Rusty handlebar, what can i do?

[foliver]

Hi again.
I'm overhauling the front master cilynder of my K75C 1986, all goes nice, i'm pantinting the exterior parts, previous cleaning like a mad.
It was fun.
I've a new master cilinder, news spieglen lines, and caliper kit repair.
Ok
When dismantling i've seen the handlebar with some corrosion, and i don't know what to do.

The Fabian on my left brain sais: dismanle all, and send the bar to chrome again.
The Fabian on the right brain sais: find another solution.

What other solution can i take?, polish all and paint it in black? mmmmmm

any idea is welcome.

Thanks!!!

[Laitch]

The original equipment handlebar on my moto was black. If the corrosion isn't deep, it could be cleaned and painted.  Painting the bar with turquoise and magenta stripes would make it easier to identify if stolen.

[foliver]

Black can be an option, is not deep.
Yo make me laugh, stripes!

[The Mighty Gryphon]

From the photos you have posted so far, it looks like your bike is in pretty rough shape.  Since it looks like you are serious about doing a good job, I would suggest that you consider doing a frame up restoration job on your bike. 

In the long run you will be better off getting all the dirt and corrosion addressed now rather than bit by bit over the years as the things you missed now come back to cause problems.  Stripping down as much as possible will give you the chance to do a really good job and will give you very good experience in how your bike is put together.  Also, detailing, inspecting and fixing little things is much easier when you approach them as part of methodically assembling the bike.

Lots of us have done rebuilds, and can help you through the process. 

[Chaos]

I don't recall any K75-100 handlebars being chromed.  Gotta wonder if that's something a PO stuck on.  I'd look for an original black bar.

[foliver]

Hi Mighty,i read with care your post.

I must say, it was 6 years without running and now i'm resurrecting it.

I've solved the corrosion in the back of the bike, it was just supperficial, so i polish it and paint it.

Of course i will look to address that now, but i don't know exactly hoy much work it envolves, If i can maintain the wires, engine, gearbox and transmission on the frame it will be nice.

I'll take out the forks so the front will be visible and easier to access.

Here's a video that i just have done now.

More comments on that?, suggestions? how to do it in an non full dismantle way?

Thanks!!!!

[Laitch]

I don't recall any K75-100 handlebars being chromed.  Gotta wonder if that's something a PO stuck on.  I'd look for an original black bar.

OEM Chrome handlebars are offered in MaxBMW's parts fiche for the K75 and the K75RT models. It's possible that some European models also had them. When I replaced my C-bar with a Magura 22mm flat sidecar bar, I bought the chrome one because it was $10 cheaper than the powder-coated black and shipped for no charge.

Frame protection without stripping the frame naked would involve using wire brushes of differing sizes to remove rust where it can be reached then brushing or spraying primer followed by top-coating. It will be tedious but could be better than doing nothing, or hoping for the best. This brings to mind the maxim, Don't look into the kitchen of your favorite restaurant. Just keep eating. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Here is what I would do assuming the video shows the current condition of the bike.

First, get a good cleaner.  My favorite is S100, but you may not be able to get it where you are.  A lot of people like a heavy duty cleaner like Simple Green.  Get some cheap paint brushes and several sponges.  Spend a couple hours cleaning every spot on the bike.  Do one spot at a time working the cleaner with the brushes and sponges and then rinsing.  This will make a good starting point for working on the bike.  A clean bike is always easier to work on.

Then, if you don't feel able to do a complete disassembly of the bike, go at it section by section.  Remove whatever you can, and while it is off the bike do another careful cleaning and inspection.  Make any needed repairs and get the parts ready to put back on the bike.  Clean all the electrical connections with Deoxit D5.  This stuff has been used on many K bikes to clean up and protect all the electrical connectors.  It's one of the most important chemicals to have in your shop.

While everything is off, clean up the rust on the frame with sandpaper.  Wipe down with paper towels and rubbing alcohol.  There is no need to remove all the rust, just get as much as you can.  Then spray the area with a rust converting primer.  This converts the rust to an inert compound that you can the paint.  It's easy to mask off the surrounding parts with plastic bags and sheets of newspaper. 

With all the parts clean, repaired and painted where necessary you can start to put things back together.  With everything clean, working will be more pleasant, take your time and put everything back with anti seize and the proper washers and nuts. If you can get one, use a torque wrench. 

Don't worry if you can't remember how something goes together, you already know you have support here to help you get things right.

I realize that the area under the tank looks intimidating.  If you take your time, you can move things around enough to be able to clean up the rust and get it painted without making a mess of the wiring and plumbing.  Just be methodical and take your time and you will be done before you know it.  There are threads here where others document their restorations.  You will find lots of tips and inspiration by spending some time reading them.  If you can take the time and haven't done it already it will be very worthwhile to spend a couple evenings scanning these threads before you dive into your bike.     

[foliver]

Thanks Mighty, Laitch and Chaos for your answers.
Ok, i need to do it, and i'll doi it. Perfect!

I would like to ask your preferences for specific products, primer and paint, cause a good way is to buy in the states ( if i cannot find them here or i don't like the substitutes), i din't know exactly customs what politics they have about chemicals, but the staburags, and the deoxit 5 passed and are at home.

I'll continue to read about that, i wait for your products options.
I will be happy after that, and if i travel to Bolivia, to the salar de Uyuni, i'll be safier in any ways!!

Thanks for your time!

[foliver]

Hi, I’ve primer and pint from Ryst Oleum here that can do the trick well.
I’m some days I’ll post the process.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

As I mentioned, do a good cleaning followed by a wipe with clean paper towels and rubbing alcohol.  Then sand the part with 220 wet or dry sandpaper to rough up the old paint and remove the rust. Wipe with the alcohol a second time.  Then give it a coat of rust converter.  This is important to make sure the rust doesn't come back.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/stops-rust/rust-reformer/

Then you can do your finish paint.  Satin black or semi gloss black matches factory paint pretty well.

[frankenduck]

Whatever you do, don't powder coat or apply anything very thick where the clutch and throttle perches slide onto the ends of the bars. The tolerance there is very tight. I know this because a friend who was redoing a K75 and had the bars powder coated.  The handlebars were then not usable because he couldn't get the perches back on unless he sanded or ground the powder coat off.  He ended up just getting another set of handlebars.

[foliver]

Mighty, very clear step by step, thanks! i'll follow it.
Frankenduck, that's crazy!, i never thought that could happens, thanks, may be the best is rechrome.....

[Laitch]

. . . i never thought that could happens, thanks, may be the best is rechrome.....

The same thing can happen with re-chroming. Tell the technicians that the finished diameter of the bar should be 22mm.

[foliver]

The same thing can happen with re-chroming. Tell the technicians that the finished diameter of the bar should be 22mm.

That’s a good info, I will do!
Thanks Laitch!

[foliver]

Ok guys, done!
I've sent the handlebar to rechrome.
It cost me 50$, and the result was perfect.
The final diameter of the bar remains the same, i measure it with the caliper.
All parts slide perfect on it.
Thanks all for your help here!

Here the results

[foliver]

And now the frame:
done too.
it was easier than i thought.
I follow your suggestions, i sanded, and uses some metal brush for some parts.
After that a dry cloth for the first clean, second: compressed air, and then isopropy alcohol.
Primer, and paint.
I've not dismantling everything, but the result was ok.
Thanks for push me here, it woth the pain to do it!

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Looking good!

[Laitch]

 

[sebas2357]

Wow, the frame and handlebars came out very nice! I'm very impressed by the nice workmanship! 

[frankenduck]

Bars look great.  That's nice that the diameter still accommodates the clutch and throttle perches.