1973 Honda st 90 budget resto

I just picked up a 1973 in “mighty green” that’s complete, but pretty rough. Step 1 is to get it running and then I’m going to tear it down and polish / paint everything.

Has anyone found a good match to “mighty green” in prismatic powders? I may go that route.
 

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69ST

Well-Known Member
Powder coat and sheetmetal isn't a great combo. Since this is a solid color, you'd be better off painting it; the results will be better and cost less. Colorite should have "Mighty Green" in rattle cans.
 
A bunch of my buddies have powder coated their frames and the results are fantastic. The benefit is that the powder coater also does all the prep ( media blasting ) and the price is reasonable ( $300 CAD ish ). Seems like everyone is taking this route now.

Why would you suggest going the paint route? Mainly because of potential chipping? I'm not keen on the prep work and fumes.
 
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69ST

Well-Known Member
A bunch of my buddies have powder coated their frames and the results are fantastic. The benefit is that the powder coater also does all the prep ( media blasting ) and the price is reasonable ( $300 CAD ish ). Seems like everyone is taking this route now.

Why would you suggest going the paint route? Mainly because of potential chipping? I'm not keen on the prep work and fumes.

Powder is basically one-and-done. There's very little in the way of body work possible and no touch-ups...a sky-high chance of damage being immortalized. Stripping powdercoat is a brutal process and no shop is willing to freely share the details for that reason. With some parts it's no big deal, none of which are sheetmetal.

I'd use a 2-stage (basecoat/clearcoat) paint system. However, it was originally a single-stage enamel and that could be used to good effect. Non-catalyzed paint requires no more safety equipment that a twin-cartridge respirator. And one rattlecan is more paint than is needed to paint a single frame.
 

Phil Y

New Member
I just picked up a 1973 in “mighty green” that’s complete, but pretty rough. Step 1 is to get it running and then I’m going to tear it down and polish / paint everything.

Has anyone found a good match to “mighty green” in prismatic powders? I may go that route.
You can order color swatches, up to 20 and pay shipping it’s $11 or $12, overnight shipping though!
 

Phil Y

New Member
I just picked up a 1973 in “mighty green” that’s complete, but pretty rough. Step 1 is to get it running and then I’m going to tear it down and polish / paint everything.

Has anyone found a good match to “mighty green” in prismatic powders? I may go that route.

You can order Up to 20color swatches I believe shipping is $11 or 12, if you are going to try it yourself, your constraint would be oven size versus frame size, or if using a pro coater you will be fine. I have one that I powder coated (white) and it turned out nice, not as shiny as base/clear, but more on par with factory finish. Powder can be cut and buffed it’s just very hard! Also, any bodywork needs to be able to withstand 400*F which leaves you with few options for filler if you need it. Nice bike by the way!
 

Renosteve

New Member
Hey I am in the same boat as you with the same bike! 73 mighty green, but mine is a little worse for the wear. Im missing a lot of parts unfortunately. Ive never tried a quality paint finish with rattle-can paint, just underhood parts. How hard is it to get a nice finish in these bikes painting it at home?
 
Hey I am in the same boat as you with the same bike! 73 mighty green, but mine is a little worse for the wear. Im missing a lot of parts unfortunately. Ive never tried a quality paint finish with rattle-can paint, just underhood parts. How hard is it to get a nice finish in these bikes painting it at home?
 
I’m sure you could paint it at home and be happy with the outcome ( depending how fussy ) . They also make these 2K clear rattle cans that would help toughen it up and prevent gas spills from
Damaging it. Any pics of the bike?

I’m still considering powder but need a good mighty green match. Was hoping someone had some experience to share as I’m a little hesitant to go off a sample colour.
 

Renosteve

New Member
Who makes the 2k clear? Colorite? Was thinking powder too, but am worried about damage to the finish as I do plan on riding it a lot.

Heres a few photos of my bike
 

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b52bombardier1

Well-Known Member
Powder coating leaves you with needing to scrape it to find a good body electrical ground. I rattle canned my 73 in Mighty Green using some paint from Sherwin Williams Automotive paint. Paint code / recipe for them was:

You can search for it in the Sherwin Williams paint computer under:

5A-00076-208583-C (208583)
Code: G31 Mighty Green 1970-1976 Honda

It needs an etching gray primer and its about $25 a can. Or, simply carry your entire bike frame into their store and have them match you some paint under the base of the air cleaner - that paint sees no sunlight.

Rick
 
Your bike looks pretty good. I'd start by seeing if you can bring some shine back to the paint with some polish. My paint is dull and there is rust, that's why I am going to do a repaint.

The advantage to Powder coat is they do all the prep ( stripping and blasting to remove the rust ) , the finish is much harder and durable than paint, and the price is reasonable. I'm sure these bikes would have been powder coated if the process existed at the time.

Hopefully someone reading this has done one in mighty green and can tell me what prismatic colour they used!
 

Renosteve

New Member
My bike looks good in photos but the paint does have defects and rust especially around the rear fender. I have considered just fixing it up but just cant decide which route to go!

I have a great powder coater here in town that will leave any ground points bare if i point them out. And i would not mind a durable finish, i just hate the idea of not being able to touch up chips or scratches.
 
Powder coating leaves you with needing to scrape it to find a good body electrical ground. I rattle canned my 73 in Mighty Green using some paint from Sherwin Williams Automotive paint. Paint code / recipe for them was:

You can search for it in the Sherwin Williams paint computer under:

5A-00076-208583-C (208583)
Code: G31 Mighty Green 1970-1976 Honda

It needs an etching gray primer and its about $25 a can. Or, simply carry your entire bike frame into their store and have them match you some paint under the base of the air cleaner - that paint sees no sunlight.

Rick

Can you post some pics of your bike and paint job? I’d like to see how it turned out. Also, is the black on the bike ( tool box , chain guard etc. ) a gloss black?
 

b52bombardier1

Well-Known Member
It's supposedly a copy of an ST90 seat - but less than perfect fit at the back end. I got it some years ago on Ebay from a Thailand vendor. The bike now has a Honda ST90 original seat, foam and pan with a new replacement upholstery cover.

Rick
 
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