XS1100 Cafe Racer - Painting the engine and polishing the cooling fins

How to polish the cooling fins and paint your engine for that classic look.

[@acatnamedqueenb7047]

Great video. Completely rebuilding a 1981 KZ1100 and this is the look I want. Made it much simpler than what I was thinking.

[@montooooo]

a ducati as a storage table is a new level of bike-awesome

[@forthebold]

Going back over your videos Andy. Nice work on these fins

[@Tasty115]

Hi - very useful little movie - I’m restoring a Kawasaki GT550 which has a black, finned head and I’m looking to do the same as you’ve done - think you’ve done a great job 👏

[@jimrowe4177]

They look great Andy! Very professionally done. Looking forward to seeing your bike back on the road.

[@ANDY5]

Thanks Jim. Technically it isn't off the road, I rode it today. The other engine is still in there and going strong, it has me wondering why I'm even doing this. I'm sure once it is run in and I twist the throttle in anger I will remember why I did this. Thanks for the comment, Andy

[@ahmedtwahir]

Awesome paint job. Will be doing my engine like that.

[@Ewam27]

A very big thank you for detailing your build. My cousin and I just bought a xs1100 1981 model and as its our first project bike... Man... All I can say is... Thank you 👍👍. At the present moment it's all stripped down to the frame. Fun times awaits

[@ANDY5]

+Ewan Minnie outstanding choice mate. My advice to you would be to join the forums, US, UK and Aus all have XS1100 forums and they are packed with useful information and tons of experience along with the answers to a lot of novice questions. The XS1100 Facebook groups are very active too, but the forums are more structured. Thanks for tuning in, Andy

[@oxragesoty]

Ewan Minnie ć

[@jamesa6272]

Great job! Good thing you didn’t clear coat it. I painted my cylinder with vht high heat paint enamel. It came out amazing! I then waited 5 days for the paint to cure and sprayed the vht high heat clear coat ontop of the black. Within seconds it started to peel and lift the beautiful black paint. Complete waste of time! I’m never using their clear coat again.

[@garyconstant4234]

Lovely job Andy. Well worth the all the effort

[@MrNigel1340]

Excellent video, good idea using the pin striping tape for the fins.

[@peejayarr2323]

Great technique and a beautiful finish

[@Psycrow11]

been loving the vids on Basket Case and hi all the way from Canada! I know one reason your doing it.... so we can watch! Keep up the great vids!

[@ANDY5]

lol, thanks Psycrow

[@JamesTorrey]

Nice! Great quick video

[@zhukie]

Love it. My 19yo engine is painted black but has a bit of oxidisation,roughness on the surface. Wish I had the skills to remove it and give it the cleanup it deserves lol

[@sterlingross9133]

Looks good, I've got a engine i'd like to have cerakote fins on but the tape work would be complex to get the faces of the fins only.

[@crazyrebl]

Looks amazing

[@Sharkwmu]

Thanks for the recap!

[@BikersGarage101]

You make it look and sound easy Andy bb it I know that must have been a real ball buster; been there! What I like is the pin strip tape! Now why did I not think about that before?! I must be the dumbest SOB on earth! Me suffering with 1/4" masking tape! Thanks for sharing the experience

[@taj_254]

Wow,great info...will do these to my Z1A heads n block

[@burningrider8500]

Great work bud!

[@jockofthebushveld299]

Nice Work 👍

[@robertgrant008]

Great idea thanks 👍

[@smallwheels]

We used to do them with an angle grinder, after the paint had dried, on Bultacos years ago.

[@ANDY5]

That works too. Many men, many methods. Thanks for watching mate.

[@dogpaw775]

QED: PREP IS EVERYTHING.

[@antoinelawson7467]

Looks good man

[@ANDY5]

Thanks mate, it still looks good.

[@JOEMMONSTER]

this is sooo fantastic.

[@ANDY5]

Thanks Joem

[@fredcarter7003]

Great job

[@PilotInsanity]

Looks great

[@johnmeade6889]

Nice touch

[@kobiroar4221]

Hi I’ve tried many different ways to make my Cb 900 fins decent heat resistant paint etc but nothing stays on you said you used a black gloss, did that stay on? all paints I’ve tried have failed

[@judeoko]

Perfect!

