Best method avoiding damaging raw Aluminium and its factory protective layers would be dry ice cleaning!

When you reacted to the SuperClean, I immediate thought it might have Sodium Hydroxide (Lye). Looked it up and it does. That dissolves aluminum and aluminum oxide. Usually results in a tarnish look on raw aluminum, but will strip anodized aluminum.

Retired Mechanic of 46 plus years I have used a lot of different chemicals and I cleaned my shared of caked on gunk, oil, grease, etc for a motorcycle some of those spray can cleaners can discolor the engine finish, the best cleaner I have found so far is good ol' dishwashing liquid I really like Dawn, you can get the power wash version at the grocery store, I get a spray bottle and mix it fairly strong for heavy grease and don't use a metal screwdriver there are plastic spatula and scrapers at the hardware store for that.

I bought my 2008 Stratoliner in January of 2021 ... I was 49 years young, and I literally hadn't ridden any motorcycle since the early 80's when I was in the 3rd grade and had a Honda Mini-Trail for a short time (until I managed to launch it, and myself, over a raised sidewalk and tried to take my arm off on a nearby grill). Since then, I've put a little over 30,000 miles on it (much of which has been 2-up) and I will never get rid of this bike. These bikes are absolutely amazing. Yes, they are large and powerful, but so well balanced. Add the low center of gravity and just the overall classic looks, and it's a damn near perfect cruiser IMHO. You do need to have proper low-speed technique to really be comfortable and confident on them (or any big bike), but it will easily do 20' U-turns without scraping anything (it'll do 18's as well, but takes a little more guts). The slightly raked-out forks make it so stable at any speed (for a slight reduction in super-slow-speed maneuvering).

Wonder if a Steam Cleaner would work on this as it is very difficult to clean around the counter shaft sprocket on mx bikes or like after it is packed in with chain lube ect.

What! that stuff works great. I got to try that on my skid plate. This may be a 1st. Deep clean on a project bike.

Man that sucks. I’ve used different stuff over the years. Something that works great on one doesn’t on the other. I used to use simple green a bunch but sometimes easy off oven cleaner works better.

I use Super Clean out of a gallon jug and it works fairly well. It can oxidize/change the finish on aluminum so you have to rinse quickly. Scrubbing isn't fun but a clean bike is nice.

Break Cleaner and a Brush is my Weapon against Dirt 😊

I do this thing where I just assume everyone is lying about everything

These 1storm helmets fit weird on me. The front of the helmet sits way to close to my face. Not a comfortable helmet at all, they do make cool looking helmets for the price though.

Well, that's how I hunt - leave comment below on your process. What could I do better - are you doing something similar?

Yes I'm still watching. I would pick the VFR. I had a 93 and really loved it. Not sure I would fit on it any more.

That's some great info. I often think about taking on a project bike. I see a lot of bikes with no title around here. Being close to Baltimore I feel they are probably stolen. As a 1st project should I look for a single or a twin, or do you think a four would be ok? I do not know if I'm a flipper but something to mess around with and ride around would be fun. Thanks for your insight.

3k for a tlr that’s a good price if it’s nice. Funny how we all have our hunting styles

I thought you were going to say you bought one of the sport bikes at the end.

I love a VFR. Has a 93 and was one of my favorites. I think the hunt is far more exciting then the final out come. We build it all up in our head then bam its over. That long ride with no payoff does such, but hey, its an adventure.

I've always wanted to get one of those bikes. Do you know whats different between that and the cx500? One of the coolest engine designs ever. Maybe one day I'll find enough money to get myself one. Like the channel!

Oh, the hustle and the hunt are a thrill for sure!

Bloody widow maker man don’t get that TLR I know of several guys binned there’s bad unless of course u know how to tame that sucker the rear suspension is shite they need a gd steering damper what does that say about their innate handling! I followed a mag where they tried to FIX? The TLR never really got it sorted even with expensive rear suspension upgrades The fuelling is pretty snatchy to and very prone to wheelies ! Man I wanted one but so much came to light I flagged it get an RC51 of vtr1000

One day I decided that the time was right. I started looking into bikes. My wife did not want be to start riding again. I went from dealership to dealership and Cycle Trader and FB. I was talking to my mom and she said, do it. Your two boys are grown and your not getting younger. I found a bike on FB. It was beautiful blue. I went to see it and it needed work. Had been sitting for years. Anyways I talked him down from 4k to 3k and it was mine. New tires, lots of carb work new brakes all new fluids and some adjustments.

