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How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:42 pm
by tanto
I'm toying with the idea of fitting some of Tyga's delicious carbon in-fill panels. Trouble is, the choke lever has faded to a light grey. What's the best way to re-finish or re-condition the choke levers, or is a replacement the best option (and where would that be found?)? Any ideas appreciated. Thanks!

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:49 pm
by Drunkn Munky
TYGA sell replacement levers, failing that im sure honda will ;)

EDIT: ah choke lever....thought you said brake lever...doh :oops:

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:23 pm
by banoffee
I thought about those, however realised that it would be very tricky (impossible?) to get to the rad cap without removing the infill and the side panel, something that's not a prob with the standard plastic ones...

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 5:26 pm
by veefer400
Give it a scrub with wet&dry, then a smear of ATF50 to weatherproof it... :grin:

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:15 pm
by superlite
Mothers 'Back to Black' works quite well, depending on whether the plastic has started to decay or not.

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 11:43 pm
by mattjc
banoffee wrote:I thought about those, however realised that it would be very tricky (impossible?) to get to the rad cap without removing the infill and the side panel, something that's not a prob with the standard plastic ones...
I've got some of these from V4Chris on here (not seen his name around for a while though, but a PM wouldn't hurt), I love em, very yummy! Think he has a website - Carbon Infinity, where you can purchase stuff too, just be warned as it could get messy :drool: :drool: , lol.

As for the rad cap it hasn't been a problem for me as there is a little give, but I did find it a little easier undoing the top bolt.

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:10 am
by tygapaul
excuse typos:

wile = wipe
i = in

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:23 am
by tygapaul
weird. my original message didn't get posted, only my correction one. :oops: I'll shut up in a bit and retreat back in the corner after I have given it one more attempt:

Method we used:

1. Clean thorough plastic part such as choke lever with dregreaser and detergent
2. Apply a black magic marker but this will leave a bit too glossy a finish so kind of smear it with your finger before it properly dries so it just adds some black to the the part without looking like it was painted by a 2 year old
3. Get out a chinagraph pencil and rub it over the lettering until the recessed lettering is full of nice bright white.
4. Wipe any excess white from the part with a cloth being careful to get any chalk out of the grooves etc.
5. Touch up with magic marker or pencil as necessary.

This method can be used on ignition switchs and kill switches and fuel cocks to good effect. The chinagraph pencil knocks years of your bike!

Next lesson is on how to remove scratches and gouges in the frame and swing arm with a big lump hammer and 150 sandpaper (honestly)...

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:43 pm
by force-v4
Now that ive got to hear!

Re: How to re-finish the choke lever

Posted: Wed Dec 29, 2010 12:34 am
by tanto
tygapaul - Chinagraph pencil, huh. Last time I used one of those, it was stowed in the sleeve pocket of my DPM jacket... I think I saw some in BKK last time I was there, but can't remember for the life of me where. Any idea who stocks them in Thailand, or is one included with the Tyga carbon in-fills as part of a special Xmas promo?!! :grin:

As for, "how to remove scratches and gouges in the frame and swing arm with a big lump hammer and 150 sandpaper..", go on, you've got to tell us now!