re-painting my xs11...what color???

[eltoroloco]

I'm having a hard time deciding what color i want my bike. its a xs1100G 1980. I've heard some people praise stock paint colors, and some people cry for an update. The original color of my bike is macho maroon, so faded and ugly.

Some multi layer colors are looking nice, 1. gold flake below 2. translucent pigmentation above. 3. clear coat. over all it looks cool and catches the sunlight. It just may be out of place on a bike that is for the most part stock.

I have some time to think about the paint because i cant afford it for about 2 months. For now i'm sportin the radical styling of a primer grey xs11. Any suggestions, or pics of some nice paint jobs would be very helpful.

[John]

primer

There have been many a cool looking hot rod that wears the 'fuzzy' paint. In some cases it looks good. Just don't get it too wet. Primer absorbs water. I don't see any reason why custom colors won't look good, and it shouldn't cost too much to paint just the tank and two side covers. It's not like we have a bunch of platic panels to paint.

[Bikeboy]

Paint

Hi Eltoroloco, I have done a lot of research on this ,talked to alot of paint manufactures and paint stores as well as painters. The best paints for motorcycles are URETHANE ENAMELS or POLYURETHANE ENAMELS. There are alot of manufactures of this type of paint, but I like the paints made by House of Kolor. Check out their web site (www.hokpaint.com). These guys no their paint. If you need any help with any questions just call them,their tech support people are great. Just know this, good paint is not cheap. And you want to use good paint that will hold up for years to come. If your going to do the paint job yourself, and have not used Urethane's before, you should order one of their ( How to Paint Books) first. Just call them and tell them your experience if any with Urethane's and they will tell you what you need. Hope this info helps, let us know how your paint job turns out.

[Bud Manley]

I saw a really nice looking clear/green metallic Fat Boy yesterday.
Loved the color

[Shuriken]

I (amateur painter) painted my XS with HOK paint and got sweet results.

Ben

[strom]

Black.

LP

[Pat Kelly]

I'm no paint expert, rattle-caned my bike (for now).
The guy that repaired my fairing recommended using laquer on the plastic parts (fairing, sidecovers). He told me that laquer bonds to the plastic as opposed to coating it.
I think he's right because when he showed me how to 'texture' the inside of the fairing he put laquer thinner on a terrycloth towel and pressed it into the plastic for about 5 minutes. Pull the cloth off (it sticks) and it's almost a perfect match to the original 'texture'.

This is just advice from my fairing repairman/ex-painter.

[Hobbit]

paint

I spray canned mine with Duplicolor Mirage. It's not perfect but it'll do until I restore my other one.

[chevy45412001]

painting

Just remember, Most hoc paints are either candy or pearl colors.Which means you need a base color first. Then the color then the clear.which means 3 different products to buy. Plus the reducers.

[Bill__Woods]

Any color but the newer volkswagon dark green, like the passats & jetta. This is the color I painted mine, and don't want no copy-catting, lol. If you want pictures email me at bill_woods@earthlink.net
A lot of people assume it is a kawasaki, which I find amusing. I tell them the KZ1000 was last seen somewhere Behind Me.
I got my tank, side covers, and factory handlebar mount sport fairing all painted with 3 coats of clear for $140.00 parts & labor. Did I mention the painter is a friend of mine?

Good luck with your paintwork

I saw a guy on ebay that does mail order paintwork for bike, I have never done business with him and am not affiliated with him. Just passing along the information. Search for Item number: 2464992354 on ebay.

[Dennyz]

I am pretty proud of my first bike paint job. These high tech paints are a blast to work with. These picture don't even come close to how it looks for real.

This is 21 coats of Urathane Enamel (House of Color). The color is Kandy Brandy Wine.

-The flame, the front half of the tank sides, seat rails, and a small line going over the nacelle are gold flake.
-The knee wells and rest of the nacelle are silver flake.
-The top of the tank (except the flame) is a red base primer.
-6 coats of the Kandy Brandy Wine to get the desired darkness.
-I finished with 4 coats of clear(PPG).

I wet sanded with 1500 between each color coat (red) and each clear coat. 2000 grit to remove any orange peal, then buffing and glazing compound was used to polish it up.

It took about 40 hours, which included filling dents, primer, and sanding. The base red primer is an epoxy sealer(PPG). The materials cost around $500 and used less than half.

The paint job really brought the '78 XS back to life. The bike belongs to Jeff Trapp.

[ratbyk]

Vyger "F"

Dennyz, beautiful coat of paint. Shows a meteculous attention to detail. I have put it on my screen as wallpaper until a better one comes along.
Next up for Vyger "F"should be progressive rear springs and a set of braided stainless brake hoses.
This is Glenna's bike is it not? Jobs like this sure help the winter go by!
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[ratbyk]

Mistake

Sorry Denny, my mistake. After sending you the complimentary E-mail I reread your original and discovered the bike belongs to Jeff Trapp.
Still a gorgeous coat of paint.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"