In one of the previous videos where you poured a bunch of water out of the frame tubes I asked if this bike had ever been parked in the Thames, but you never responded. After viewing the condition of the swing arm, I think my question has been answered. lol With that out of the way, I've used vinegar and salt method to dissolve rust for years. When you see the tiny bubbles stop, you know the rust has been dissolved. I usually dry my parts afterwards in the kitchen oven, but that's probably one of the reasons why I live a monastic lifestyle.
I was going to hold off on commenting on your killer videos, until I finished watching this whole build, but I would like to mention I remember in a early 2000`s Hot Rod Bikes magazine (American), they had a article on how to brace up the swing arm and it still looked stock. Keep up the great work!
Did you choose the chemical approach to demonstrate it as a possiblility instead of sand blasting? Wouldnt blasting have achieved same/similar results quicker?
I wanted to go gently with this because sand blasting's quite aggressive... if the metal's too badly eaten in to, it will just blow holes in it... blasting with walnut shells would have been ok which I don't have access to as that's an industrial process which you need a walk in booth for and I just used some glass beads on very low air pressure once I got the worst off. 'Sand' blasting often does more damage than good...
Great job accomplishing your goals here without having to use a bunch of nasty and dangerous chemicals. Your grandma was a smart lady. No wonder you're so talented, it's hereditary. 😊 Every video in this series just keeps moving the bar higher and higher.....Amazing content !!! Big thanks again, Del and Penney.❤👍👍
Thank you Rick for those wonderful words of support and encouragement, we should all pass on these simple tricks to avoid using noxious chemicals, the world's becoming more aware of the environmental impact we have and methods like this keep us focused on keeping it 'green' whilst we still do what we love! Glad you're enjoying the project and thank you again for your kind words, D&Px
I would agree with the others and explore powder coating, at least for this piece. If you're going to beat on this thing riding then adding some extra protection couldn't hurt. Regardless... how's the TT fever over there?
my sway bar on the savana3500 just snapped from rust, i've been getting myself into the madness of rust repair lately. fun stuff! lol thanks for the extra tips!
Just back from a 2.5 hour ride in the Swedish countryside to be greeted with Delboys garage. doesn't get any better. Cracking idea using household chemicals worked a treat Del. This bike will be known as a survivor in years to come. Smashed it well done mate. Have a brill weekend D&P! Take care. 🥳👍🏻🍺🍺
Thanks Paul, glad to hear you're out and about and enjoying some sunshine! We both appreciate your watching and glad to hear you're enjoying this project! Take care and ride safe, D&Px
Thank god we don’t get that road acid over here in Oz. There’s so many ways of removing determined rust that cost a lot of coin. You done the best option with easy access to kitchen stuff and what you’ve got on hand in your workshop. Great common sense to build with a budget.
Is always very interesting to see your work and the quality of your videos. This project is very ambitious but it is in the right hands. Thank you for sharing your projects and the right way of doing things, especially for the honesty with which you do it. It is a luxury to be able to follow your work. Have a nice weekend
I did think Del that the swing arm looked like it might have some problems left by the rust but you're thorough clean back revealed it was still in good order - nice one 👍
Exactly that Richard, just went the gentlest route to dissolve the rust and as the metal's 3mm thick, it was absolutely fine to carry on using for the project, just needs some good stone chip protection now!
Hey mate, yes, we both worked all day today but yes, a couple of days to relax now, getting out for a ride tomorrow... have a great weekend, we'll catch ya soon! D&Px
It's nifty. I use vinegar/water to clean and de-rust smaller, more delicate rust but no salt. I have seen salt used in industrial scale to make anti-corrosion conversion coatings but that chemistry is one I just except, not really understand. Real metallurgy is the closest thing to real magic there is. 50/50 vinegar and water is good for cleaning switches and electrical contacts in something that a battery leaked in. It's slow, but that's how it doesn't screw up the good part. Just make sure to allow appropriate dehydration time before re-use. I would have used Naval Jelly to convert the rust on the Sportster swing arm. Not saying it would be better but it would be very good done correctly and just easier. Just an option. Do they salt the roads in winter where you are? That thing was nasty.