[@riatamarinelly2047]

Great vid, thanks Andy. I’m looking to paints my XS650 engine at the moment. I’ve got the top end stripped down already at it had a tapping noise that I think I’ve sourced the problem for. My bottom end looks to already be painted and is in good condition. Do you think it would be ok to paint on top of this existing paint? Of course I would prepare it properly at rough up the surface. I just feel I’m going to make more mess and not have as smooth a surface if I try and strip it down. Thanks

[@Optiv_]

I like the new intro!

[@ANDY5]

Thanks Adam

[@thruxt0677]

This is sick.

[@bosand2347]

Mystery solved, thank you! I'm wondering if a newb like me can paint a small v engine like this without disassembling the bike...

[@graemepurcell6271]

Awesome project Andy. Enjoyed the whole series. Has spurred me into action to restore my own XS1100E that I rode for 30 years from new until a rear-ender put it in mothballs. Love the paint on top end and barrels. How did you do the crankcases? Did you dive into the bottom end or did I miss that video?

[@TushevMihael]

Looks great. What primer and paint did u use?

[@johnnyblaze2716]

Great! Thanks pal

[@moderatefkr6666]

Really nice work Andy. Which big bore kit did you use?

[@adamrtr71]

Awesome job. 👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@greybeard5774]

Looks great!! However, I wonder, if painting the engine is still a good idea .. any kind of coating impairs heat transfer .. could make engine cooling worse ??

[@EvendimataE]

i also like gloss black forr the engine, it looks more elegant than flat black i think

[@Mars_tial]

Hi, great job ! Quick question, I'm looking into doing the same for a XS750, supposedly the width of the cooling fins are the same so I'm looking for stripes tape like you used. Did you have it lying around, did you cut it to width yourself or did you buy it somewhere special ? Regards

[@ANDY5]

G'day mate, I had the roll laying around the garage. I picked it up some time ago from an auto parts store, from memory it is somewhere around 4 or 5 mm wide.

[@martin72345]

great easy simple vid with all the info and non of the crap. I'm busy at a similar stage on my XS and just want to know... after a year or so does that bare aluminium not need a rebuff etc seeing as it not treated per se'

[@ANDY5]

Hi Martin, mine is still looking good mate. The caveat to that I guess is that I don't live in a harsh climate, we don't salt the roads etc. Thanks for watching, good luck with your build, Andy

[@ANDY5]

Update on the paint kzbin.info/www/bejne/n17Jo6SXbsh8e5I

[@user-kc1qk7hv1y]

Hello, I need to know what color you sprayed the engine block? The paint must withstand high temperatures to prevent peeling. Thanks for the information.

[@LordPenny95]

Do you put a clear coat on after the gloss?

[@dbrhdwk1239]

Very good. What is the black paint on the cylinder? Please let me know the paint.

[@pmacc3557]

Great work. Are the fins prone to rust?

[@navjotsinghgill6016]

Which spray did u used? What kind of?

[@paulacabbo466]

do you like the look of having all the fins polished vs just the head? can share a few thoughts on it, i'm having a tough time deciding to just do the head or do both the head & cylinder on my vstar 650, do you think the engine will appear bigger or smaller doing all the fins

[@ANDY5]

I like both to be honest. I don’t think it makes the engine look any bigger, it’s not like you can hide a XS11 engine very easily anyway

[@MMKJ]

Thanks

[@Immigranteddie]

thanks mate

[@djcristian84]

when spraying an engine with an aerosol (vht likely), is it necessary to bake it after, or would the paint adhere. trying to diy the project but dont have anywhere to 'bake' any painted parts

[@md4luckycharms]

You could just run the engine, at least in this case. Or a toaster oven for small boy parts. Ask around to see if anyone has a shop oven you could use in exchange for beer? If you have the ability, buy a shitty used stove

[@AriaAsgari]

Nice job. But does the spray paint not come off when engine is hot? I need to paint my silver scrambler engine black.

[@ANDY5]

Not if you use the correct paint. There should be a card to a follow up video.

[@mtmasteroftalk5044]

Can i replace the cooling fins with radiator ? when i travel for a long time my engine always vibrate more than the same cc with radiator

[@ANDY5]

Jean Jakkraphan I'm not sure if it's the translation but you can not fit a radiator to an air cooled bike.

