27 JD exhaust finish

[Steve Swan]

My research points to the exhaust pipes and muffler being Parkerized for the 27JD. Would you guys agree ? Who can Parkerize large parts such as exhaust ?

I am considering having the exhaust Jet-Hot coated black. What is your experience or your opinions with Jet-Hot coatings ? Not convinced i will go the Jet-Hot route, but i do like the idea of Jet-Hot heat dissipating quality. And, i understand the Jet-Hot finish is lasting. But, i've no personal experience with Jet-hot coatings. And, using a good quality hi-temp black exhaust paint is not out of the question either.

I'd also like to hear your thoughts about other finishes for the chassis. i know it's my bike and i can do whatever i want, but i'd like to hear your thoughts before i commit to how i finish the chassis and ancillary parts.

I'm not going to show the bike and i am restoring the bike for me and only me. That gives me some leeway on finishes, if i decide to not go the exact as possible like original route. For finish detail, i've been studying pictures of unmolested machines, researching written records on JD Yahoo Group, etc. My chassis is a mix of some original and but mostly reproduction parts. About the only chassis parts that are original is the frame, hubs, rear brake parts, tanks and tool box. So, it's not like i started with a complete original bike or fairly complete original basket case. This is why i am considering finishing the bike the way i think it would look the snazziest. i really am bringing this one back to life from the grave.

On the one hand, i'm thinking i will finish my bike as close to original as i believe original to be. On the other hand, i am considering dolling it up very tastefully, a little extra nickle on a very few select parts. Possibly painting black gloss a very few certain parts instead of Parkerizing. Since i started with hubs only and i plan to ride the bike, I'm going with the Kelsey Hayes drop center type rims instead of original style clincher type rims, so am considering a two or perhaps three tone paint scheme of the rims. Or i may just stick with a solid black rim. If i were to go with two or three tone rims, i'm thinking the rims would be Olive with striping down the middle, same as fenders or gas tank. Or maybe black with a gold or a red stripe.

I guess i'm just thinking of maybe possibly having a little bit of "fun" with the different finishes of the bike. I briefly entertained the idea of chrome plating the exhaust, but have pretty much concluded chrome exhaust would be way too far over the top for my taste. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts !

[sswaney]

I have the cermamic coating on my 29 JD muffler assembly and it has held up well(4000 miles).
I went with nickle on the header pipes. Actually I went nickle on all the hardware, brackets and mechanical actuators. I was looking for a period modified look and to me chrome on a J is like lipstick on a pig. No offense intended.

[Steve Swan]

Any chance you could send me or post a few pictures of your JD ? sandcast232@gmail.com Thanks. Agreed on the chrome. It's just too much, for me.

[sswaney]

I sent a few more to your email.

[sswaney]

[Steve Swan]

Thanks for the pictures !

[exeric]

I had a NOS VL muffler that was painted gloss black, and I had an original paint 1917 J Harley, and it's muffler was painted with a tar like material. In other words, I have no idea what finish was used, but I don't believe the mufflers were Parkerized on later JDs. I think the cut-outs, and fittings were Parkerized, but the can and end plates were probably painted. In looking at advertising material of the time, the mufflers look like flat black, but I don't know if H-D used flat black paint. When I say gloss black, I'm not talking about a highly reflective finish, but more of a slight sheen. Also, it wouldn't take very many heat cycles to turn gloss black to dull black.

[Steve Slocombe]

Harley announced a new gloss black paint for the muffler in 1935 and I have also seen nos mufflers in this finish. The inference is that pre-1935 mufflers were painted flat black unless part of the chrome package. Like Eric, I don't reckon the late JD mufflers were parkerized as a final finish. They might have been parkerized, not oiled, then dipped in black paint, an inexpensive finish that Harley used on various parts around this time, but this would have affected any muffler internals. From 1931 up the mufflers were bought in from Burgess, but I don't know who made them before this date.

[Steve Swan]

Thanks for the replies on the exhaust finish. Where i came up with the idea the exhaust was possibly Parkerized was from a sheet of information i found on another site. And i duly note under this page of notes says "Parekerized "or" dull black finish. I'm still miles away from applying any finishes, but when the time comes for applying finishes, i'll know what parts i am finishing with what finish.

-26 to 29 F & J model finishing 002.jpg

[Kip Kern]

PJ-1 Hi Temp Exhaust paint, low gloss black, looks great