Rhino Liner On A Vfr?

Hey all

I'm new to the forums, having just moved back to the States after a few years in Europe, I'm finally buying a US ride. I've ridden VFRs in Switzerland and loved them both. I owned and commuted on a 97 Triumph Trophy 900 for a few years in London, rode it to the Continent on long weekends. Loved it, but it was too heavy for the City. I've also ridden Enfields in India, but those don't really count.

I have two questions for y'all.

I'm considering picking up a 99 VFR, 16k miles for about $3900. It's red with some fairing rash, and I really don't like flashy bikes. I ride to ride, not to be seen. So, the more subdued it is, the better. But I also like to have some bit of subtle bit of style or originality.

First of all, does that sound like a fair price? I don't need performance either. I just like to be on a bike, I don't race. The wife and I will undoubtedly do some medium range rides on it (New York to Boston and DC) but nothing hard core. And I may commute into the city (1hr commute) a few days a month if I can find parking in MidTown Manhattan.

So, that's what I need for a bike.

Now the kicker: I'm thinking about painting the fairings with Rhino Liner / Line-X in black. Flat Black. It should cover up the scrapes and be pretty durable. There will be a slight increase in weight (negligible) but I can't think of any other reasons why it would be a bad idea (potentially a reduction in aerodynamics)

As for the tank, I'm trying to find someone who will build a custom tank out of black diamond plate. I've read that other bikes done with Rhino can really scrape up your leathers, so diamond plate seems like it would look cool if someone can shape it well.

So, what do you think? I'm looking for someone to tell me if I'm crazy. I should have the bike next week, so next weekend I'll begin the process.

Now I need to search the forums for good material to fix cracks in the fairings first. I assume it's just epoxy.

Anyway, Thanks for your feedback and I'm very psyched to become a member here. I'll let you know what comes of it!

-muddyh2o

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a very good price on the bike.

Yep, there have been people on here who have done just that with the Rhino-liner although I'm not sure if you will pull it up with a search for it. Snoop around with the search function first, as you might find the picture I'm referring to.

Any fabricator should be able to TIG weld up the aluminum plate for you for a gas tank, but it will cost you quite alot as there are many angles (top and bottom) on a gas tank.

Repairing plastic.....there is a recent thread also on here on how to repair cracks...quite extensive in length with many pictures too. Do a search first.

Yes you are crazy.

Depending on the amount of damage, it doesn't sound like a bad price.

To repair cracks use fiberglass, or plastic welding (better) and buy body filler at an automotive paint supply store (not Bondo).

I don't think you will be able to make a tank out of diamond plate. Maybe build a partial cover out of it. May want to just paint the tank flat black if you are concerned about tearing up your leathers.

Here is my old track bike done in some rattle can bed liner.
[image: P1130025.jpg]

jeremy556, May 28 2007, 10:49 AM[image: P1130025.jpg]

Hey that bike looks familiar! I got new fairings in for it now though... planning to repair and re-rhinoline the old fairings again! As far as damage to your leathers... this cheaper rattle can stuff that jeremy put on this cbr isn't course enough to damage your leathers.

tinyminds, May 28 2007, 10:56 AMAs far as damage to your leaners... this cheaper rattle can stuff that jeremy put on this cbr isn't course enough to damage your leathers.

Yea, that rattle can stuff is weak, some of it will come off with water.

jeremy556, May 28 2007, 11:15 AM

tinyminds, May 28 2007, 10:56 AMAs far as damage to your leaners... this cheaper rattle can stuff that jeremy put on this cbr isn't course enough to damage your leathers.

Yea, that rattle can stuff is weak, some of it will come off with water.

thanks for all the info! the wife has just suggested olive drab. i'm not so sure, but i think this is in response to her discovering a photo of george clooney riding a world war ii looking harley in olive green. olive drab might be kinda cool though...

anyway, i did find this post: http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=20941

and i will hit the pvc fixer and found some great posts about how to fix fairings (as expected)

you guys are awesome. thanks.

soon i'll be asking about great hudson valley rides!

(also, i'm wondering if rhino liner is radar absorbent... that with a valentine one might make me totally stealthy!)

You may end up killing the resale value by painting it with Rhino Liner, but maybe you're planning on keeping the bike for a long, long time.

I've seen two cars "painted" with Rhino Liner. One was a Suzuki Samurai (bright green), and the other was a '70s longbed Chevy truck (black). All I could do was to stare in amazement and think to myself why anybody would ever do that.

It would definitely give your bike some originality. fing02.gif

I did this one with duplo color bed liner in a spray can. Turned out nice.

[image: 01.jpg]

Silver#788, May 28 2007, 12:49 PMI did this one with duplo color bed liner in a spray can. Turned out nice.

[image: 01.jpg]

Dag that looks really good... you know what brand you used?

The brand name is "Dupli-color" its called truck bed coating and iI had to do 4 coats.

I'm not really sure I would go with the bed liner. If you want flat black, just use flat black. It's not that much. Also the bed liner will kill just about any chance of repainting it if you don't like it or your tastes change without stripping down the whole thing if you can even get the stuff off.

As far as plastic repair most products are epoxy based. And for finishing you will want some kind of Polyester putty. 3M, evercoat ect. all work fine.

