New to engines and motorcycles

[avkent]

Like my other posts, I get it, I'm new to motorcycles and holding a wrench. I'm learning.

I'm trying to send my engine my engine off to be powder coated (same with my swing arm if i can ever get it off), but I don't really know what can and can't stay in during the process. And honestly no idea how to take the engine apart (without messing something up). Anyone know of any guides or have any tips themselves?

[Jonesz]

I would clean up the engine (very thoroughly) and paint it with the colour of your choice. Would not be considering powder coating an engine, but would use Duplicolor engine paint CDE 1615 to replicate the aluminum or whatever colour that you choose. You do realize that powder coating involves processes that complete engines are not built for right!! You have already demonstrated that you do not have the ability to disassemble an engine. I am assuming that this is not a trolling situation and that you are earnest in your questions.

[pidjones]

1. Always post the bike you are speaking of first until you note it in your signature line. 2. Engines aren't powder coated. For powder coating they must be baked, which would require complete dismantling. As you said, you are new. Engines are painted. Brush or spray, but first must be meticulously cleaned (or the paint won't stick). 3. Although the swing arm can be powder coated, it must be stripped down, de-greased, and cleaned first. 4. If you don't have one, get a FSM (Factory Service Manual) for your machine and study it, as it has many photos and step-by-step procedures for such things as removing the engine and swingarm from the frame.

Is the bike presently functional? Are you new to riding also? If so, learning to ride and getting comfortable on it before spending a lot of effort (and $$$$) would be good. Hang around, lurk, ask, study, think, do little things first. We all took a long time to learn the ins and outs of these machines. Starting with the FSM would be good. If you don't understand engines, starting with basics in that (many good YouTube videos and instructional material on the web) and learning hand tools will help.

[avkent]

It's an '82 GL1100. Got it for 2,000$ with 15,000 miles on it and no damage. Runs perfectly, I just want to make it my own and also learn as much as I can about it.

So basically no disassembly is required, I just have to cover the intakes and once it's deep cleaned and the previous paint is removed I can just do my own thing.

Way easier than expected, thank you!

[77Gowing]

Avkent,
It would not hurt to perhaps wait for garbage night and cruise the hood for a lawn mower or garden tractor thats been thrown out. I used to keep myself a spare mower by doing the same. Dead give away that you might have a good runner is one that has the pull cord wrapped around the engine. Most home ownerz dont change the air filter or clean their carbs. AND, cutting grass is a very dirty business with dust & clippings. I personally have reserected about twenty used lawn mowerz and 4-5 rider mowers. All had clogged filters and most needed a good carb clean.
For you, get one that you dont care about preferably a Brigs & Straton engine...very common. Get a B&S repair manual, a small inch pound torque wrench and take it all apart following the instructions. This is how I started as a kid. Im not a carb guru however, but have cleaned and serviced lots of small engine carbs.
I suggest you get a Randaaks carb rebuilding DVD to learn all about your GL1100. I havent yet myself but will real soon. Enjoy the journey. If you start with a junk mower still treat the engines insidez like its open heart surgery. So you learn what you can and cannot do. If you want to man handle it, remember it came from the junk pile and it still can go to the junk pile. Just learn from it and for Gods sake take good care of that 1100.

God speed son.

[robin1731]

Correction. Engines can be powder coated. I've had it done before. But it is very labor and time consuming. The engine does have to be completely disassembled. Then completely degreased. Then the powder coating shop does the sand blasting. Then I get the parts back and spend a lot of time cleaning again to remove all the sand used for blasting. Then a lot of time is spent taping off the parts of the engine that you don't want powder on. No way would I do this for a daily rider. For a show bike for a person with lot's of money to spend, yes.

.

[avkent]

Avkent,

I suggest you get a Randaaks carb rebuilding DVD to learn all about your GL1100. I havent yet myself but will real soon. Enjoy the journey. If you start with a junk mower still treat the engines insidez like its open heart surgery. So you learn what you can and cannot do. If you want to man handle it, remember it came from the junk pile and it still can go to the junk pile. Just learn from it and for Gods sake take good care of that 1100.

God speed son.

I've been waiting for them to be in stock for a solid month now

[Pony Ruiz]

You will get there. I started down this path about 10+ years ago. I as Shultze used to say "knew nuthink"!

Carbs can be frustrating, rewarding, and maybe fun depending - if there are no leaks it, it starts, idles, no too much fiddling to get it synced.
Getting them on and off ain't fun but after a half dozen times you'll get the hang of it .

One thing is for SURE. If you have a question and you need an answer - even asap - get on here and ask it like you were next door. I wouldn't proceed if you are in the least bit unsure - double check.

RE: painting the motor. What I did was tape up all the holes with good tape like "gorrilla" tape. I then applied stripper cause the old paint was bad / chipped. After that I pressure washed it. Maybe a couple cycles of this Then prime it and paint it with Duplicolor 1615 I think it is. I think the first time I did this when the carbs weren't done right the first time I had a leak and the paint pealed. Its either lacquer or enamel - I don't know which but it didn't hold up to gas.
Eventually I happened upon this stuff
https://repaintsupply.com/aerosols/clea ... p5991.html
It is a 2 part epoxy that is resistant to gas. You take the little red cap and use it to puncture a catalyst inside the can.
I used it on my last project. The paint on the motor was ok so I touched up the top and sprayed the K2 on it.
I had other things I was spraying so I used the whole can. Its only good for a day or two.
I used the matte finish.
I liked this stuff so much I used the duplucolor bomb cans to paint my plastic (tins) and used the K2 clear (gloss) for the top coat.

I'd do the same thing on the other parts. I think the swing arm has a o-ring or somesuch on the end that might not like the 400deg. heat of powdercoating. That part I believe is NOL - no longer available.

[pidjones]

It's an '82 GL1100. Got it for 2,000$ with 15,000 miles on it and no damage. Runs perfectly, I just want to make it my own and also learn as much as I can about it.

So basically no disassembly is required, I just have to cover the intakes and once it's deep cleaned and the previous paint is removed I can just do my own thing.

Way easier than expected, thank you!

I'd leave the frame, engine, drive train, etc. be then and "do your own thing" on the shelter, side covers, and fenders for now. Those are the most visible and few (except bike nuts like us) ever look as deep as swing arm and engine. Polishing belt and valve covers can make everything else "pop". If you remove carbs, please don't try to remount them with the old o-rings. They've probably been on long enough to poorly reseal once disturbed. And if you take things off, please try to save them. If removing electrical items, don't just clip wires back, but disconnect at the coonectors and tape them back. Treated well, the old GoldWings often go through many owners and it really helps kerp the value up if they can easily be returned to stock. BTW, if you want practice painting ABS (all of the plastic body parts are ABS), go to your local dealership's service department and when a service writer isn't busy ask if they would save you some take-offs from a wreck. My local Honda service guy saved me the whole side from a wrecked GL1800. I've used it to practice gluing (ABS plumbing cement after taking the paint off), preping, painting, and even cut and glued up a fairly major repair for a CB750F out of it.

Oh, and as others will warn - change your belts!

[Sidecar Bob]

The best advice anyone can give you about customizing any vehicle is to get it safe & reliable in more or less original condition and use it for a while before you start making any changes so it can tell you what changes it needs to make it do what you want/need better. That approach almost always results in something you actually want to keep and use but making changes based on style or on what someone else (who may or may not really understand how the changes affect the way it works) has done often results in a piece of expensive yard art that you can't stand sitting on for more than a few minutes and might even be dangerous.

[77Gowing]

Very good pointz all, Sidecar Bob.