[@loopi222]

I've never heard anyone say that, before.

[@cw8681]

Andy's Motorcycle Obsessions Sure you can via water jackets. But is it worth it? No..

[@alvarovicente3458]

What kind of paint do you use, I want to paint a CB900F but I’m looking for a paint that contribute with air cooling, do you have any idea?

[@ANDY5]

Duplicolor Engine Enamel

[@kyledoubleu8833]

How durable is the finish?

[@Denis-bo8ms]

Andy, how has the paint been holding up? What paint do you recommend? Is it safe to powder coat the cylinders?

[@ANDY5]

The paint is holding up well. I just used a Duplicolor Engine enamel I bought off the shelf at the local auto parts store. I am not sure about powder coating engines, I’ve never done it

[@Denis-bo8ms]

Ok, got Duplicolor primer and enamel, will try to paint soon before assembly. Not sure still if I will end up polishing the fins, yours turned out great

[@ANDY5]

Hi Denis, here's an update kzbin.info/www/bejne/n17Jo6SXbsh8e5I

[@pongobird]

Nice job. What size pin stripe tape? Where to get it?

[@ANDY5]

Hi Jason, it was more than a year and a half ago but I think it was 3mm (1/8”) I got it from a local auto parts store

[@eduki]

Hi Andy! Is this paint going to hold the engine heat?

[@ANDY5]

eduki have a look for yourself kzbin.info/www/bejne/n17Jo6SXbsh8e5I

[@silkboxing4454]

You can also put chapsticks around the fin bu paint it then wipe it off.

[@Immigranteddie]

hi what paint did you use ,any particular brand .

[@ANDY5]

Duplicolor engine enamel

[@henrryvilleta9136]

Hello, i have a CB750K 1981, the old owner painted the engine with a bad quality spray paint, and i would like to paint the engine again, but i believe that i have to remove the old paint or at least clean the engine a much as i can before paint again. I would like to know how to clean it or remove the old paint without a blast machine, because it is hard to find where i live.

[@ANDY5]

G'day Henrry, sorry for the late reply. If the old paint sticks I would leave it. Without a blaster your only real option would be to use paint stripper, not ideal. Clean the engine with degreaser and then sand it with wet and dry paper, start with about 180 grit then progress to 360 and 600. Wash the engine and let it dry. Use a prep wash to wipe it down, mask up and spray. Good luck.

[@henrryvilleta9136]

Andy's Motorcycle Obsessions thank you very much! I will let you know after its done!

[@mosfet51]

Did you use a high heat paint?

[@Denis-bo8ms]

He used Duplicolor High Temp Engine Enamel

[@Denis-bo8ms]

How can i polish fins on an engine that is already painted?

[@ANDY5]

+Denis g'day Dennis. Yes, very carefully and with some difficulty if it's still in the frame. I would remove the exhaust and carbs and stuff some clean rags in the ports. Then I would gently start sanding the fins with a course wet and dry paper by hand, say 180 grit. Work from there towards 320, 600 and finally 1000 or 2000 grit, one fin at a time. Once it is all smooth polish by hand with Autosol and a rag. Clean with part cleaner and if the paint looks damaged you may need to mask everything up and give it a lick of engine enamel.

[@G58]

Thanks for confirming the methodology I’m planning to employ on my 1983 USA spec VF750 which of course does have polished fin edges. I also like the look. Indeed, the 1983-‘85 VF always was a much better looking engine than its somewhat mechanically superior gear driven successor. You got a great result there. But I do question the wisdom of allowing a gang of heathens to fire anything that abrasive at a casting, especially one with oilways in it. My rationale is that firstly it’s overkill and not necessary to obtain the desired results. Secondly the factory didn’t do it, meaning you’re creating a different finish. Thirdly, the risk of getting that nasty shit inside your rebuilt engine (where it is guaranteed to cause havoc and shorten it’s life) is massive! I personally favour soda crystals or nut shell granules. Both are easily capable of dispatching old paint, general grime and corrosion, but without leaving anything nasty behind, or abrading the aged surface of the aluminium. In my not so humble opinion, it’s a no brainier. And I’d feed the testicles of any bugger that sandblasted any casting of mine - to the dog! And since I haven’t got a dog, I’d have to buy one for the purpose!! ;) Peace, until the powers that shouldn’t be make the alternative inevitable...!