Do they salt the roads in winter? OMG you wouldn't believe it, we need a month of monsoon weather in the Spring to even get close to washing it away... they layer it up here 6 months of the year!!
Harley Davidson has bad factory quality control and bad factory workmanship. Mine is sitting in my garage and will never be fixed. I could sell it but I keep it as a reminder to never buy another HD. I love my new Yamaha. Yamaha makes the most reliable vee twins in the world.
Any advice on bleeding Harley m8 ( twin front disc) abs , bled system with vacuum pump and the old fashion way . Brakes still fell like thers air in system.
Not always the best way to do it, aggressive rust removal can do a lot of damage that you didn't need to make, turned out that it was ok, although the rust was deep, the metal is 3mm thick so more than ok to use as is... just needs some careful preparation and some thick stone chip paint to protect it going forward! Take care and have a great weekend Sir.
Really nice work mate. That thing is gonna be perfect when you’re done. I really wanna strip my Sportster down and sort the framework out. It’s only a 2016 Iron but it’s already a bit of a rust bucket as it was my only form of transport for a few years and I rode it daily in all weather.
Nice tips Del. Have you tried electrolysis? I think next time I have rust to remove on a bike project I will be giving electrolysis a try. Anyhow looking forward to seeing how this project turns out. 👍
Thanks Mike, not something I've tried yet, may ways to skin a cat, this works just fine and cost pennies... looking to get lots of protection on to this for the future, so needed every scrap of oxidisation gone!... have a great weekend buddy and keep safe!
This video is good timing. I've got a fuel tank that is very very rusty, and I was going to search for videos on dealing with, and you went and posted this. Thank you very much 👍🏻
Hi Paul, try some ball bearings in the fuel tank with the vinegar wash, it will help agitate and loosen any rust and wash the tank out, just like I did here with bicarb of soda and warm water to neutralise the vinegar, and for what it's worth mate, I think if you look it up, you'll find white vinegar contains acetic acid.
Another nice video Del & Penny. Excellent job on neutralizing the rust mate, the old ways work every time. Hope you're starting to get some good weather over there now, as it's starting to get bloody cold over this side of the pond. Have a great weekend and take care . Cheers
Hi mate, glad you enjoyed the video, I love these simple old fashioned processes, they never get old, or out of date, no matter what posh chemicals are out there... yes, it's getting warmer now but don't worry, our summer's are usually no more than a fortnight in June, so you should have it back soon ha ha! Have a great weekend there, take care, D&Px
If it was me I'd treat it with VACTAN before you paint it stop the rust coming back can also put some VACTAN down inside the arm and move it around to coat all the inside
Hi mate, this is the one I use for small torque values, doesn't matter what fasterners, you can attach any tool to the end of it... www.spanner-monkey.co.uk/Wiha-Torque-T-Handle-ST-Plus-TorqueVario-Set-29234?search=torque%20vario&description=true
Awesome video! Great results! Are you keeping the original paint scheme/color? I am really enjoying this build thanks for sharing! P.s did you end up having fish and chips for dinner after all that salt and vinegar lol😁
Thank for your kind words, I've no plans for dramatic colour changes, just focusing on restoration of all the decay for now and I'll deal with styling and colour later!
hey del hows tricks m8 can i ask why not powder coat it andthat would fill in all the pit marks and give you a good finnish as well m8 atb have a great weekend cheers iain and i see you nicked pennys toothbrush again
It's powder coat that's flaking off all over this thing mate, so I don't share your faith in it and it's expensive as well, this application needs a soft stone chip paint to protect it for the future which has never failed me yet! Have a great weekend!
