Well she's here, delivered yesterday. Managed to grab a quick ride yesterday and found it very pleasant. Spent today doing some polishing and tidying and fitted a few bits and pieces. It was very clean but dealers never polish a bike like the owner do they? Wheels are bright and shiny but a bit pitted. Any suggestions on how to get a brilliant shiny wheel.? Same goes for engine casings. Might get some chrome ones . So far so good, enjoying my new toy.
Looking good Bry, when I bought my first bonnie the engine cases were nearly white with corrosion. I stripped them with Nitromors paint stripper to make sure there wasn't any lacquer on them and then set about sanding with wet and dry. I see you have black crank cases, so be careful, I actually masked mine up. It's a long laborious job, I started with 600 grit and worked slowly up to 2500 grit, and then Solvol Autosol. A job best left for the winter months. Wheels can be done the same way. I've progressed a bit since then and bought a polishing machine, I've just finished my downpipes on my current Bonnie, and I'm really pleased with the result, the stainless has come up better than chrome. My engine cases are chrome so no deep polishing needed, just a weekly going over with Belgom Chromes. I do miss polishing the alloy cases though. Enjoy the bike Bry. Ride safe. TBB.
Thanks for the advice TBB. I will have a go at the wheels but the downpipes are quite corroded so mightvreplace those and I like the idea of chrome casings so may go for those as well. That's all part of the fun ain't it?
Solvol + wire wool on your wheels. Seems to work on mine (but not the black bits - that would be silly!). Then lather them in wax polish. Oooh ... such fun!!
There probably are different grades, but I'm not privy to them. Hmm ... I guess that's not too helpful, but then again it may not be too important. I think mine is a bit finer than a de-soaped Brillo pad. Well ... it's a starting point!
Coarse, medium and fine......a Brillo pad is somewhere between coarse and medium. I would have thought a gentle use of medium before fine maybe used with soapy water and finally Autosol. http://www.screwfix.com/p/oakey-steel-wool-fine-200g/96385
What's the secret to getting it onto the main stand? I am struggling. My Gold Wing was easier than this.
Welcome to the forum. When putting the bike on the centre stand all the effort should be in your foot! Stand slightly towards the back of the bike and push down hard!
Bry, sorry I should have been a little more specific, I use all manner of materials ranging from, wet and dry, steel wool, abrasive nylon pads ( Pan Scouer's ) Solvo Autosol, both for alloy and stainless steel, Mother's is another good product for mirror finish. Always use warm soapy water when using wet and dry paper, and let it pre soak for 10/15 mins. Don't start off to with to aggressive paper though, or you'll end up polishing out your mistakes before they look like you want. Halfords do mixed packs, try and get some with 1200 grit and try that, start a small area on a wheel rim then go up to 1500, 2000 even 2500 if you can get some, then polish with some Solvo. You mention changing the engine cases, why not try taking off the front sprocket cover and tackle that one first, you might be pleasantly surprised at the finish you can get. Blimey, I'm starting to sound like an anorak, must be time to walk the dog. TBB.
A bit late, but welcome aboard Bry. I've also got one of those 2010 blue and white SEs. Lovely bikes.
Hi Rich, the blue/white colour scheme was my first choice and I am very pleased with it - real retro 60s look. I have now done some 500 miles and have really bonded with the bike. Love the ride, so easy and pleasant. I have added chrome engine covers all round, all found on eBay at a fraction of the new prices and she looks a treat. I really could not be bothered with all that polishing so went for the chrome and glad I did. Also just added a gel seat and a few other bits and that's all done now. Just bought a used seat cowl off eBay and will have it painted and fit it when I am in a cafe racer mood. Not sure I want it on all the time but we will see what it looks like when it's done. Thinking about having it leather covered in blue and white leatherette as that might be a bit different . So far so good and I am thoroughly enjoying my Triumph experience. Here's a pic of the bike now. Ride safe my friend!
I was going to sell mine (I have too many bikes atm) so took it for its MOT a couple of weeks back and fell in love with it again. So keeping my SE and parting with the Tiger I was going to keep for winter and wet weather commuting (I took the rear fender off my Street Twin). So I need to do a bit more on mine now. I like the idea of the chrome covers. I'll look in to that. The alu ones get pitted if you don't keep on top of the cleaning, and I didn't winter 2015/16. Check out the GMU thread in the Lounge. A bunch of ttf reprobates are meeting up in Wales next July. Here's mine at the DGR on Sunday. The Ikon rear shocks make a difference.