What color to paint my bike? C'mon, give opinion!

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  • Shuriken
    XS-XJ Guru
    • Jul 2002
    • 1093
    • Southwest USA

    #1

    What color to paint my bike? C'mon, give opinion!

    Hellow XSives,

    It's time I repaint the old '80g standard. It has been black, along with my former xs650. Black is great when the chrome is good, but it sure does look bad when dusty.

    My question is, what is the defacto color to paint this old girl to show her off and bring out the faded glory?

    I'm interested in hearing opinions, speculations, and experiences and then I'll try to make a decision.

    Naturally, black looks sleek and powerful, while bright colors are safer and get a lot of looks.

    I think the original maroon is extremely beautiful. I could see a glossy yellow or blue, .... or.....

    Now it's your turn. Pics of your own (or recommended) bikes are also appreciated.

    Ben
    1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
    1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
    1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
    1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
    1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

    Formerly:
    1982 XS650
    1980 XS1100g
    1979 XS1100sf
    1978 XS1100e donor
  • schpiff
    Truly XSive
    • Mar 2003
    • 175
    • south central Wis

    #2
    Do the ole gal a favor

    I vote for stock colors! You wouldnt wanna ride anything that needs makeup
    '81 sh " Maime" The Nature of The Beast

    Comment

    • sixtysix
      No XS but XSive as can be!
      • Jun 2002
      • 1958
      • Central New York State

      #3
      If I had to paint one it would be a deep yellow, or a metallic or pearl white. Those colors make a old bike like this stand out.
      Gary Granger
      Remember, we are the caretakers of mechanical art.
      2013 Suzuki DR650SE, 2009 Kawasaki Concours 1400, 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille Tuono

      Comment

      • Jeff
        XStremely XSive
        • Apr 2003
        • 263
        • Pocatello, Idaho

        #4
        Mine is going to a metallic metal flake black. The paint has enough silver flake in it to make it appear as a dark charcoal gray.
        1978 XS1100E "Flashback"

        "If at first you don't succeed.... Get a bigger hammer."

        Comment

        • Stava
          XSive
          • Jan 2003
          • 41
          • Victoria, Australia.

          #5
          Hey Ben,

          Us old aussie codgers believe that Black is Beautifull, and you can still have a lot of scope with the overall look.

          Mine is changing week by week, and eventually will be the way I want. :-)

          Stava

          Ride Safe, Ride Free.

          P.s http://members.optusnet.com.au/~stavwod
          to have a look (sorry bout the hasty web site...it too will be fixed up!)

          Comment

          • tucket
            New
            • Jun 2003
            • 4
            • Montreal

            #6
            I just repainted my XJ1100 stone blue (its actually a medium blue-grey with subtil shades of red and green in the metal flake).

            Its a car color (totyota 2002?) from Dupont and I'm very please with the overall look and the way it contrasts with the chrome and aluminium-grey engine paint job. I still have the color code if your interested. I have some picture but can't seam to figure out how to include it to the message
            Old bikes are nice : don't scrap them, restore them !

            Comment

            • Big Pat
              XSive
              • Dec 2002
              • 70
              • San Diego County

              #7
              Painting costs.

              What are the costs some of you are paying to have your bikes painted (tank and side covers)? I have a black '81 special with the blue mental flakes. The least expensive price in my area (San Diego county,CA) for a basic coat of black + clear is $200.
              Thanks for your time,
              Big Pat

              Comment

              • Pat Kelly
                XS-XJ Super Guru
                • Jul 2002
                • 3046
                • Golden Valley, AZ

                #8
                a nice shiny clear-coated camoflauge. Tan, black and olive drab in a forest pattern...but shiny, not flat.
                Pat Kelly
                <p-lkelly@sbcglobal.net>

                1978 XS1100E (The Force)
                1980 XS1100LG (The Dark Side)
                2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab long-bed (Wifes ride)
                1999 Suburban (The Ship)
                1994 Dodge Spirit (Son #1)
                1968 F100 (Valentine)

                "No one is totally useless. They can always be used as a bad example"

                Comment

                • Geezer
                  XS-XJ Guru
                  • May 2003
                  • 2985
                  • Willamina, Oregon 97229

                  #9
                  I've always thought the 79 Standards looked good in the factory red or something similar to it.