[@volgnit]

I like shiny !!

[@ANDY5]

Shiny good

[@pauloconnor7951]

A carry forward from The Yamaha air RD 350 :)

[@michaelkowalski8507]

Is that aluminum? Will this work with aluminum engine block?

[@ANDY5]

Bike engines like this are a "pot metal" made from a blend of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and other alloys.

[@JCcanU]

yes

[@MDiyum]

Does the spray paint last???

[@ANDY5]

Have a look kzbin.info/www/bejne/n17Jo6SXbsh8e5I

[@hassanuddin6923]

Regarding lawful rebellion, what does it mean to you?

[@ANDY5]

G'day Hassan, thanks for watching, good question mate. The Australian Constitution is based on the Magna Carta, it's kind of a safety net. If the constitution doesn't cover something specific you refer to the Magna Carta. Chapter 61 of the Magna Carta covers "Lawful Rebellion" and it was leveraged as part of a campaign protesting the V.L.A.D (Vicious Lawless Association Disestablishment) legislation introduced in Queensland in 2013. The laws are targeted at Motorcycle clubs and are a very wide net, broad brush approach essentially classifying clubs as criminal organisations and are, in many cases, a breach of basic human rights. The reference to chapter 61 is a reminder to our politicians that they are elected to govern, not to rule, and we have the right to rebel (lawfully) against laws that are introduced which are unfair or unjust. Andy

[@johnod1955]

Looks great what kind of paint did you use?

[@ANDY5]

+johnod1955 g'day mate, I used Duplicolor engine enamel with ceramic. Thanks for tuning in, Andy

[@johnod1955]

Thanks, I'll be curious to see how well it holds up. Always have mixed results with engine paint, never used this one though.

[@markwright9352]

Hi Andy wot paint did you use??

[@ANDY5]

Hi Mark, I think it was a Duplicolor product, I don’t remember. If you scroll down through the comments I know I have answered it a few times.

[@markwright9352]

Andy's Motorcycle Obsessions cheers Andy 👍🏻

[@silkboxing4454]

Andy. Great Job. U can also put chapstick in the fins b4 paint then wipe it off.

[@BombsAwayMineCraft]

Why not paint it all first then polish the fins

[@ro63rto]

Exactly, like they do on Lamborghini, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo engines to name but a few.

[@justingraber1834]

Wouldn't it have been easier to do the reverse? Paint the entire thing then sand off and polish the fins after the paint. Then you wouldn't have to mask each one off.

[@ANDY5]

You could I suppose, you would need to hand polish or use a dremmel. If you used an off-hand grinder with a polishing attachment like mine it would make a hell of a mess of the paint.

[@richardsvec4182]

Why didnt you spay the engine first and then polish the fins? kinda counter productive the other way

[@ANDY5]

G'day Richard, no it's not mate. With no paint I could get stuck in with the buffing wheels. If it had paint on there I would have had to repaint it after the buff destroyed the paint, and that is counter productive. Thanks for tuning in, Andy.

[@adiep4202]

Polish mask and then paint it is. Just the question i was asking. Cheers great work Andy. Chapter 61, people need to know this stuff.

[@adiep4202]

Also... would you take the side covers off, mask and then paint? i am looking going to be removing the side covers anyway to d a gasket replacement, just trying to figure out a sequence.

[@axa.axa.]

Misleading title, click-bait perhaps. Not an engine, you're merely painting the cylinders, even i can do that. Id like to see really painting an engine.

[@jackovhemling1831]

Get out of here

[@vlratcliffe1]

Wow so backward ... if you had done the fins dont fart about with pin strip as soon you peel it off there is bits coming off tape not stuck down right . Way backwards.. Do the fins that there nice and flat . Paint the whole thing wait til 100%dry . Then get a flat bit wood wet and dry wraped over the wood then lay flat on the fins and take off the black paint 200% better wipe dry then high temp lacure it all stop pitting an protect the paint or some use a grinder to take the paint of the edges the fins DONT MESS about with tape . Never a good finishe