Author |
Message |
Batbeyond99
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 02:20 am: |
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anyone out there paint there bike? i am going to have some down time this next month and i am looking for any advice to painting the plastics on my 08 1125r. i have a black one but i am going for a custom color. i am looking for info on preparation and possible paints to use. i am going for a lighter color so i run less of a chance to die from cages that don't see a black bike when i ride home from work at midnight. thanks in advance |
Kevin_stevens
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 02:55 am: |
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If that's really your reason, leave the bike black and buy reflective gear. If you're set on changing the color, can't help, I have zero fashion sense. KeS |
Hdwrenchtx
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 09:48 am: |
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i just ordered some black reflective tape i was going to try on mine. http://www.streetglo.net/reflective.motorcycle.fra me.kit.html |
1_mike
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 10:00 am: |
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Bat - For what it may be worth. In my 23 years of being on a bike in daily freeway traffic, the three times I've been hit....were on either white or light grey painted sport bikes... My CR's staying black.. It makes NO difference when they DON'T look in the first place...! Mike |
Tbenson
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 10:08 am: |
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Make yourself noticeable, unless you want the custom color anyway. I also ride at night, mine is white and they still seem to not see me at times! I saw a guy wearing a nice Alpinestars Jacket that really stands out, and it really did not look bad in person. I could not find the picture of the jacket, so not much help. This was the similar style, alert orange, white and black color scheme. http://www.alpinestars.com/GPPlus_Jacket/pd/c/121/ np/121/p/310037.html |
Ravnna431
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 01:13 pm: |
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Batbeyond, check out www.motoport.com for some high quality reflective gear if you want to be seen! If this is not proper to put up this link, someone let me know and I will remove it. |
Sl33py
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 01:50 pm: |
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I upgraded to dual low beam HID's - definitely more visible to people in front of me now. I've been cut off MUCH less in traffic... 55w ballasts w/ 3k color temp bulbs. I figured the stock 35w h8's put out about 700-750 lumens each (call it 1500), vs the new HID's putting out 5000 lumens ea (10,000 LUMENS OF "SEE ME YOU CAGER FU CKS!") And while it is brighter, i haven't been flashed by oncoming, and dialed the pattern down just a bit to help as well. Not trying to be a d!ck, just want to be seen. I used to ride w/ highs on during day, now have my flash to pass when needed. HTH! rob |
Batbeyond99
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 08:00 pm: |
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thanks for the advice but this is for the custom part. i do wear reflective gear and so do my friends that i ride with. that is also to say full gear. it just seems to me when i was on my yellow F4i i did not have as many people trying to kill me. i even have a friend getting me the reflective belts the military runs with early in the mornings. i will cut them and sew them on my already reflective jacket. the advice i am looking for is how to prep the plastics for paint. the frame is staying the same. i am also looking to see if someone prefers a paint over another. i found a great "frost blue metallic" that i am really interested in. http://www.paintforcars.com/kits_starfire_frostblu emetallic.html |
1buell1125r
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 08:32 pm: |
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Not sure if it will help, but check at local part stores that mix paint or body shop if their friendly. I think you'll need certain additives in paint for letting it flex some so it won't crack. Other than that someone else will have to help. Like the color scheme sounds bad ass! |
Kidder
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 09:30 pm: |
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The important part about riding at night is having your lights on (which you will do). Black vs. white at night won't mean squat. Black reflective tape is a great idea. |
White79bu
| Posted on Monday, November 23, 2009 - 10:01 pm: |
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when I get my bike paid for and it becomes my track bike I want to paint it Flat black. I always thought the prototypes that Mcwilliams was testing looked awesome. |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 12:26 am: |
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I'm interested in plastic painting tips also, but while we're on the subject I commute on my Suzuki DR650 dual sport which is day-glo orange front fender, front side of mirrors and headlight "flyscreen", and tall florescent green fork boots. Gotta help, but still LOOK OUT!! BTW, my CR is red. |
Batbeyond99
| Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 05:40 am: |
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i think this all comes down to two things. i really wanted the white 1125r but i bought mine in May before the super sale. they had the regular sale going on so i ended up with the black 08. the second thing is, i do want mine to be different from any other on the road. i already have a large Marine sticker on the tail but i crave more. i work in the aircraft industry and i know if i can find out the proper way to prep the plastics that i can customize this bike like no other. i will be adding the reflective tape (blue) to the rims but i really want to make it mine and like no others. i also will be doing a light bulb change but that is what i will worry about while its torn down. on a personal note... this bike has been in the shop so many times i have really lost count. i have only redone the plate holder and painted the windscreen and yet the electronics have mostly been replaced. that includes the cluster. i just had the bike in this week for the weeping clutch. all i do is street and highway and the back tire is done. |
Buell_1125r
| Posted on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 09:44 am: |
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I just painted my lowers and put buell across the bottoms and the peagus on the top. I color matched the paint to match the frame but in a pearl color. |