                  There are some really nice looking reds that came stock on Chryslers over the last several years. Go to an auto paint store and look through the color books. Chrysler has had some really nice colors to help sell their crappy cars. ;o)

                  It'll be a lot cheaper and easier to touch up later if you go with something that's a factory mix for a popular car.


                  Geezer
                  Hi my name is Tony and I'm a bikeoholic.

                  The old gray biker ain't what he used to be.

                  Comment

                  • Pat Kelly
                    XS-XJ Super Guru
                    • Jul 2002
                    • 3046
                    • Golden Valley, AZ

                    #10
                    I've never had a vehicle professionally repainted. The 1st quote I got for my 78E with Pacifico fairing and hard bags was $2,600.00. I was shocked untill I saw the guys work. All show quality. Much more that I was looking for. Lowest estmate I've gotten so far (Central CA) is $400.00.
                    I'm currently priming the tank and will paint with rattle cans.
                    The paint on my bike looks sick, as those at BI Deuce can attest to. The bike sat outside for over 20 years. I'll probably go with the color of my helmet, Yamaha metallic pearl blue. Or something similar. Anything will be better than how I got it.
                    Pat Kelly
                    <p-lkelly@sbcglobal.net>

                    1978 XS1100E (The Force)
                    1980 XS1100LG (The Dark Side)
                    2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab long-bed (Wifes ride)
                    1999 Suburban (The Ship)
                    1994 Dodge Spirit (Son #1)
                    1968 F100 (Valentine)

                    "No one is totally useless. They can always be used as a bad example"

                    Comment

                    • Shuriken
                      XS-XJ Guru
                      • Jul 2002
                      • 1093
                      • Southwest USA

                      #11
                      Thanks for all the replies. The wheels are spinning now. The tank is almost prepped.

                      Ben
                      1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
                      1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
                      1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
                      1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
                      1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

                      Formerly:
                      1982 XS650
                      1980 XS1100g
                      1979 XS1100sf
                      1978 XS1100e donor

                      Comment

                      • chiarew
                        New
                        • Oct 2002
                        • 8

                        #12
                        Just did mine....

                        I just repainted my '80 standard. It had been re-done once before, prior to my owning it, maroon on the side panels and the gas tank maroon but with black on the front sides of the tank. I have a pic of the two-tone tank if anyone is interested and wants to see it, its pretty cool. Just let me know.

                        That being said, I chose to repaint mine black. I did it myself, including the body work. Don't kid yourself, the painting alone is about $100 in materials if you use cans (which I did) for primer, color and clear, plus the good quality sandpaper. The trick is taking your time, applying the right coat thickness and sanding between coats. It definately takes a while, you have to have a good space to paint in. But you can get very nice results.

                        I absolutely love the way it looks black, and although I didnt worry about using an original color, it is an added bonus.

                        Lastly, this tank was a leaker and was covered with rust on the inside. I had it redone by Moyers in Pennsylvania. They have a website. Looks like they did a great job, although I havent put fuel in yet. It cost $265, but I couldnt find a new tank anywhere, and thought this was a better option than another used tank.

                        Bill

                        Comment

                        • roddio
                          New
                          • May 2003
                          • 5
                          • San Diego, Cailfornia

                          #13
                          Paint

                          I always use flat black, and I use it on everything that's rusty. Looks good with glossy red flames with a bold matte white outline. Black krinkle coat on the motor. Hi-temp on the downtubes. Next bike's gonna be that Honda "Asphalt" color. " Just say no to chrome."

                          Comment

                          • skids
                            XS-XJ Super Guru
                            • Jul 2002
                            • 5047
                            • Florissant, CO, USA

                            #14
                            How about pepto bismal pink? Nobody would ever steal it!
                            Skids (Sid Hansen)

                            Down to one 1978 E. Stock air box with K&N filter, 81H pipes and carbs, 8500 feet elevation.

                            Comment

                            • dragxs11
                              XSive Maximus
                              • Jun 2003
                              • 519
                              • Reno, NV

                              #15
                              I used a dark metalic silver with clearcoat. I think I have a thing about silver, but you can see it at www.cruisercustomizing.com if you search for members in Reno, NV
                              1980sg-Stocker-- Sold
                              1980sg- Cruise Missile- Sold to RODS454
                              1990 ATK 604- Ditch Digger
                              2005 BMW K1200S- Killer Bee
                              2005 Suzuki GSX-R 1000- trackbike

                              Comment

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