Pretty cool, Del! Neat way to neutralize rust… I bet it won’t grow hair anymore either! Tesco owes you ad money, too. Hope you both are doing well there! 🏍👍🏍
Yeah works a treat buddy, who'd have thought that salt, which is the biggest promoter of rust, would actually part of the recipe to cure it!... but I guess that's the dark art of chemistry aye?! Take care both and have a great weekend, D&Px
Hi Del I haven’t talked to you in a few years bro. Yes I still have the old reliable 2k 1200 Sporty Custom . It is a rock man. Thank you Harley for making the Sportster . Going strong since 1957. You can’t argue it it is just that damn good.
Nice work - always good to see effective methods that use easily obtainable "household items" - and I couldn't help but think of "Breaking Bad" when you were measuring out the white powder on the scales Del - ha! Many thanks guys! x
Cheers Mike, I couldn't possibly comment mate, I don't know what you mean!! But you know how it is, nothing like an accurate measurement! Have a great weekend and keep safe there, D&Px
Another great video brother ! really enjoy this restoration project 👍 lots of work but it will pay off at the end ! keep up the great work stay safe guys cheers from new york 🥂🥂🥂🍺🍺🍺
Hey brother, thank you for your kind support, it's great to know you're enjoying it, it's a long old process but enjoyable every step of the way! Take care both of you and stay in touch, D&Px
One year in, & now he's swing-arm wrestling a poor defenseless Harley, can mere solid steel take this assault in it's molecular integrity & remain as weirdly bent as the maker intended? Can this pivot of of a thousand torques, this sprung fork arching the void twixt bump absorption & hope, rigidly maintain it's true design goal once introduced to the endless vanities of beautification? I speak from experience, my knees can go feak & weeble after a bad haircut. Happy Jubileefercations : )xx
Aways good to hear the words of the lyrical gangsta! Hoping you're indulging in much Jubilee celebrations and eating too much cake! Have a great weekend, always good to hear from you! D&Px
Not to be a pain in the ass me I think you are one hell of a mechanic and I have a 2006 Heritage Softail and have done all the oils on her ! Thank you for that it was great. Now my problem is the back breaks need replacing could you do one on that please I have been on UA-cam and no one does the breaks on that year it would be helpful. I now know how to change the breaks on a Mazda Miata but not on my bike. Thank you from across the pond.
I haven't got that bike available to me to make such a video Kevin, but thank you for your kind words, jobs like this are pretty generic, it still has a caliper and pads and a fluid supply, the calipers are mounted simply on the frame, so if you were to get yourself a service manual, it wouldn't be a difficult job to carry out... good luck with it!
In one of the previous videos where you poured a bunch of water out of the frame tubes I asked if this bike had ever been parked in the Thames, but you never responded. After viewing the condition of the swing arm, I think my question has been answered. lol With that out of the way, I've used vinegar and salt method to dissolve rust for years. When you see the tiny bubbles stop, you know the rust has been dissolved. I usually dry my parts afterwards in the kitchen oven, but that's probably one of the reasons why I live a monastic lifestyle.
I was going to hold off on commenting on your killer videos, until I finished watching this whole build, but I would like to mention I remember in a early 2000`s Hot Rod Bikes magazine (American), they had a article on how to brace up the swing arm and it still looked stock. Keep up the great work!
Did you choose the chemical approach to demonstrate it as a possiblility instead of sand blasting? Wouldnt blasting have achieved same/similar results quicker?
I wanted to go gently with this because sand blasting's quite aggressive... if the metal's too badly eaten in to, it will just blow holes in it... blasting with walnut shells would have been ok which I don't have access to as that's an industrial process which you need a walk in booth for and I just used some glass beads on very low air pressure once I got the worst off. 'Sand' blasting often does more damage than good...
nice to see you using different methods of rust removal. Did you consider using electrolysis as this also works really well
Great job accomplishing your goals here without having to use a bunch of nasty and dangerous chemicals. Your grandma was a smart lady. No wonder you're so talented, it's hereditary. 😊 Every video in this series just keeps moving the bar higher and higher.....Amazing content !!! Big thanks again, Del and Penney.❤👍👍
Thank you Rick for those wonderful words of support and encouragement, we should all pass on these simple tricks to avoid using noxious chemicals, the world's becoming more aware of the environmental impact we have and methods like this keep us focused on keeping it 'green' whilst we still do what we love! Glad you're enjoying the project and thank you again for your kind words, D&Px
I would agree with the others and explore powder coating, at least for this piece. If you're going to beat on this thing riding then adding some extra protection couldn't hurt.
