Post by 90GTVert on Apr 25, 2012 15:27:25 GMT -5
I've wanted a Leo Vince GP for quite a long time. I never hear much good about their performance, but I don't think I've seen a pipe for the minarelli that I think looks cooler. 
Here's a stock photo of a GP.
Lucky for me, a forum member had one up for sale not too long ago. With a little bit of negotiating, I got the pipe for about $100. It's meant to fit a Zuma, but included no bracket. No worries, I don't think the Zuma bracket would work anyway for my scoots. The header was a bit rusty, and the stainless was a little dull... but I thought I could work with it for around half the cost of a new one.
I started out on the buffer. The Eastwood polishing compounds I had for doing aluminum worked quite well with the stainless steel. I think you could get good results by hand, but it would take a lot of effort. Removing the discoloration around the welds took a bit of work even on the buffer.
That shiny stainless didn't look too good next to a rusty header. I masked off a bit of it and wrapped it up so I could put it in the vice and hit it with a wire wheel to knock the rust off.
Then I cleaned it up, masked off everything I didn't want to paint, and applied a few coats of Rustoleum BBQ Black. I know you've heard me mention that more than a few times if you've been around long. Easy to work with, dries really fast, and holds up well with high temps. Someone from Rustoleum owes me a case or two for the advertising I do. (Rustoleum execs, PM me for an address! ;D )
I'm very happy with how it turned out... so happy I had to share. ;D I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet. I'm wishing I had a scoot with some polished wheels to match. That would look sweet.
Here's a stock photo of a GP.Lucky for me, a forum member had one up for sale not too long ago. With a little bit of negotiating, I got the pipe for about $100. It's meant to fit a Zuma, but included no bracket. No worries, I don't think the Zuma bracket would work anyway for my scoots. The header was a bit rusty, and the stainless was a little dull... but I thought I could work with it for around half the cost of a new one.
I started out on the buffer. The Eastwood polishing compounds I had for doing aluminum worked quite well with the stainless steel. I think you could get good results by hand, but it would take a lot of effort. Removing the discoloration around the welds took a bit of work even on the buffer.
That shiny stainless didn't look too good next to a rusty header. I masked off a bit of it and wrapped it up so I could put it in the vice and hit it with a wire wheel to knock the rust off.
Then I cleaned it up, masked off everything I didn't want to paint, and applied a few coats of Rustoleum BBQ Black. I know you've heard me mention that more than a few times if you've been around long. Easy to work with, dries really fast, and holds up well with high temps. Someone from Rustoleum owes me a case or two for the advertising I do. (Rustoleum execs, PM me for an address! ;D )
I'm very happy with how it turned out... so happy I had to share. ;D I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet. I'm wishing I had a scoot with some polished wheels to match. That would look sweet.
after 