BMW K bikes (Bricks)


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1Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty repainting the radiator Wed Apr 04, 2018 2:25 pm

mister_anger

mister_anger
Silver member
Silver member
after 35 years the black paint of the K100 radiator is not so black anymore.
I've been looking repainting the radiator but it seems that the oudside pieces of the radiator are not made from aluminium.
Anyone ever tried repainting the radiator?

thx,M

    

2Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Wed Apr 04, 2018 3:50 pm

Point-Seven-five

Point-Seven-five
Life time member
Life time member
I haven't analyzed the metal in the radiator, but there are only two metals that I know of being used.  Aluminum and brass.  I think that brass radiators typically had a black oxide coating that was created by a chemical process.  Not sure what was done on aluminum, maybe anodizing.

Paint is not what I would use.  Paint makes an insulation layer that will reduce the cooling capacity of the radiator.  On bricks, cooling is not excessive and anything that would reduce it should be avoided.  Anyone restoring a brick really shouldn't use paint and just leave the finish alone.  On the other hand, if you are doing a custom build, you are probably not going to be doing the kind of riding that would stress the cooling system, so in that case it would probably be okay to paint it.


__________________________________________________
Present: 1991 K100RS "Moby Brick Too"
 
Past:
1994 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
1988 K100RS SE "Special Ed"
1994 K75S "Cheetos"
1992 K100RS "Moby Brick" R.I.P.
1982 Honda FT500
1979 Honda XR185
1977 Honda XL125
1974 Honda XL125
1972 OSSA Pioneer 250
1968 Kawasaki 175
    

3Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Wed Apr 04, 2018 8:22 pm

Rick G

Rick G
admin
admin
The radiator is usually hidden behind the fairing or cowl so if you are repainting for looks then use just a bare minimum of black satin and if it is to remain hidden then leave it alone.


__________________________________________________
"Man sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived."   Dalai Lama


Bikes 1999 K1100 LT with a Big Block 1200
    

4Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Thu Apr 05, 2018 3:38 am

mister_anger

mister_anger
Silver member
Silver member
I am doing a full rebuild and the result will be a naked bike "cafe racer". So the radiator will be visible and it would be nice to refresh it.
I use special radiator paint. This paint does not build up a thick layer and keeps airflow. Used it before and it works good.
The side walls (collectors) of the radiator are still in good shape and can be cleaned and polished. Only the metal section (middle, top and bottom) needs to be painted.

    

5Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Thu Apr 05, 2018 10:51 am

Point-Seven-five

Point-Seven-five
Life time member
Life time member
From what I've seen, most cafe bikes are only used for quick trips around town and don't normally experience the conditions that stress cooling systems, so painting shouldn't be a problem.


__________________________________________________
Present: 1991 K100RS "Moby Brick Too"
 
Past:
1994 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
1988 K100RS SE "Special Ed"
1994 K75S "Cheetos"
1992 K100RS "Moby Brick" R.I.P.
1982 Honda FT500
1979 Honda XR185
1977 Honda XL125
1974 Honda XL125
1972 OSSA Pioneer 250
1968 Kawasaki 175
    

6Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Thu Apr 05, 2018 11:59 am

Inge K.

Inge K.
VIP
VIP
mister_anger wrote: The side walls (collectors) of the radiator are still in good shape and can be cleaned and polished.

FYI. it's made of plastic.


__________________________________________________
Inge K.
K100RS -86. (first owner), K1100LTSE -94.
    

7Back to top Go down   repainting the radiator Empty Re: repainting the radiator Thu Apr 05, 2018 12:31 pm

mister_anger

mister_anger
Silver member
Silver member
that is what I thought.
But my problems have been solved because today I found a NOS radiator for 180$. This is a killer find.
And it includes the thermostat ;-)
And the guy that sells it lives about 20km from my home. So this is really nice.

    

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