To polish, or not to polish - that is the question

[cee-b]

In among the proper oily-bits problems I am trying to sort out, I have a slightly more 'fluffy' question.

The C15/B40 trials bike that I have just bought is mainly raw aluminium - fuel tank, oil tank, both mudguards, engine casings.

The finish at present is not so much 'brushed' as 'scratched to buggery'; it looks like paint may have been sanded off in the past.

The question is, what finish should I be trying to achieve?

I have got a polishing kit that is capable of finishing the items to a fairly good gloss shine, but is this what I should be trying to achieve on a '61 trials bike? What was the the original state of ali finish please?

[griffo]

My original 1961 C15T had a part painted tank (Blue and chrome) with chrome mudguards. After running it in I was dubious at taking in on a trial but after the first couple of tumbles in the rocks the newness soon wore off. Grand little bike though a tad on the heavy side.....    Griff

[cee-b]

Yep, from the scratches it would seem that mine started off part-painted.

I have buffed out most of the scratches and got a reasonable finish with a high shine. I'll just let it dull down naturally and I think that'll do nicely.