New Paint job

[sermn8ter]

Just got my bike painted. If I can figure out how, and I have permission, I'll post a couple of before and after pics. I had both fenders painted. I like the look. Oh, well, couldn't figure out how to insert a pic here, so here is a link to some on the web.

http://photos.yahoo.com/sermn8ter

Look for the folder named bike pics.

When I got the bike it had a dent in the gas tank, and I wanted that fixed. I also didn't like the color that much, so I went with this color. It is thistle purple metallic. I took these pics with my phone, so they aren't that great. As soon as I can get my digital camera I'll put some better pics up. The paint looks awesome in the sun. You can see small flecks of gold in the paint. Next I want to get some 4 into 2 drag pipes, and maybe a windshield. What do you think?

[UncleSpot]

Hey (Ron) sermn8ter ,
nice lookin' paint job. You definitely need to take better pics and post them...

Hey, we never got a chance to hook up when you came out to "Can'tAffordYa" so maybe we can meet up next spring - I'm flying back to GA to look at a couple of places to relocate 'Uncle Spot' near Duluth - which is pretty close to Lawrenceville. I'll keep you posted.

XSive regards,
Ron (UncleSpot)

[sermn8ter]

Yeah, I hate I didn't get the chance to get with you guys. I will post some better pictures soon. Duluth is just around the corner, so definitely let me know when you come with way, we'll hook up some way.

[sermn8ter]

new pics

I took a few real quick this morning with my digital camera. They show the paint better. Take a look.

they are in the same place as the others. click on the link in the first post.

I noticed you said fly back, and relocate. Are you originally from this area, and are you checking into a permanent relocation?

[UncleSpot]

WOW - a LOT better. the fotos aren't "foggy". (this convinces me that cell phones are ONLY good for *extreme* emergencies - like a flat tire...)

"I noticed you said fly back, and relocate. Are you originally from this area"
I was born in Nashville, TN and the family relocated here in "Can'tAffordYa" when I was an infant to be close to my dad's family. Some of my best friends have 'relocated' to GA, NC, MD, and FLA


"and are you checking into a permanent relocation?"
YES. see you in the spring.

[sermn8ter]

Awesome

Great news. I'll have another XSive close by. Maybe I'll be done with the upgrades on mine by then and be ready for some serious riding. Keep me posted.

[chevy45412001]

nice color

that is a way cool color you chose there. Good deal.

[sermn8ter]

Thistle Purple Metallic

Thanks, I can't take all the credit. I just told the guy that was painting it for me that I wanted a dark purple, and gave him free reign to pick something. He chose this particular color. It is very cool. It has very small gold metal flake in it that really shows up when the sun hits it. You can't see it too good in the pics. At night it almost looks black. What do you think of the fenders being painted to match. I like it, but I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out. Some people like the chrome on the fenders. I am thinking about some purple ground effects to set it off. Man these things turn into big toys quick don't they?

[sermn8ter]

Metal Polishing

The new paint really makes the metal look bad too. That is one of the next things on my agenda. I have tried a few things already. Easy Off didn't do it. Mothers is great metal polish, but you really need to have some of the oxidation off before you start with that, so I don't know whats next. I don't have grinders and stuff to do serious grinding or blasting. I may wind up stripping it down over the winter and having the metal sandblasted. I read where someone stated that you had to be careful about painting the fins on the engine due to the cooling effect of them. Anybody know what effect chroming would have on them? I am sure there is a post about it already, I will do a search to see. Thanks.

[DiverRay]

Well, the fins are Aluminum, and you cannot chrome them. They can be polished, and then a coat of clear painted on looks like chrome.
There are a few links on polishing the aluminum parts, just look at the left of the page. What I did on a previous bike was strip the "clear coat", wet sand with 800 grit, then 1000 grit, and polish with SimiChrome. Mothers or any other good aluminum polish will work. And it it WORK to get it looking nice.
Ray

[sermn8ter]

Right about that

Yeah, just the little I have tried is tough to get clean. To do the fins means tearing it down and pulling the motor though.. at least to get to it like you need to. But I am going to bite the bullet and do it eventually. Having too much fun riding right now.

[DiverRay]

I know, I need to go into the transmission, but I'm riding it. Second gear will be usable once again, next spring!!
If you are going to pull the engine down, you could have the barrels anodized black, and then just polish up the ends of the fins. The black anodizing looks good, and won't trap the heat like paint.
Ray

[sermn8ter]

Might try it

I hadn't considered that, but it sounds a lot easier than trying to polish all that metal. Might look sweet with that purple paint.