2-part question - cosmetics and electrics

[19753C(E)]

Part 1) want to clean up the dyno on the SF2.  Can't tell if its painted - tried a small area with lacquer thinner and got a fair amount of dark material but didn't look like paint.  I know its steel - you'd think there would be some sort of protective coating on it.  Suggestions?

Part 2) Spark plugs have rubber collars around them.  I assume it has something to do with the metal plug caps?  The parts book doesn't show any rubber collars...unless they're supposed to be inside the plug caps?   

 

[sfcpiet]

1) Generator is zinc-plated, road salt etc, ruins this quickly.  I have them re-plated, but it is not that easy to remove and replace the field coils.  Usually out of the scope of the average DIY'er.

2) The little rubber seals fit inside the caps, weren't available seperately.

piet

 

[19753C(E)]

Simple...thanks for the info Piet

 

[Davo]

Clean it and spray with cold galv.

 

[Smartv11]

http://www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-clear-zinc-aerosol.html

This company may help with a zinc spray paint - not tried it myself but would be interested in the resultsif you do

Paul

 

[LJ-2]

I ve seen chromed  holding clamps and painted  black with god effect.,

 

[Simonr501]

I ve seen chromed  holding clamps and painted  black with god effect.,

I would have thought god would be in white? No?

 

[LJ-2]

Jesus

 

[sfcpiet]

Jesus

Don't let Henry see that...

piet

 

[Laverdalothar]

I would have thought god would be in white? No?

God effect, not god... can be anything in yellow, red, brown, white... 

 

[sonicboom500]

I give vulnerable bits a coat of UPOL WELD 2 zinc primer or similar.
Seems to last quite well even without a top coat.
Always give car replacement exhaust welds a coat, helps stave off the salt a bit longer.

 

[19753C(E)]

So I took the dyno off and started to clean it up in preparation for a coat of the zinc primer you guys have suggested.  One question though - on the underside of the unit there is this small square fabric object.  I can't tell if its just stuck to the outside or if its pluging a hole of some sort.  What the heck is it?  Its location makes me wonder if its a drain or something.  Doesn't seem like something I should cover with paint.

 

[sfcpiet]

So I took the dyno off and started to clean it up in preparation for a coat of the zinc primer you guys have suggested.  One question though - on the underside of the unit there is this small square fabric object.  I can't tell if its just stuck to the outside or if its pluging a hole of some sort.  What the heck is it?  Its location makes me wonder if its a drain or something.  Doesn't seem like something I should cover with paint.

Correct, it is a drain hole.  The felt plug should prevent the ingress of moisture, works, sort of...

The generator is easy to disassemble, you can push the plug out from the inside.  Gives you a chance to inspect and give the generator a good clean and re-lube.

piet

 

[19753C(E)]

Finally got the dynamo refinished.  Tried zinc-based primer but that was a disaster - looked like dyno was covered with blue-gray sand.  Stripped all that off and ordered some Eastwwod silver cad aerosol (  http://www.eastwood.com/ew-silver-cad-aerosol-12-oz.html ) which is similar the product suggested earlier in this thread.  Took two weeks to arrive but I think the job turned out pretty well.  Ordered a new belt but it doesn't fit    so now I wait a couple more weeks for another one of those.  Eventually I'll get back on the road...eventually.

 

[chrisk]

Police bikes had a belt adjuster for the alternators that were fitted, shame they didn't do it for the gennies too.