You are doing good in November for the great white North getting to ride. Regrets, (like Frank Sinatra said), I've had a few. I'm trying to think of them as learning experiences now rather than dwelling on the negative. We have the same sickness with bikes, just different favorites. I love them all too. It is a good thing I don't go through wives like I do vehicles, or I would be even more financially challenged hahahaha. I watched a video about this, and I can't recall how the person put it exactly. There is no right or wrong decision, just the decision. You can't know the outcome of both because you can only live one....to paraphrase. I have heard to flip a coin and while it is in the air your hope will tell you the outcome you desire. This was a fun look into another guy's bike desire/experience and a lot of fun. So many times I missed out by waiting, but that keeps me from buying everything my eyes see.

No regrets you gotta follow your gut. If you can’t afford it do it

Those old bike ignitions are sketch!

What are the odds?10/9

That was so fun to watch! Good to see you both out riding. Those tires looked wicked and nor in a good way! Have fun dreaming up a new design😊

I’ve just bought one and it now is forecast rain for the next 2 weeks, my new 1100 has done 40 miles since 2006, recently fully recommissioned 😊

Welp, a few things. The bullet holes in the back seat are for the stock grab handle, black rubber piece. Oddle enough previous owners of mine had it mounted under the radiator. But it also had the bracket to mount the trunk and use the rear seat. I know right away those weren't stock mufflers. Nice swing away system. It has the seatbelt buckle attachment for the bags, just no key cylinder to lock them in. If you do strip this one down, the side covers match my OE ones. The mounts are really fragile though. One blew off during a ride and I didn't notice it until later. My wife says my GL500 is too big, but that's just because of the faring likely. They seem like pretty small bikes without the bulk. How fun.

Why would you ever ride it in the lower sport mode. Her bike is looking great and nice to see her out on it.

Amazing Silverwing ❤ i love my bike 😊

That's awesome! I'm looking forward to your progress.

I just bought an '81 Silverwing myself.. Let's have a build off!

“I hope I’m not of fire!” 😮 what?! This was so much fun!! Thank you for your help and patience! I LOVE my bike!!!

Another GL??

That is some good luck right there.

That's hitting the lottery!

Nice. I wonder how many bikes got stolen back in the day because they used only a few different keys

Try switching out the rear shocks for ones that are about 2 inches longer/taller, cut off the existing seat support on the frame so the seat is actually on the frame, and then try it again with the first tank. I think that's the ticket!

Looks like you have fixed the weld. Good work.

Original tank

Definitely the original tank

i would go with the black tank and lower the seat more into the frame. the other tank also looks great if you make the bike minimalistic

I have a 1982 Nighthawk 750 that could be turned into a cafe racer.

Nice!

I like the Original Honda tank, but sand it back as you did with the other one !

What a beautiful bike 😍 I was very sceptical about keeping the original tank as well on my build (I got more or less the exact same bike and I am building it for my son as well). I ended up keeping the original tank 😊

Honda Superdreams were garbage when new, and the intervening years have not improved it. Buying a large bag of Marshmallows and a gallon of fuel beofre setting light to the monstrosity and roasting the Marshmallows is the best solution all round. The money and time you save by not messing around with it can be put towards a decent bike!

I agree with your thought owning the Yamaha. I owned a 2014 Harley Road King, one day I found my Harley missing. The five figure discount. So while I was waiting for the insurance to pay for the stolen bike, I went out and bought the Yamaha that was for sale cheap. Road that bike for a year. Till I got the cash settlement from the late insurance. Great bike, Harley could take a few notes from Yamaha. Still have the Yamaha great riding bike with more than enough horse power and lots of comfort plus the look.Thanks for the video.

It's a Honda ❤ these Bikes are awesome 😊

If ya want trad go with honda. I like the other tank, gives it a homebuilt bsa type look.