Restoring 1982 Pro-Link swingarm aluminium finish

[Nylundarn]

Hi!

Any good advice on best way to restore the aluminium finish on Pro-Link swingarms?

Is it clear coated or just "brushed"?

Was thinking of doing : paint stripper --> polish/brushing --> clear coat.

Some pics:

[Jeff Bennetts]

I’m guessing the swingarm is clear anodized aluminum but maybe someone else can verify or deny that!

[Nylundarn]

Interesting! Seems like there are many pre built kits for restoring clear anodized aluminium.

[NobleHops]

Clear gloss Cerakote would work well for this.

[Nylundarn]

Sanding/polishing and finish with Ceracoat?

[Jeff Bennetts]

Sanding/polishing and finish with Ceracoat?

Depends on the finish you’re looking for, brushed or chrome, you polish it its going to resemble chrome, they make different abrasive scotchbrite wheels to get a brushed finish closer to stock.

[CBX-tras]

When I put a ProLink swingarm on my 1100F, I gutted it and had it ceramic (silver) coated. Provides a shiny finish that lasts. Yes, these are anodized, new.
Perhaps Jan will chime in to say whether he likes it or not.

[Nylundarn]

When I put a ProLink swingarm on my 1100F, I gutted it and had it ceramic (silver) coated. Provides a shiny finish that lasts. Yes, these are anodized, new.
Perhaps Jan will chime in to say whether he likes it or not.

This looks great! Thanks for the pic, will have too look around for someone that does that process around me.

[Nylundarn]

Did some testing, bought myself some common drain cleaner and threw it on with a brush. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and then rinsed with water.

After that I polished a test patch lightly with Autosol, looks promising so far!

Did the same with my upper triple tree, does anyone know if the footpeg brackets are anodized as well?

[Devonian]

I have a friend who does lots of vintage restorations. He vapor blasts aluminum parts for a super clean matte finish. Anything polished is done with wet sanding, followed by a buffing wheel. I was amazed to find that he protects the finish with " Mop & Glo" floor wax. He claims it's incredibly durable. I've seen his bikes still looking spotless after several years, so he seems to know something.

[Nylundarn]

I have a friend who does lots of vintage restorations. He vapor blasts aluminum parts for a super clean matte finish. Anything polished is done with wet sanding, followed by a buffing wheel. I was amazed to find that he protects the finish with " Mop & Glo" floor wax. He claims it's incredibly durable. I've seen his bikes still looking spotless after several years, so he seems to know something.

Sorry I missed your reply! This seems like a good option, not sure if I could apply " Mop & Glo" with a straight face though

[Devonian]

The guy who uses it, posits that it's floor wax, so it's a wax polish, designed to stand up to the wear-and-tear of being walked on. He doesn't do any other type of treatment on engine casings he polishes, and they seem to stay shiny and corrosion free for years.