Regardless... how's the TT fever over there?
my sway bar on the savana3500 just snapped from rust, i've been getting myself into the madness of rust repair lately. fun stuff! lol thanks for the extra tips!
Just back from a 2.5 hour ride in the Swedish countryside to be greeted with Delboys garage. doesn't get any better.
Cracking idea using household chemicals worked a treat Del. This bike will be known as a survivor in years to come. Smashed it well done mate. Have a brill weekend D&P! Take care. 🥳👍🏻🍺🍺
Thanks Paul, glad to hear you're out and about and enjoying some sunshine! We both appreciate your watching and glad to hear you're enjoying this project! Take care and ride safe, D&Px
A lot of work. But as you've shown us so often it is essential for an immaculate paint job. Good luck tomorrow.
Günter from Nürnberg/Germany
Indeed Sir, great things are achieved through a little hard work and determination aye. !
Thank god we don’t get that road acid over here in Oz.
There’s so many ways of removing determined rust that cost a lot of coin.
You done the best option with easy access to kitchen stuff and what you’ve got on hand in your workshop.
Great common sense to build with a budget.
Thanks mate, projects are endless spending if you're not careful, so this is a great way to save some money and still get the job done!
Is always very interesting to see your work and the quality of your videos. This project is very ambitious but it is in the right hands. Thank you for sharing your projects and the right way of doing things, especially for the honesty with which you do it. It is a luxury to be able to follow your work.
Have a nice weekend
Thank you very much for such kind words Frank, we're glad you're enjoying the project.
I did think Del that the swing arm looked like it might have some problems left by the rust but you're thorough clean back revealed it was still in good order - nice one 👍
Exactly that Richard, just went the gentlest route to dissolve the rust and as the metal's 3mm thick, it was absolutely fine to carry on using for the project, just needs some good stone chip protection now!
@@Moonfleet41 👍
What a nice surprise, notification popped up & I thought it was Sunday after having 2 days at home. Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend.
Hey mate, yes, we both worked all day today but yes, a couple of days to relax now, getting out for a ride tomorrow... have a great weekend, we'll catch ya soon! D&Px
perfect time to do an overhaul on that bike,, you've bought it a lot more years ! ,, you 2 have a great weekend !
You got that right Paul, have a great weekend yourself and keep safe, D&Px
It's nifty. I use vinegar/water to clean and de-rust smaller, more delicate rust but no salt. I have seen salt used in industrial scale to make anti-corrosion conversion coatings but that chemistry is one I just except, not really understand. Real metallurgy is the closest thing to real magic there is.
50/50 vinegar and water is good for cleaning switches and electrical contacts in something that a battery leaked in. It's slow, but that's how it doesn't screw up the good part. Just make sure to allow appropriate dehydration time before re-use.
I would have used Naval Jelly to convert the rust on the Sportster swing arm. Not saying it would be better but it would be very good done correctly and just easier. Just an option.
Do they salt the roads in winter where you are? That thing was nasty.
Do they salt the roads in winter? OMG you wouldn't believe it, we need a month of monsoon weather in the Spring to even get close to washing it away... they layer it up here 6 months of the year!!
@@Moonfleet41 That explains all that rust then.
Thats a lot of work to renovate a swing arm. I'd buy a new one.....
Super restauration 👍
Harley Davidson has bad factory quality control and bad factory workmanship. Mine is sitting in my garage and will never be fixed. I could sell it but I keep it as a reminder to never buy another HD. I love my new Yamaha. Yamaha makes the most reliable vee twins in the world.
Any advice on bleeding Harley m8 ( twin front disc) abs , bled system with vacuum pump and the old fashion way . Brakes still fell like thers air in system.
You’re a better man than me sir. I would have blasted it and been done with it. Congrats.
