cleaning the engine

I bought the 79 kz 1000 motor a few days ago.I dont thing it has been in a bike for several years.once I know the motor runs and is ok, I will clean it.It has lots of oxidization.I have seen thes cases and covers polished to near mirror like finish and was wondering what do you use to polish up your engine?

OMR (old man rock} has plenty of post on cleaning engines. I use a die grinder and a wire wheel for heavy cleaning. A regular drill will work. For a finish shine I use clay bars and my die grinder if the parts are on the bike and a large buffer if the parts are off the bike.


Here is a link to OMR"S clean engine.


www.kzrider.com/media/kunena/attachments/11624/SimpleGreen.JPG

Thank you.

You can also use sandpaper or sandpaper on a power tool. I started out with a ruffer grit then worked my way up to 1000 grit. Then i wet sanded it with wd-40. Then i buffed it with some harbor frieght buffing wheels on a cheap drill. Then i started out with some white diamond metal polish. Its has a little grit in it, so it helps get it to a mirror finish. Then i went back over it with mothers on another buffing wheel. The mothers really makes the engine shine.

Thanks powerstroke.Yep, i can see a few days doing this.

Hey I've been wondering about the SimpleGreen method... Do you guys dilute it with water as per the label, or do you soak with higher/lower concentrations? Any issues with dropping the carbs straight into a bucket of the stuff, or should I pull out any of the seals first?

Bump.

Nope straight out of the spray bottle....

SG is pretty safe regarding the chemicals... I actually use it as a hand cleaner, removes the oil & grime...

If carbon build ups as in the piston dome images, lets soak over night and use a tooth brush/nylon brush to clean.... Seriously, all I did on those 30 year old pistons...

Oxidized engine cases, spray down and let soak in.... Repeat every so often then hit with Orange nylon brush on a drill.... Hose off & dry, then final spray with clean tooth brush for a little shine...

For higher shine, use a soft wire brush on a drill, light touch = little pressure and she'll shine right up...

OMR

Recent Voyager Xii build.... PO was douche nipple & totally neglected her so used about a Gallon on her, she all purdy now....

Looks great!! Man, that previous owner took a lot a pride in his ride, didn't he? :blink: :blink:

Any suggestions on what I could soak a case in to remove the original paint? Got a replacement from a police bike -- I wanted the black color, but this paint is peeling & cracking everywhere, so I think I'll be better off stripping it and starting from scratch. Anyone had good success just soaking in regular paint thinner, or is there something that would work better?