VFR400 Frame Corrosion

[Spherian]

I have a 1989 Honda VFR400 NC30 frame that seems to be corroding. Here are the pictures:

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...nc30_frame.jpg

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...c30_frame2.jpg

It's corrosion that occurred underneath the oxidized layer. You can actually peel off more of that layer and get this powdery white corrosion underneath.

Does anyone know how to repair such damage? My only other options are 1. Find another frame (Yeah. . . like that's going to happen) or 2. Chop that part off, fabricate a new one, weld it on, heat treat the frame, and realign it (Does anyone know someone who does this sort of thing?)

The VFR400 is a very beautiful bike. . . I got all the pieces for the rebuild. Unfortunately, I'm stuck on step one with the frame corrosion. . . would love to hear those gear driven cams whine all the way up to 16k one day. . .

Thanks for any advice.

[Doc]

Need better pics but are you sure it isn't just the clear coat coming off and a little oxidation of the aluminium happening?

[Spherian]

Here are two more pictures. The layer that is coming off is metal. . . almost like really hard tin foil, so I'm pretty sure it's not the clear coat coming off. There's also a lot of white powdery aluminum oxides underneath the layer.

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSCN1935.jpg

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSCN1934.jpg

I really wish it was just surface corrosion. You can see in one of the previous pictures (outline in the rectangular box) that the surface metal layer is also peeling off between the two metal plates, which makes this problem even more interesting.

[tonyd]

Here are two more pictures. The layer that is coming off is metal. . . almost like really hard tin foil, so I'm pretty sure it's not the clear coat coming off. There's also a lot of white powdery aluminum oxides underneath the layer.

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSCN1935.jpg

http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/y...t=DSCN1934.jpg

I really wish it was just surface corrosion. You can see in one of the previous pictures (outline in the rectangular box) that the surface metal layer is also peeling off between the two metal plates, which makes this problem even more interesting.

strip it down with wire wheel, ship out for powder coat ?

[DuncanMoto]

I believe what you are looking at is hard anodizing De-laminating.
Check with a powder coating specialist to be sure, but I would definitely try to fix your current frame.

[scottieducati]

If you need to check anything against a good frame, mine is currently bare and clean. You should be able to get any types of measurements you may need and use mine as a "template."

Shoot me a PM or email scottieducati@gmail.com if you'd like to talk further off-line, I'm doing quite a build on my NC-30, and am good friends with a fellow who has an NC-35 that he's building as well. We have very good connections for parts or other bits you may need. Getting stuff for these bikes, as I'm sure you know, is not easy.

[Jim]

So how is your build going along Scottie

[Spherian]

I've been looking around for a few anodizing/powder coating shop to repair this frame. Unfortunately, no shops that I have found offer such services. Does anyone have one they have done business with and could recommend?

[DynoTune]

my rvf400 does not have any of that....thats real wierd... I would clean it up and not worry about it to much. Clear coat would be great.......