K11 Owners Group

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject: Ugly Cat

No, I'm not talking about your neighbors mangy feline, I'm talking about the catalytic converter. Mine looks like an old C ration can that washed up on a beach after floating in the ocean for a few years.

Can these be powder coated or ceramic painted? Or is the heat just too hot for any kind of coating?

It's the worst looking part on my bike, what can I do to make my kitty look better?
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Shoganai · Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:44 pm Post subject:

I've always thought the same thing.

Nothing I've applied has worked no matter the amount of elbow grease I've used.

I look forward to reading the replies.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:24 am Post subject:

How it looks:

_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Jim · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:30 am Post subject:

Steve - it's either the coating or the rattle can...
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Moondog · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 5:28 am Post subject:

Check your exhaust attach flanges. If they are cracked, think about replacing the whole muffler. The K-bike exhaust flanges are notorious for cracking.

I tried having it welded buit the weld didn't hold. Tried twice. So I bought a Remus. Nice and shiny. And I stay ahead of losing the shine with a good polish now and then.
_________________
"Badges? We don't need no stinking badges"!

I like the social aspect of riding. Rally's, socializing, drinking beer, fartin' and carrying on. Smile

2004 R1150RS
1996 K1100RS (moved on to new home)

Saltcreek · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:47 am Post subject:

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

I was wondering about the high heat spray paint, but thought the cat might get so hot as to just vaporize it.

I'll give it a go, can't cost much to find out.

Thanks OTG!
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 8:46 am Post subject:

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:30 pm Post subject:

Looking much better now, easy as pie, just taped off everything else. Also painted the headers with the same stuff.

Also painted the heat shield under the shifter and the center stand and kick stand, different paint for each. Just used regular paint for the kickstand, center stand, and heat shield (although did the underside of the shield with the high heat stuff. Also polished up the chrome on the exhaust.

Before:

Used this stuff from the local auto parts store, even more temp resistant than grill paint. They even had it in red, yellow and orange! Thought that might be a bit much.

My kitty is now pretty...we'll see how it holds up. I have to do a heat up cool down cycle to "cure" the paint.

Best $5 I ever spent!
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Jim · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:37 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: ugly cat

Steve - looks good! Some of us will get to see it in person in a month.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Shoganai · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 10:39 pm Post subject:

AWSOME!!!!

I want, I want.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 11:45 pm Post subject:

Excellent job there. The headers for my black ceramic-coated Staintune on the RS look like crap. I may just have to break down and spray them. They did the exhaust for $50 which I thought was good but wanted another $120 for the headers.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:25 am Post subject:

Nice job.

My exhaust looks like crap also- seems to be a common problem here.

Would like to do something but after $$$ for the new RAM shock, I'd never get it past she who must be obeyed. Besides, oh, never mind.......

Thought of metal polishing compound with a buffing wheel but it sounds as if Gwen may have tried that already. Rattle can might be in my future.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

QXEA · Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 13 Location: PDX USA

A good metal polish for stainless is Met-all aluminum polish. It works great on stainless steel in addition to being one of the best aluminum polishes around. You can hand polish with it but does take some time, a power buffer is a quicker way to go. It is primarly marketed to the aviation industry but I have seen it in auto supply stores.

Geoff · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

Nice paint job.

I use Nevr-Dull or Semichrome polish and a buffer wheel mounted in a drill.

_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

Stoked Steve · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 7:51 pm Post subject:

Just a follow up one year later. Still looks good, a few scuffs from the boots hitting it and melting, but that would happen with any coating.

I'm sure I could hit it with a quick new coat to freshen it up.

Sure beats the original look.

_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom