Here's how i went about refreshing my sad looking sidecover emblems. Over many years of riding, all the gold "plating" had vanished from the lettering. Looking back through some old photos tonight and I can see where Neriel's calves would be resting against the sidecovers, and probably squeezing them when negotiating twisy bits, or after hitting a big bump etc. We did a lot of miles together over some very " not prepared to racetrack quality" roads, so I guess I've answered the question of how the plating has come off the emblems. For those that don't carry a pillion often, this shouldn't be a job you should need to do.
^ The photo that started this
^ Removed sidecovers and carefully pried off the little clips by getting my fingernails under the raised clip flanges and lifting from that point. Didn't want to risk snapping off any of the plastic mounting posts so extreme care was used here.
^ 34 years of grime hidden under the badges (yes, I gave them a good wash while they were exposed)
^ after a quick scrub, the badges were given a few coats of metallic gold paint and left to dry.
^ next up, a couple of coats of matt black then put out into the sun to make sure they dried completely
^ Then using some 600 grit paper, carefully sanded back the black to reveal the gold underneath. At this point, I could've put them straight back on the bike as they looked damned good!
^ I wanted the finish to last a while though, so I gave them a couple of coats of clear to seal the colour in.
^ at the moment, they're a bit too glossy, but I think that'll settle down in time.
^ But they look heaps better than they did yesterday!
^ I'm happy with the end result.
