Xlh 883 oil tank paint

[Diogenes415]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

Oh really? Then I guess these people are spreading lies...

The technology may have been developed in the 1940s but it may not have become commercially viable until much later, like Gorilla glass which was developed in the early 60s and saw very limited use until the advent of touch-screens about 50 years later. IIRC powder coating didn't really hit the mainstream until the early 90s, before then we just used various paints, platings or anodizing on raw metals.

[John Harper]

I stripped down my '77 RD400 and had the frame cadmium plated in the late '70's. I don't recall hearing about powder coating back then. Cad plating was intended to rust proof the frame as I lived on the beach (still do) at the time. I painted it aluminum/silver after plating. Having a motorcycle with anything but a black frame back then was unheard of. The bike really stood out with black engine, silver frame, and BMW dark metallic blue paint. God, I wish I had never sold that bike. She was gorgeous and ridiculously fast.

John

[sportsterpaul]

John, we had similar experiences except mine was a kh400 triple. Never ever should have gotten rid of that one.

[Toejam503]

I always thought that HD used Epoxy Enamel on the frames back in the days before powder coating. They may still be. I painted a chopper I had with epoxy enamel and when I wanted to take it off I had to really grind it off. It was a super hard finish.