Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech 2 Questions: Painting Sprocket Cover/Pipe Blueing

Yep, newbie asking stupid questions here but I can't find adequate answers on either in my search efforts.

1) Is it easy to paint the gray sprocket cover black? Has anyone done it and do you have pictures?

2) I bought my 03 TBA used, with 2500 miles on it. Pipes were barely blue near the engine join area. Now, after ~300 miles they're blue/brown for about 7 inches on one side and 5 on the other. Any idea why? If you say "lean", what the heck does that mean and how do I fix it?! I put on new EPCO pipes recently, but it started before that.

Thanks!!!!

repainted my black one black after setting the h3ll on wheels in it. Pic in the link in my signature.

First remove the air injection system and if lean (probably is if you haven't rejetted) You have to pull the bowls off the carbs and change the main jet and pilot jet, then adjust the pilot screws. Look in the tech vault for more info. Get Pats jetting calculator it is a good starting point.

Thanks for quick reply. Here's a couple links to pictures for the before and after.

Pipes at purchase: http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/dkrobinson_motorcycle/Bonnybeforebought.jpg

Pipes after 300 miles:
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/dkrobinson_motorcycle/FirstRidetoWorkwBonny2.jpg

Is that sort of major difference normal? What could have caused it to happen in such a short time?

That isn't a huge difference, if you notice in the first shot they are already turning gold. I also see you still have the AI (Air Injection) on there. I would remove that right away, it injects air after the exhaust valve causing the exhaust to be hotter. The tubes that are outboard of the spark plugs, there are kits out there to do this but it is also possible to get the parts yourself to do it at a savings. You need to remove the parts next to the plugs and plug them then pull the gas tank and remove the pump, remove and cap the vacuum line in front of the carb, and remove the big hose to the air box and plug the air box, you need to plug that since it is after the filter and if you didn't you would have unfiltered air going in your engine. The link is to a kit that'll save you a couple bucks and has everything you will need.

Elimination kit

If youre interested I have a black powdercoated sprocket cover i was gonna list in the classifieds for $50+shipping

PM me

hey blackbeauty, to get the blue off your pipes try this gord's I had the same problem with my america,I found this product in a bike rillei the guy put it on the pipes and the blue came off right in front of me,the web is www.gordsaluminumpolish.com or the address pobox 453,gregory,tx.78359 I do not work for this people so I,m not trying to sell you the product. hope it works for you

Or if you want a chrome one I have one in the classifieds for $60.