I now have said bike as pictured . Ive had a look over it and there is a couple of dents in the tank and a fair bit of rust on the frame and alot of the bolts . I have never really worked on bike's myself but i am an engineer so i should be capable , just need the confidence . I figured i would just ride and enjoy till the weather gets bad and then take it of the road and have a play . As my money is now gone what can i look at doing for the time being ? And how should i tackle the spots of rust on the frame . As far as i know the bike is standard .

If you have Nevr-Dul available, use that.  It's a brass polish of linseed oil soaked cotton that leeches the rust and dirt out and away from the metal.  Usually available at a brass lamp store.

The standard treatment is:

• Open up the offending area so you can get at the problem.
  
• Take a wire bush to the rust and remove any loose scale and help expose bare metal.  Use 60-100 grit sand paper for areas where a brush would harm surrounding areas.  Remove what you can.
  
• Mask off the area.  Apply rust-specific primer & appropriately coloured paint.

.
I've recently heard of some miracle spray called Permatex Extend Rust Treatment.  This bikeWorld review sounds too good to be true, and may solve the problem of small, hard-to-get-at rust areas.  Might eliminate the re-spray part of this story for the small problem areas.

Before you buy, wait and see who else posts.  Several forum regulars are in the midst of preparation and painting.  I'm sure other ideas will be posted.

Not sure if u get it in the US , but i swear by autosol , its the most amazing thing , just use a tough toothbrush . or a a lil brush with harder bristles , it removes rust , and if it cant get rid of it all , it makes it a darker colour , then u can sandpaper it off , easy

Wolfy

j!m looks be to in the UK or elsewhere.

What year is your GS?

my is a 92

I have found the beat way to deal with small rust spots on the frame is to.

A)  Remove as much rust as possible using fine wet and dry and/or a small wire brush.
B)  Apply Fertan (or similar) rust converter to the bare metal. otherwise the rust will be back, particularly around welds
C)  Apply 2 thin coats grey primer, I use a touch-up stick with the little brush inside.
D)  Overpaint with a suitable silver paint

Jim?
Like you I am a UK owner and I have found Halfrauds (Halfords to most people) own brand silver car wheel paint to be an almost perfect match for the frame and swing arm on my own `95 GS5. If you do it right its very hard to notice the difference. The paint comes in an areosol so put a couple of shots into the cap and apply 2 coats over the primer with a kids paint brush.

Jay?
Starwalt is on the money. The bike is a UK model, note the clip-ons, the lack of side reflectors and the "Caterpiller Yellow" number plate, all dead giveaways mate.

Wow , lot's of great advice here . Yes indeed , uk bike year98 .

sledge : I will have a look round 'Halfrauds' lol , sounds good .

Thanks for all the ideas guys , i'll look into it .

Went for a real test ride today which as it goes made me laugh with exitment , so good to be on a bike again . Now i find my first priority is the brakes , they are compete pants .

Jim

Quote from: j!m on April 06, 2007, 02:15:22 PM
I figured i would just ride and enjoy till the weather gets bad and then take it of the road and have a play .

Bravo.  I'm glad you've got your priorities straight.

i didnt look hard enuff im guessing , either that or i couldnt be arsed to look , i no that Autosol is Very Gd and Making Rust go
Thats All