My swingarm was chromed out by the PO, some of it is flaking off and there is some rust. What can I use to clean it up and remove the rust? How can I take off the chrome thats flaking?

 

Do what I did: buy one off Ebay. Got a swingarm for $25 from there I have yet to put on.

But to answer the question. You can sand it down with some 50 grit sandpaper (highly recommend using a DA here else you'll look like Popeye when done). If you're not gonna paint it or polish it, you can clear coat it to keep rust from reforming.

 

Is it hard to put on a swingarm? If I paint it what type paint should I use, I want to paint it black? Thanks for the help kuro...

 

Well to change out the swingarm, you're gonna need some way to lift the bike by the frame / headers. Rear stand won't work since it lifts by the swingarm (which is coming off)

Although I didn't change out the swingarm, I might as well have since I changed out the rear linkage. You'll have to disengage the chain, take off the rear tire and disengage the rear shock. Getting the linkage back on and connected took a bit of fiddling. But I didn't need to dig too deeply into my vast repertoire of swear words.

 

Oh as far as paint goes, your prep is gonna matter more than the paint itself. Especially if you already have rust. Sand, sand and sand as much as possible. Get as much of the rust off as possible. Then primer with a good self etching primer. It won't reverse the rust but it will try to keep it from spreading, along with providing a good base for the paint. After that you can rattlecan, use a HVLP spray gun or take it off to get powder coated if you like.

Whatever is in your budget. Just remember the cheaper you go, the more important your prep work is. And clear it to provide some protection

 

thanks, I'm gonna add this to my project list