[Racer X]

I painted the side panels to match the bike.
I think the other colors may look better. if you like that sort of thing

 

[redrider]

not quite sure what you mean.. Did you paint the chain guard?

 

[Racer X]

I painted the plastic parts that are flat black on all the bikes.just below the tank where your knee touches. I know they will get scratched from rubbing but I am a slave to fasion.

I don't know how it would look on the other colors . I think it may be a thing you love or hate.

The chain guard is home made from a 1/8 aluminium originaly for a 1400 cc Kawasaki. I cut off the back and added a piece to the front, just to get through teck inspection. I will have a nicer one made later.

 

[redrider]

Thats pretty cool. It is any harder to "grip" the plastic when squeezing with your legs? It looks like it would be because it's smoother, but thats just a guess.

 

[Racer X]

I have not ridden it yet to be sure. I sorta grip the tank edge . but I will let you know.

 

[CSBrad]

Yea that definatly looks a lot cleaner

 

[sc00b]

yeah that looks really good
how much did that set you back $ ?
if you dont mind me asking...

 

[Racer X]

I painted it myself at work. I work in a body shop.
I have not noticed any differince in the grip of the pannels since the are shiny. I also have not scratched them because my legs touch the edge of the tank not the plastis side pannels.

 

[redrider]

That does look really good, I think the plastic by itself looks "cheap." I wonder what the colored bikes look like with color matched panels.

 

[StockWall]

As a painter, how much would it cost to repaint a bike?

 

[Racer X]

1500 to 5000 .depends on the bike. there are a lot more little parts than people realise. I work in a auto repair shop as a mechanic. The painter helps me out and lets me do stuff on the side.

 

[StockWall]

Man, I just don't know if it is worth it to repaint my bike this winter. I wanna keep everyhitng black on it that is black, but all the red make it Alpine Mountain White. Super Slick. But dropping that much on a 250 makes it a show bike rather than a cruiser.

 

[tom_di]

Dude, Darkhorse... wheres your license plate? Is it tucked up under the fender or did you take it off for the paint job?

 

[Racer X]

The plate is in a box with my turnsignals headlight and muffler can
It is set up for racing. I have to pull the stickrs and put it back together to ride it.
Untill I get a salvage title bike .

][/img]

 

[bikefriendzy]

My plastic side panels are not that smooth. Did you have to put several coats of primer to fill it in? Please tell us all the steps you had to go thru to get that look. Thanks

 

[Shnook]

Sweet job darkhorse. Like the look. great work! 8)

 

[Racer X]

I had to sand then down then put on two coats of primer. then block that . Then reprime and water sand till smooth . then paint and clear and let bake in the booth.Nothing to it if you work in a body shop.

My plastic side panels are not that smooth. Did you have to put several coats of primer to fill it in? Please tell us all the steps you had to go thru to get that look. Thanks

 

[Red Dragon]

Looks great. Are you able to give any secrets on the mods you have done for performance?

 

[SicPuP74]

Another easy was to paint the plastic sides is to buy a rattle can made specific for painting on plastic so that normal paint will adhere. Thats what im doing just havnt had time....my bike is green and i bought color rite paint. Im gonna do one side and if it does not turn out good i will just but another side.

 

[Racer X]

The rattle can will work fine . Try using clear over the color to get a good shine