Not always the best way to do it, aggressive rust removal can do a lot of damage that you didn't need to make, turned out that it was ok, although the rust was deep, the metal is 3mm thick so more than ok to use as is... just needs some careful preparation and some thick stone chip paint to protect it going forward! Take care and have a great weekend Sir.
Nice one, Del! Proper prep prevents....... Cheers!
Absolutely sir... !
Really nice work mate. That thing is gonna be perfect when you’re done.
I really wanna strip my Sportster down and sort the framework out. It’s only a 2016 Iron but it’s already a bit of a rust bucket as it was my only form of transport for a few years and I rode it daily in all weather.
That's great to hear, nothing like hearing that a bike's ridden daily and not treated like a precious princess pony... ride safe mate!
Looks good Del.
That blast cabinet needs to little tune up..
Just my 2cents 🤣👌.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks 👍, have a great weekend too!
Nice tips Del. Have you tried electrolysis? I think next time I have rust to remove on a bike project I will be giving electrolysis a try. Anyhow looking forward to seeing how this project turns out. 👍
Thanks Mike, not something I've tried yet, may ways to skin a cat, this works just fine and cost pennies... looking to get lots of protection on to this for the future, so needed every scrap of oxidisation gone!... have a great weekend buddy and keep safe!
This video is good timing. I've got a fuel tank that is very very rusty, and I was going to search for videos on dealing with, and you went and posted this. Thank you very much 👍🏻
Hi Paul, try some ball bearings in the fuel tank with the vinegar wash, it will help agitate and loosen any rust and wash the tank out, just like I did here with bicarb of soda and warm water to neutralise the vinegar, and for what it's worth mate, I think if you look it up, you'll find white vinegar contains acetic acid.
@@Moonfleet41 Excellent 👍🏻 thank you for the advice. I will add the ball bearings.
@@Moonfleet41 Btw, keep up the good work. I never miss a video 👍🏻
Another nice video Del & Penny. Excellent job on neutralizing the rust mate, the old ways work every time. Hope you're starting to get some good weather over there now, as it's starting to get bloody cold over this side of the pond. Have a great weekend and take care . Cheers
Hi mate, glad you enjoyed the video, I love these simple old fashioned processes, they never get old, or out of date, no matter what posh chemicals are out there... yes, it's getting warmer now but don't worry, our summer's are usually no more than a fortnight in June, so you should have it back soon ha ha! Have a great weekend there, take care, D&Px
Try drying it in the wife's oven LOL
Old ways are the best and cheap way for cleaning , great video Sir
If it was me I'd treat it with VACTAN before you paint it stop the rust coming back can also put some VACTAN down inside the arm and move it around to coat all the inside
Hi DELL.
JIS FASTENERS AND ALIKE WHAT TORQUE WRENCH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND I HAVE 4 WERA BUT VERY LOW POUNDAGE !!
Hi mate, this is the one I use for small torque values, doesn't matter what fasterners, you can attach any tool to the end of it... www.spanner-monkey.co.uk/Wiha-Torque-T-Handle-ST-Plus-TorqueVario-Set-29234?search=torque%20vario&description=true
please can u do a day to day bike and show us how to keep our bikes tip top and on the road for everyday stuff .....
Great work again Del. Does the ‘sharp and tangy’ vinegar not stink out the workshop?
Awesome video! Great results! Are you keeping the original paint scheme/color? I am really enjoying this build thanks for sharing! P.s did you end up having fish and chips for dinner after all that salt and vinegar lol😁
Thank for your kind words, I've no plans for dramatic colour changes, just focusing on restoration of all the decay for now and I'll deal with styling and colour later!
The detail you work to is awesome Del👍
Thanks 👍
hey del hows tricks m8 can i ask why not powder coat it andthat would fill in all the pit marks and give you a good finnish as well m8 atb have a great weekend cheers iain and i see you nicked pennys toothbrush again
It's powder coat that's flaking off all over this thing mate, so I don't share your faith in it and it's expensive as well, this application needs a soft stone chip paint to protect it for the future which has never failed me yet! Have a great weekend!
