Rims - painting

prepared rims with duplicolor cleaner, taped and painted with duplicolor etching primer (2 coats) 4hrs

Rims -prepping and polishing

Stripped paint from rims with wire wheel and drill. Polished aluminum surfaces by wet sanding with 100, 220, 360 grit; then buffed with black, red and white polishing compound and various buffing pads. 5hrs

Painting and polishing

Researched painting frame and wheels and polishing aluminum parts. Quoted price to have these items done was over $1000. I will now do myself for $200 in materials. See Useful links tab for painting rims using duplicolor paints (youtube) and another link for polishing aluminum (you tube video)
4hrs

Frame

Spent 3 hrs grinding and prep frame

Found Carbs and Pipes

Found a used set of DG pipes and 32MM flatside mikuni's on line at the usa2stroke.com forum.  $500, some guy Russ from CA. Nice guy, he use to race back in the day and is also currently starting a daytona project of his own. CA really seems to have more enthusiest for the 2 strokes

Tank Painting quote

Got three quotes for the tank, side covers and tail fin. the price would be to prep, paint, apply decals, and clearcaoat. A freind from the past said $1000, Cafe Customs in Warren RI quoted $800, and guy on the internet in Dallas, with much experience in this area said $700 just for the tank. Al good options. Probably will hold off for now until I get further along with the frame and engine

Powdercoating Quote

got the quote back for powdercoating the frame, engine parts, and rims. looks like about a $1000

Day 1 of the project

12-17-10
Day 1 of the restoration project of a 1979 RD400f Daytona Special. I am excited!  I bought this basket case on ebay for $800. The irony is I purchased this bike new for $1800!

I figure it will take me about $3,000 to get to decent condition lets see! My current plans are the bore it one size over, new paint and decals, powder coat all the black parts and frame, rebuild the brake systems, new tires, new seat cover, new chain and sprockets. An yes many new nuts and bolts (i think I am missing a few). Also new pipes, carbs and airfilters, and some electrical parts