Old fasteners?

[woodly1069]

OK, silly question here...if I am in the process of trying to "clean up" an old motorcycle and there are rusty nuts and bolts everywhere, what should I do to ensure they remain rust free after reassembly? I know I could spend many hundreds of dollars on stainless steel but it's just not in the budget. Evidently the manufacturer didn't paint these and although they are 40 years old they clean up OK with the wire wheel but I'm sure that won't last as I start to ride it and get caught out in the rain or just wash the bike after a ride. Any thoughts?

[MZRider]

Originally Posted by woodly1069

OK, silly question here...if I am in the process of trying to "clean up" an old motorcycle and there are rusty nuts and bolts everywhere, what should I do to ensure they remain rust free after reassembly? I know I could spend many hundreds of dollars on stainless steel but it's just not in the budget. Evidently the manufacturer didn't paint these and although they are 40 years old they clean up OK with the wire wheel but I'm sure that won't last as I start to ride it and get caught out in the rain or just wash the bike after a ride. Any thoughts?

You could paint them, but if you scratch the paint (inevitable) they'll rust. You could use a plating kit (such as one from Caswell) to replate them, but they'll still rust eventually and you'll spend a crazy amount of time plating them. You could send everything to a commercial plater and have then zinc-plated again for about $50.

If you're the same "woodly1069" that's posted about a '74 Guzzi Eldorado on other forums, your best bet might be to buy a stainless kit from Stainless Cycle: http://www.stainlesscycle.com/catalo...roducts_id=391 $85 will get you almost everything you need.

Oh, and if you're still looking for a solid gas tank for that Eldo, there's one on Craigslist in Lexington: http://lexington.craigslist.org/mcy/3469195850.html

[woodly1069]

that's me! thanks a bunch MZRider!

[rufusswan]

I soak the dirty nuts/bolts in phosphoric acid then they go on the wheel. Wipe clean and dry. Then they get two coats of clear lacquer which is called nail hardner from the cosmetic counter. A little bottle is dirt cheap and obviously has a brush in the lid.

It doesn't last forever but it works.

[woodly1069]

that's some GOOD THINKIN'!!! May have to try that one!

[Cat Daddy]

I have them replated. You're looking at 25 dollars worth of plating here. Good as new and nothing to chip off like paint.

[WooPig]

[QUOTE=Cat Daddy;20389383]I have them replated. QUOTE]

Nice! Maybe... maybe... this is the summer I'll break down the old airhead and pretty things up. You got a Tx local vendor for that plating?

[anonny]

Just buy new cadium or zink plated fasteners, beats spending hours to save a few bucks.

[Cat Daddy]

[QUOTE=WooPig;20389953]

Originally Posted by Cat Daddy

I have them replated. QUOTE]

Nice! Maybe... maybe... this is the summer I'll break down the old airhead and pretty things up. You got a Tx local vendor for that plating?

Arrow Plating in Fort Worth. Tell them the fireman sent you.

[F_Sahms]

Anyone know of a place that can replicate the black/dark green finish on some Guzzi and Japanese fasteners?

Nothing screams RESTO like shiny polished fasteners replacing ones that were originally black.

[woodly1069]

Hey Cat Daddy, you mean to tell me that box of parts you show plated cost $25????

If that's the case I'll send out a big box ASAP!

What did you do to the items before you sent them out for plating? Did you spend hours standing in front of the blasting cabinet or wire wheel?
Arrow plating huh??? What process did you get there, chrome or zinc?

[WooPig]

Originally Posted by anonny

Just buy new cadium or zink plated fasteners, beats spending hours to save a few bucks.

Hours? Man, I spend WEEKS to save a few bucks!
And anyway, including spoke nipples, it adds up to real money pretty quick.

[Cat Daddy]

Originally Posted by woodly1069

Hey Cat Daddy, you mean to tell me that box of parts you show plated cost $25????

If that's the case I'll send out a big box ASAP!

What did you do to the items before you sent them out for plating? Did you spend hours standing in front of the blasting cabinet or wire wheel?
Arrow plating huh??? What process did you get there, chrome or zinc?

That is called clear zinc plating. They do all different colors and have sample work there for you to look at. Yes, that box was 25 dollars out the door. That's their minimum charge. I didn't do anything beforehand, just throw everything into a box as I disassembled the bike. They do the rest.

Every project I do, I have them do all the plating. They run 5 business day turnaround time.

[MZRider]

Originally Posted by F_Sahms

Anyone know of a place that can replicate the black/dark green finish on some Guzzi and Japanese fasterners?

Nothing screams RESTO like shiny polished fasteners replacing ones that were originally black.

Isn't that black oxide, Fred? Most places that do zinc and cad, do black oxide as well.

[MZRider]

Originally Posted by anonny

Just buy new cadium or zink plated fasteners, beats spending hours to save a few bucks.

For "normal" fasteners that's fine, but on an Eldorado there are plenty of other bits that aren't normal. You can send out every single piece that Guzzi zinc-plated back in the day and have it all replated to look new (or better). The place I use charged me $50 for "two minimums" (as they put it), 144 individual pieces, weighed about 30 lbs. Shipping both ways cost more...