikes, they have a great fuel economy, they are designed to carry a pillion even, their ancestor the supercub was produced all over the world totalling 60billion, a nice scenic speed of around 45-55mph, very simple to fix, the first one i bought was the other side of manchester, i rode it home in two days 250 miles without any problems. there is a group of about 40 who bimble around wales on them each year, great fun, people have travelled the world on them. I think i will go travelling on mine, i would like to take the 33 year old brown c90 around europe. To me, the best bike of all time.

 

[Damaged]

Fair enough,

I think I'll stick to my ZX10R.

Please post piccies of your restoration though, a project is a project!

 

[weldequip]

their ancestor the supercub was produced all over the world totalling 60billion

So everybody on the planet has owned over 10 each?!
weldequip

 

[English Steve]

I had a C50 in my youth. I won the Waterlooville MCC 'most miles in a year without an accident' trophy on it. All those guys who went touring round Europe on their BMWs and Pans were well upset - I just rode my little C50 to work every day and wherever else I needed to go.
Riding in snow was 'interesting', it piled up against the legshields and kept lifting the front wheel off the ground . Happy memories

 

[Robotstar5]

Riding in snow was 'interesting', it piled up against the legshields and kept lifting the front wheel off the ground . Happy memories

I used to hate it when a car had turned into a side road and I had to follow the rut, turn round when I could then back to the main road!

 

[Rusty]

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Quote:
their ancestor the supercub was produced all over the world totalling 60billion

So everybody on the planet has owned over 10 each?!
weldequip

60 billion produced , dont mean to say they sold em all !