Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

OK, I am ready to begin reassembling some motors, but one is badly painted a silver color. What color of black should I use to repaint it? Any recommendations on paint? Can or compressor? Also, is it better to assemble the motor or just paint the cases, head, jug, etc separate? Bear in mind I a not going for concours, just good enough to look good and not come apart the first couple rides.

I use Dupli-Color DE1634 engine enamel. It's similar to the OEM Honda paint, a bit less glossy and black-black, very durable. I would NOT recommend DE1635 - it looks a little closer to the original, but doesn't stick to either D-C primer or bare metal well at all.

I assemble the cases with all screws medium-tight first, then pull the screws out and use two old ones to hold it together while painting, with old side covers to prevent overspray (I've got a bunch lying around, and I'm too lazy to mask). Everything else I paint separately before assembly. I like the look of black screws, just not painted black. I also heat the paint and work beforehand with a small space heater, I like it when both are around 90F or so.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric

For my Elsinores I used a spray can. Use good quality paint from automotive store such as NAPA. Not gloss. Not flat. Use semigloss. Does not have to be high heat paint.
Paint individual parts before you assemble the engine. Strip the old paint off first with a spray on stripper. Do this outdoors the fumes are terrible. Take your time and your engine will look great and your bike will go faster. Happy painting.