prospective newbie with questions

[kpp80202]

I am thinking about buying a 2002 R1150R non-ABS and found one locally with 24k mi that just had the 24k mi service in my favorite BMW color--black. I know it doesn't have many miles for a 6 year old Beemer, but it is a lot of miles for me! My last two bikes had under 8k on them when new... Anyway, there are a few cosmetic issues I have questions about:

First is that the silver finish on the triple tree top under the ignition is scuffed up from key rubbing. Is there an official paint that can be used to touch this up?

Second, the front top portion of the swingarm has some goldish discoloration that looks like it was from gasoline dripping from a leaky connection (the bulk of it was right under where the fuel line couplings are just aft of the injector bodies). I have no idea if the silver paint there is damaged, or if it can be cleaned up. Any thoughts on what it would be an how to fix it? (There are no leaks of any kind now.)

Third, the chrome on the exhaust manifolds is very tarnished. The owner said it was from salty and humid Florida air, and that it can't be polished out. Any cost effective solutions to make it look better? The owner suggested silver powdercoating, after saying most local chrome companies wouldn't do a good job.

Please help!

Kevin

[towerworker]

Kevin

First let me way welcome to the board!

Your first question---I don't know of any "official" paint for the triple tree. BMW probably has a paint color that you could have a paint store match. Or a good automotive paint store could probably come up with a close match anyway.

2nd--the brown discoloration does sound like gas stains. I know of nothing that will clean it. It's there forever. You would have to either live with it or paint it.

3rd--The exhaust pipes are stainless steel--not chrome--I guess that's what you're talking of? Pipes come off front of the cylinders and curve under and join under the bike. You can take chrome polish and make them look a tad better---for a while----maybe one ride. They all do that and is pretty typical of the bike. They will often get a little bluish or gold tinge to them. Really kind of unique.

Good luck!

Wayne

[kpp80202]

Thanks Wayne.

Not sure if it matters, but the part of the exhaust system I'm talking about is the part that leaves the front of the cylinders and curves around. The muffler part is shiny and nice. It is really just the curved part. It doesn't look bluish and glossy, but rather gold/blue and matte.

Kevin

[OU812]

Thanks Wayne.

Not sure if it matters, but the part of the exhaust system I'm talking about is the part that leaves the front of the cylinders and curves around. The muffler part is shiny and nice. It is really just the curved part. It doesn't look bluish and glossy, but rather gold/blue and matte.

Kevin

Normal as all pipes do that on most bikes unless they have a "covering" like an outer shell that hides the view of the pipes.

[abglenn]

Mask off all parts not to be painted with masking tape and newspaper. Best to do painting in the garage. You don't want any wind. Protect the garage floor as well. Be sure you have plenty lighting pointed at the work surfaces. Purchase the following spary paint. I had to find and buy my paint over the net from "Filmtools".

1. Krylon Dull Aluminum 1403 -Special Purpose Metallics
2. Krylon Matte 1311 (Protective finish coating)

Two light passings with the 1403 should do it. Then finish three light passings with the 1311. Good luck. This paint will match all dull BMW factory silver on the R1150R, including the engine case and the telelver. The paint will match perfect with the factory finish. Don't use it on the wheels or engine cooling fins, or any hot areas, ie: cat, exhust pipes.

[sweatmark]

Your three areas of concern, key markings on top Telelever clamp + fuel leak staining + Boxer header patina, might each be viewed as a BMW R1150R badge of courage:

To me, the inevitable key markings show the world that your motorcycle gets used... goes along with the BMW philosophy of racking up miles on the odometer. I've tried to keep that area around the key switch unscratched & clean, but to no avail. Someone out there has a protective film you can apply (clear 3M, or black, or even carbon fiber) if you wanted to use BMW touch-up paint (from dealer) and then keep things looking good.

Fuel staining on the RHS transmission housing is a part of R1150R LIFE... plenty of info here in R1150R.org about the problem. We've got 2 R1150Rs with fuel leak staining, one with silver drivetrain and one with black. It's a great conversation piece when you want to gripe about how BMW sometimes fails to live up to its legacy.

Stainless exhaust headers should have a deep patina if the motor is run through its paces. More color = more fun.

[kpp80202]

So, it sounds like my concerns are much ado about nothing. Dang newbie! Thanks for the input, all, it is much appreciated. Looks like I may be joining the club soon...

Also, thanks to abglenn for the paint matching info.

[Airman]

So, it sounds like my concerns are much ado about nothing. Dang newbie! Thanks for the input, all, it is much appreciated. Looks like I may be joining the club soon...

Also, thanks to abglenn for the paint matching info.

My only addition to the above comments would be to make sure the fuel disconnects are not still leaking. The best fix for that, (one I have yet to do), is to replace the disconnects with brass ones and the silly swedged fuel line clamps with the hearty screw type FI clamps. That seems to clear up any fuel leak problems that owners have had. I polish my header pipes once in a while if they get brown looking. Mine are kind of a shiny brownish golden color, dark blue up near the heads. Looks good when it's clean. Mine usually doesn't taste soap or water during the winter months, so it gets pretty grimy.
Welcome to our little community.

[Byrdguy]

I'm going to Jet Hot coat my headers and Y pipe satin black. I'll post pics when done. The whole bike is being repainted a non BMW color.