Del, I'm sorry Sir, but that's not powder coating on that swing arm.
@@Moonfleet41 del i dont think thats powder coating on there mate that came off way to easy for powder coating m8
Pretty cool, Del! Neat way to neutralize rust… I bet it won’t grow hair anymore either! Tesco owes you ad money, too.
Hope you both are doing well there!
🏍👍🏍
Yeah works a treat buddy, who'd have thought that salt, which is the biggest promoter of rust, would actually part of the recipe to cure it!... but I guess that's the dark art of chemistry aye?! Take care both and have a great weekend, D&Px
@@Moonfleet41 Zackly! 😎
Triumph shirt where to get?Thanks limey.
Great stuff del! I am enjoying the ride. Cheers mate!
Thanks Shaun, Glad to hear it mate !
Even weighed the salt on the special salter scale!😅
Right tool for the job boddy!
Hi Del I haven’t talked to you in a few years bro. Yes I still have the old reliable 2k 1200 Sporty Custom . It is a rock man. Thank you Harley for making the Sportster . Going strong since 1957. You can’t argue it it is just that damn good.
Good to hear from you Karl, glad you're ok and still enjoying the Sporty.. Timeless bikes aye.!
Refreshing as hell watching actual professional work in progress....thanks big time mister!
Glad you enjoyed it, we appreciate you watching!
Hi Del thank you for your great tips on rust removal mate
Most welcome Dean, good to hear form you always mate.!
Nice work - always good to see effective methods that use easily obtainable "household items" - and I couldn't help but think of "Breaking Bad" when you were measuring out the white powder on the scales Del - ha! Many thanks guys! x
Cheers Mike, I couldn't possibly comment mate, I don't know what you mean!! But you know how it is, nothing like an accurate measurement! Have a great weekend and keep safe there, D&Px
Swing arms suck 🤣 I'd be buying the lowbrow customs weld on hardtail, no frame jig required
Another great video brother ! really enjoy this restoration project 👍 lots of work but it will pay off at the end ! keep up the great work stay safe guys cheers from new york 🥂🥂🥂🍺🍺🍺
Hey brother, thank you for your kind support, it's great to know you're enjoying it, it's a long old process but enjoyable every step of the way! Take care both of you and stay in touch, D&Px
It would have been a lot easier to sandblast it
Doesn't fit in my blast booth buddy, Doh! ...lol!
All that hard work is really going to pay off in the end.
Hello! Just started subscribing. 😀love all your videos. Keep up the good work.
One year in, & now he's swing-arm wrestling a poor defenseless Harley, can mere solid steel take this assault in it's molecular integrity & remain as weirdly bent as the maker intended? Can this pivot of of a thousand torques, this sprung fork arching the void twixt bump absorption & hope, rigidly maintain it's true design goal once introduced to the endless vanities of beautification? I speak from experience, my knees can go feak & weeble after a bad haircut. Happy Jubileefercations : )xx
Aways good to hear the words of the lyrical gangsta! Hoping you're indulging in much Jubilee celebrations and eating too much cake! Have a great weekend, always good to hear from you! D&Px
Not to be a pain in the ass me I think you are one hell of a mechanic and I have a 2006 Heritage Softail and have done all the oils on her ! Thank you for that it was great. Now my problem is the back breaks need replacing could you do one on that please I have been on UA-cam and no one does the breaks on that year it would be helpful. I now know how to change the breaks on a Mazda Miata but not on my bike. Thank you from across the pond.
I haven't got that bike available to me to make such a video Kevin, but thank you for your kind words, jobs like this are pretty generic, it still has a caliper and pads and a fluid supply, the calipers are mounted simply on the frame, so if you were to get yourself a service manual, it wouldn't be a difficult job to carry out... good luck with it!
@@Moonfleet41 thank you sir for your response
Love your videos...your the best on UA-cam!!!
That's very nice of you, thank you so much!
@@Moonfleet41 you are most welcome sir!!!!
When the scales fell from his eyes he was the salter of the earth 🌎