1972 FLH Part II
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I found a nice original front fender lower trim, with no extra holes drilled and only minor scratches. Good find at good price. Also found a nice Wagner rear master cylinder to replace the chrome aftermarket junk.
Its time to start working on some things. I want to powdercoat the frame, but I really would love to retain the VIN sticker on the right front downtube. I am wondering if I used a hair dryer, or possibly heat gun, if I could carefully remove the sticker so I can reinstall it. I hate to lose it, and I don't think it would survive the heat of powercoat oven if I left it on and masked it. Its also hard to not lose the clarity of the VIN stamp in the neck with powdercoating....its just too thick. But???
I also am going to see if my powdercoater can use a slightly less than gloss black so it looks more original. He uses a very accurate sheen on my Corvette frames to match original paint there, so I bet he can. I know I could just spray it myself, but I really love the durabilty of powdercoating. And he sandblasts the frame prior, so it really is the right way to go.
The other thing I always do, and will do, is remove all the weld splatter and sharp edges from the frame. Smoothing out the sharp edges prevents powdercoat chipping. And there is nothing attractive about weld splatter.
Its time to start working on some things. I want to powdercoat the frame, but I really would love to retain the VIN sticker on the right front downtube. I am wondering if I used a hair dryer, or possibly heat gun, if I could carefully remove the sticker so I can reinstall it. I hate to lose it, and I don't think it would survive the heat of powercoat oven if I left it on and masked it. Its also hard to not lose the clarity of the VIN stamp in the neck with powdercoating....its just too thick. But???
I also am going to see if my powdercoater can use a slightly less than gloss black so it looks more original. He uses a very accurate sheen on my Corvette frames to match original paint there, so I bet he can. I know I could just spray it myself, but I really love the durabilty of powdercoating. And he sandblasts the frame prior, so it really is the right way to go.
The other thing I always do, and will do, is remove all the weld splatter and sharp edges from the frame. Smoothing out the sharp edges prevents powdercoat chipping. And there is nothing attractive about weld splatter.
Last edited by Shovels & Vettes; Apr 21, 2025 at 04:17 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: CT/FL
...Its time to start working on some things. I want to powdercoat the frame, but I really would love to retain the VIN sticker on the right front downtube. I am wondering if I used a hair dryer, or possibly heat gun, if I could carefully remove the sticker so I can reinstall it. I hate to lose it, and I don't think it would survive the heat of powercoat oven if I left it on and masked it. Its also hard to not lose the clarity of the VIN stamp in the neck with powdercoating....its just too thick. But???....
You can ask the powder coater to mask off the VIN and then a little paint there would keep it from rusting.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
I tried removing the sticker on my 82 with a heat gun and it melted! A hair dryer would be safer. Failing that, I bought a replacement sticker from ricks decals, and typed the VIN and date of manufacture myself.
You can ask the powder coater to mask off the VIN and then a little paint there would keep it from rusting.
You can ask the powder coater to mask off the VIN and then a little paint there would keep it from rusting.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Took the transmission into work shop and cleaned it up. It looks pretty good once all the oil is removed. One of the stud holes is going to need repaired due to my stupidity.....I knocked it off the bike stand and it bent / broke the stud. Surprised it did not crack the case....but it didn't.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Just got my speedometer back from John Bordas, and it looks fantastic......just exactly what I wanted. Not over-restored, but looks much better. And I assume it will work well. Perfect. Thanks for those who recommended him.
I also got an original Harley , still in box, right side throtte grip for the internal wire throttle setup. I will be selling the S&S carb and the throttle mechanism it has with it.
I also got an original Harley , still in box, right side throtte grip for the internal wire throttle setup. I will be selling the S&S carb and the throttle mechanism it has with it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,597
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From: australia
aren't the stickers designed so they're not peeled off and reused? peeling one off then re applying it will stick out like dogs ***** IMHO and maybe attract the attention of LEOs. Maybe peeling it off, store it then keep searching for a person that will duplicate it .
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Yeah....a reasonable point. Frankly, the VIN is stamped into the fork neck and the engine....and I have the title that matches. So I am not much worried about LEO's. People are allowed to rebuild their cars and motorcycles,....and the entire issue of VIN stickers applies to people who steal motorcycles. And replacing a sticker with a reproduction seems more illegal than reinstalling the one that was originally on the bike. Whatever. Not sure what I will do.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 2,173
From: australia
why not just leave the frame with the sticker on, from the pic its not to bad........ original factory paint with the vin sticker intact, whats not to like?
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 199
Likes: 155
From: Western Pennsylvania
Yeah.....no, thats not how I rebuild a bike. Its certainly one way....but not my way.