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

[Shuriken]

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

[schpiff]

Do the ole gal a favor

I vote for stock colors! You wouldnt wanna ride anything that needs makeup

[sixtysix]

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.

[Jeff]

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.

[Stava]

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!)

[tucket]

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

[Big Pat]

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

[Pat Kelly]

a nice shiny clear-coated camoflauge. Tan, black and olive drab in a forest pattern...but shiny, not flat.

[Geezer]

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

[Pat Kelly]

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.

[Shuriken]

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

Ben

[chiarew]

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

[roddio]

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."

[skids]

How about pepto bismal pink? Nobody would ever steal it!

[dragxs11]

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