M1100 Horizontal cylinder head aesthetics...

[ungeheuer]

Thinking about tidying up the appearance of the horizontal cylinder head on my 2009 M1100s.  The original grey paint is looking a little sad and patchy these days (elsewhere, all of the engine cases and the rear cyl are still in great visual condition - a lifetime of mostly ridden in sunny Australia I suspect).

Over winter the engine will might be coming out as part of a general make-over for the bike. I guess the answer - for best results - will be to pull off the front cylinder head.... strip it of it's camshaft, valve gear, rubber seals, plastic bits... etc... etc.... and send the bugger away to be powder coated.   But I haven't yet come to terms with the amount of work/effort/expense required to do this.....  

I am dreaming to think I can make it look like new (or at least more presentable) without going to all of the above mentioned effort?

[koko64]

There's carefully masking up protected areas, prepping and painting with a colour matched can. The 1100 is one of the more fiddly motors for that. I guess you can do it on the next cambelt change.

Or remove both heads for professional painting, Kamna big valves, Kamna sport cams, porting, 1200 kit, larger throttle bodies, etc. 

Or see what DP has to say.

[ducpainter]

Matching engine paint is like beating your head against a wall. Whatever you do, do it to both heads.

I used to paint the entire motor.

[Howie]

So, what is wrong with two tone? 

[ungeheuer]

Matching engine paint is like beating your head against a wall. Whatever you do, do it to both heads.

Point taken  ... Although... hardly any of the vertical head is visible anyway.... 

I used to paint the entire motor.

I have neither your skills nor equipment... so when I ask "what with?"   ...  what I really mean is.... can I expect any kind of an acceptable result out of a rattle can?

So, what is wrong with two tone? 

It's already three tone Howie.  Cylinder barrels are black, heads are a light grey/silver and the outer engine cases are a darker almost gunmetal colour...

[ducpainter]

Get some high heat silver and have at it. Hardest part will be cleaning the metal prior to painting.

It will look better for as long as it does.

[Howie]

Go harlequin

https://www.thedrive.com/news/38797/vw-made-a-new-harlequin-car-to-brighten-up-everyones-2021

[ungeheuer]

Go harlequin

https://www.thedrive.com/news/38797/vw-made-a-new-harlequin-car-to-brighten-up-everyones-2021

Y'know..... normally.... I try to respect my elders...

[Howie]

Y'know..... normally.... I try to respect my elders...

Didn't say I would do it