Engine- to paint or not to paint..

[windswept6]

I have an '82 Pro Link that is apart right now- The carb rack and covers are done and polished....and now I'm thinking that I want the motor to be SILVER ( instead of black).

I have read that the lower case halves are indeed painted, but that on the "silver" CBX motors, the cylinder cases / heads are actually bare aluminum.

Here is my question:

1). Is this true? Were the OE cylinder cases bare aluminum on the "Z" motors? ........is this a special alloy that allows them to remain fairly bright and uncorroded?

2). If so, are the later Pro-link cylinders cases / heads made similarly? In other words, can I run them "bare" also?

Thanks



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[daves79x]

Nope - everything on the early engines was painted silver.

Dave

[windswept6]

Nope - everything on the early engines was painted silver.

Dave

Dave, so I guess this is incorrect information?:

http://www.digitalpizza.com/single-post ... -Honda-CBX

[daves79x]

Yes. I’ll guarantee they were painted.

Dave

[windswept6]

Yes. I’ll guarantee they were painted.

Dave

Ok thanks

[EMS]

A black motor has a better heat dissipation than a silver one.

[windswept6]

A black motor has a better heat dissipation than a silver one.

Good point. I just prefer the way that a silver motor looks.

[desertrefugee]

A black motor has a better heat dissipation than a silver one.

Good point. I just prefer the way that a silver motor looks.

Funny. I guess there's an arse for every seat. One of the things that attracted me to my recent '79 acquisition was that the engine had been painted black! I know purists will recoil in horror, but I like that look. Especially the contrast that now emphasizes the six chrome pipes...

[windswept6]

I totally understand that. I have a folder full of CBX images with silver motors, black motors, black pipes, stainless pipes, chrome, etc...

For me, the focal point of the bike is the motor. In silver, you really "get" the physical presence of the motor. It's mass / detail. Besides, to me- the first bikes had a silver motor, and the silver motor / silver wheel combination just says "CBX" to me.

Beyond that- I am sold on the look of black pipes with the silver motor, much like the Honda RC 166 and CR750 race bikes.