BlueFireIce, May 28 2007, 10:32 AMI'm not really sure I would go with the bed liner. If you want flat black, just use flat black. It's not that much. Also the bed liner will kill just about any chance of repainting it if you don't like it or your tastes change without stripping down the whole thing if you can even get the stuff off.

As far as plastic repair most products are epoxy based. And for finishing you will want some kind of Polyester putty. 3M, evercoat ect. all work fine.

The dupli-color sands of easy enough [I ran a section and had to repaint it after sanding it off] also it acts as a filler in cracks. i will explain if anyone needs me to. it is also 10 times stronger then flat black paint. Plus flat black paint rubs off and gets on your gear this stuff doesnt.

TYRMELTR did his GSXR track bike that way...it looked really good.

There is an older VW bug here in town that has been completely done in Line-X black (inside and out). In fact the Line-X sticker is the only color on the car.

I have had it pass in front of me at an intersection several times in the night. It is nearly invisible -- almost to the point of being dangerous. The anemic VW electrics with yellow headlights and tail lights that just barely glow only add to the danger factor.

Even in the daytime that particular car is nearly invisible. It just blends into the background.

Just to clarify, the Line-X seems worse than even a black painted car. The Line-X seems to not reflect light.

You will certainly have a low profile. Think it over long and hard.

Lee 2002, May 28 2007, 01:05 PMThere is an older VW bug here in town that has been completely done in Line-X black (inside and out). In fact the Line-X sticker is the only color on the car.

I have had it pass in front of me at an intersection several times in the night. It is nearly invisible -- almost to the point of being dangerous. The anemic VW electrics with yellow headlights and tail lights that just barely glow only add to the danger factor.

Even in the daytime that particular car is nearly invisible. It just blends into the background.

Just to clarify, the Line-X seems worse than even a black painted car. The Line-X seems to not reflect light.

You will certainly have a low profile. Think it over long and hard.

Valid point. The bike does not reflect much light. We do where icon vests though.

[image: milspecvestback.jpg] [image: milspecvest.jpg]

Silver#788, May 28 2007, 01:39 PM

BlueFireIce, May 28 2007, 10:32 AMI'm not really sure I would go with the bed liner. If you want flat black, just use flat black. It's not that much. Also the bed liner will kill just about any chance of repainting it if you don't like it or your tastes change without stripping down the whole thing if you can even get the stuff off.

As far as plastic repair most products are epoxy based. And for finishing you will want some kind of Polyester putty. 3M, evercoat ect. all work fine.

The dupli-color sands of easy enough [I ran a section and had to repaint it after sanding it off] also it acts as a filler in cracks. i will explain if anyone needs me to. it is also 10 times stronger then flat black paint. Plus flat black paint rubs off and gets on your gear this stuff doesnt.

Sorry, I should have stated that I meant the Rhino Liner. The rattle can stuff I use on my gun stocks for added grip and it can come off easy but it is also easy to shoot some more on. The flat black I am talking about is not rattle can stuff, as I would not put that on my bike. I use what is called HotRod Flatz, it has a 30-degree satin primer appearance. And it is also a urethane system (single stage). So no having to shoot base coat cleat coat. However there are flats in b/c, but the single stage has a UV inhibitor in it so there is no fading.

Get a leather tank bra which seemed to have fallen out of favor (?). Also $3900 sounds high to me for heavily damaged bodywork (cracked) but maybe not in the NYC area.

Thanks everyone for the great comments.

The bike arrives on Wednesday. I think there's just a small crack, and I'll be working to perform my first oil / coolant change on a VFR (thanks to the forums here for the details on that)

As for the Rhino, I'm pretty convinced that I'm going to paint Rhino Liner on everything but the tank. I'll probably put a leather cover on the tank for now, and I have a Bagster I'll want on there. but in the long term, i'll do the tank as well

i'm leaning toward olive drab, as I'm hoping to create a Doom / Halo sort of effect. Flat colors. No chrome (if possible). Psuedo military colors.

as for the reflectivity / black out, there are some spray on relfectants I've seen at Home Depot. anyone tried those? if they are truly invisible in daylight, I might try that. Imagine a bike which is near invisible in the daytime and completely reflective at night!

Well, it's an experiment for this year.

Rest assured, I'll let you know how it goes

Any tips for painting pipes? smile.gif

You guys are great.

-muddyh2o

FotoMoto, May 28 2007, 07:05 PMGet a leather tank bra which seemed to have fallen out of favor (?). Also $3900 sounds high to me for heavily damaged bodywork (cracked) but maybe not in the NYC area.

well, it's been a great month with the bike. the seller replaced the R/R for me after she died on my second ride at no cost. High praise for Pete at Fly Kitty Motorsports (www.flykittymotorsports.com)

I've had a bagster bag for years, but didn't have a tank cover for this bike. It arrived this morning and I'll send some pics later today.

I don't see anything on here about bagster- does anyone use them? i guess tank bras / covers do seem to have fallen out of favor.

it's a vinyl faux leather cover (in 1998 spec black for my red 99) with the VFR logo stitched into it, also in black. looks pretty good.

but now i need to get the tank painted flat black so the red doesn't show through.

Can an amateur paint a tank flat black? i'll hit the search function now...