Devil in the details pt.1

The Devil is in the details as we have all heard time and again. What that really means is that anything worth doing is worth doing as well and completely as possible. 

One thing that bugs me about a lot of mass-produced items is the lack of detailing that you get stuck with. Casting lines, machine marks (when not a style choice), uneven finish etc. 

You can really clean up a piece and give it some otherwise unattained class by just doing a little work; some sweat, some time and some hand tools in some combination will turn the heat up on your bike considerably.

Rough casting marks look like shit, definitely 70's Japanese....

Poorly finished casting, lumpy weld with spatter all over...check, check and check!

Gotta start somewhere, I choose here and let's begin with medium 1/2 bastard. Don't go nuts, just knock off the worst of it and keep at it until you've got all the shit initially cut down.

....should begin to look like this, again don't go crazy...there are more steps....

I missed a few steps because I'm better at DOING work than taking pictures of it. After knocking off the worst with the bastard file, go back over it with a medium mill file them a fine. Once you're at that point, go into any rounds with a......round file, crazy huh? Note the file marks still visible in the iron....

More round file work...

A few shots after the fine file passes.....

After the final blend with the fine file I went over it with an angle grinder and a 220 grit flap wheel. Since this piece isn't getting plated or polished I will be sandblasting it, sealing it and painting with Rustoleum 'Texture-Black' which is a neat, tough and unique finish I like a lot on understated parts. More to come......