Paint Flaking - Cylinders

[beardyweirdy@me.com_imp]

My cylinders are in a bit of a mess!
Have a look at these pics....







It was new in Aug 2014, so its mid way thru its 3rd winter. It lives outside and I ride all year.

I have a hose right by where I park my bike and always wash her down if she's been out in the wet. Extra thoroughly in winter.

It's just the cylinders really, the cases and Cylinder heads all seem to be holding up quite well. I had the spark plug manifolds re-placed under warranty for the same problem.

I understand that things age but I'm a little disappointed with the quality of the paint. Is that un-reasonable?
I'm out of warranty by 6 months now, so it's all academic really.

I was thinking of painting them in situ with a HT Black satin paint. Not ideal but it's got to be better than them looking all scabby like that. Especially as the rest of the bike looks so nice....

"in situ" ?

Are you thinking about using a wire brush to remove the flakey stuff, and then using a brush to paint the cylinders on the assembled bike? That might be a little tricky.

Removing the cylinders and having them bead blasted and spray painted would be better, but expensive and time consuming.

Either way the motor would look better all aluminum. Just compare a picture of the 2014 Deluxe versus the 2017 EX. Having the motor all aluminum makes it stand out as the centerpiece of the motorcycle.

I know there is heat resistant aluminum spray paint, because I painted the steel cylinders of my 1966 Yamaha 305 with it when they rusted.

"in situ" ?

Are you thinking about using a wire brush to remove the flakey stuff, and then using a brush to paint the cylinders on the assembled bike? That might be a little tricky.

Removing the cylinders and having them bead blasted and spray painted would be better, but expensive and time consuming.

Either way the motor would look better all aluminum. Just compare a picture of the 2014 Deluxe versus the 2017 EX. Having the motor all aluminum makes it stand out as the centerpiece of the motorcycle.

I know there is heat resistant aluminum spray paint, because I painted the steel cylinders of my 1966 Yamaha 305 with it when they rusted.
i just had a look at the new2017 EX and I don't like the black barrels.
Your right, it looks much better with an all silver Engine. Although polishing the barrels will be hassle.

May just clean up and have done... Thanks, glad you joined that out. I hadn't realised the new EX already had what I was thinking of doing to mine.

It's doesn't seem to be a common problem. I'm sure it has to do with the outside elements that it's exposed to. I live and ride near the ocean all the time all year round and I don't have any issues on my 2014 with the finish at all other than the horn bracket has a little oxidation. I do wash it regularly and it is garaged. Do you cover it? Do you ride near salt water? Could be from lots of external element factors where you live. I don't know what would cause it.

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I know my 2014 has a different finish but still that seems quite extreme.

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I used to cover it but I thought the condensation was worse than letting it dry out, so now I leave it uncovered.

I'm kind of surprised that the fins are painted. Has it always been that way with Honda's air cooled fours?

I don't think so. I'm sure my 400/4's had bare fins. Not certain tho.

Are the barrels painted on the USA models?