The black wheels on my beloved '02 are battle worn. The front even has a nice pot hole ding, courtesy of our wonderful NE winters. They are currently being straightened out over at MC Wheel in NH, and I'm going to have them powder coated as well. Given this opportunity, I am considering something other than stock. My fear is tarting up my red beauty too much. Here are my thoughts. I would welcome any suggestions or experience from this august group.
1) I could play it safe and stick with gloss black.
2) I could go with the silver/grey color that's on the newer VFRs.
3) I could go retro, opting for white wheels.
4) I could pimp my ride with black wheels, with a flash of gold.
MC Wheel shot a couple of forks....the eating kind....with a 10% and a 5% mixture of gold powder. As there are all sorts of different angles presented by the forks, the degree of gold varies. I'm going to try to link the photo, although it may take me 10 or 15 tries to get it right. Please bear with me.
Another thought is to try the same technique, but with a red pigment instead of the gold. Depending upon feedback, I may ask MC Wheel to shoot another set of forks. If nothing else, at least I'll have a nice set of dinner ware.
The one on the right might look ok, but the one on the left is, IMO, "too tarty" as you put it. The red would look cool too! I think the gold would be better w/o the other colors in it, esp. the red & green.
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on Feb 17 2009, 02:21 PM, said:
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
You should paint a big "M" on the side too. All the kids will love you! Just watch out for the Hamburglar! :goofy:
I dislike the black with gold flakes.......looks like you added glitter to the wheels ;p
Love white but not crazy about it on a red bike....and wayyyyyyy too much of a pita to clean
For a red bike, I'd stick with gloss black or straight gold/bronze ala Ducati's. Personally, a dark gold with a polished lip on a red bike would be my favorite.
My favorite look has been to strip the wheels, and paint/powder the spokes black or body color match, then clear leaving the bare machined finish on the lips. Not too blingy, but better than stock or all one color.
[image: View Post]vfrrider17, on Feb 17 2009, 01:39 PM, said:
My vote is either gun metal silver (like newer 6th gens) or go for White. The only problem with white is the constant cleaning.
I like the white but a gun metal or bronze may look sweet too. This is my third white wheeled bike that I have owned over the years. Unless you ride in the rain, they are not that bad to keep clean. Keep them waxed, after a ride blow them off with compressed air and wipe them down with bug and tar remover after oiling your chain. I like a clean bike and even though my Asphalt black 919 should be easier to care for, it stays just as clean as my VFR. Good luck, JD
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Feb 17 2009, 02:51 PM, said:
[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on Feb 17 2009, 02:21 PM, said:
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
You should paint a big "M" on the side too. All the kids will love you! Just watch out for the Hamburglar! :goofy:
If you saw it you wouldn't joke. Besides my first SuperHawk, and only because it was brand new, it's the best looking bike I've ever owned.
Here is my take: White is wayyy to hard to keep clean. Black is OEM and boring. Red would be sweet but that's what I'm doing! Yellow would look like the Mcdonalds as Seb said, Gold----would look great with a stretched swingarm and a lowered busa---err VFR, Anodized gold looks good, or just plain ole silver....good luck.
How about hot pink? With a big Barbie on the side?
Also after viewing the large photo, you need a manicure.......LMAO!
Any color BUT Black!!! :dry: Worse damn color every used on a VFR wheel, every other color makes the wheel on the SSSA stand out like it should unlike what black wheels do! :cool:
I thought my red 02 looked pretty damn good with chrome wheels. :biggrin:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/baileyrock/bikes/Kevinvfr0012.jpg
Here's bass boat black centers (Honda calls it Cosmic Pearl Black) with polished rims.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/rrwacko/100_0517.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0803/rrwacko/100_0516.jpg
[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on Feb 17 2009, 12:21 PM, said:
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
[image: View Post]dutchinterceptor, on Feb 17 2009, 11:11 PM, said:
[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on Feb 17 2009, 12:21 PM, said:
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
[image: View Post]dutchinterceptor, on Feb 18 2009, 12:11 AM, said:
[image: View Post]JamieDaugherty, on Feb 17 2009, 12:21 PM, said:
Seriously, I suggest you think about yellow. I had a red/black 1998 CBR600F3 once that I put yellow wheels on and it looked sweet. I got so many comments about how nice it looked. Don't go real bright, something more like a mustard yellow tone. It's tough to imagine but I think the results would be really nice.
Yeah, that's pretty close. My wheels weren't quite as bright and had more of an orange tint, but that's the right idea. Throw in some black decals and you have it. I think it rocks.
I'm sure that's powder coated. Anodizing doesn't really hold up that well except hardcoat, which is only available in a natural brown or black dyed. The nice thing about powder coating on wheels is that it holds up really well. I painted a set once and it chipped pretty easily.
Ducatis are a beautiful no? Many are a redda too like a VFR and they look good too with same no? And they havva grey wheels too which is also a berry berry gorgeous and make good race. :)
:+1: For gold. I think that looks really nice and highlights the single sided swingarm. I think shiny gold might be a bit much. I also like the satin silver wheels on the new viffers.
I think (almost) all of these look good (personal taste...right )? but from looking at the pics it seems that the ones with the polished rims look the best !
Gold with polishing looks good on any colour bike and the black with polished looks great.
[image: View Post]CrazyInNYC, on Feb 18 2009, 02:10 PM, said:
Damn, this thread has me thinking... :idea3:
I realize price will vary, but approx what can one expect to pay for powder-coating a set of wheels?
I was recently quoted $250 for both wheels custom painted (that's right Travis...I am finally going to get the whole bike painted). ;)
Powder coating I couldn't say.
I should have known that this would bring out remarkably differing opinions. I've pondered almost everything (maybe except the Mickey D bike). I have talked myself out of the black with gold fleck. Too "Old Orchard Beach" (a local reference) according to my friends, who would have to put up with looking at it. I agree that the OEM gloss black, while matching many elements of the bike, tends to hide the SSSA in a vast confusion of shadows. I like BR's chrome, but I think I want to stick with powder coat. NE weather and my lack of time preclude the polished aluminum look.
I actually like the gun metal look of the later VFR wheels. I've been looking for a paint code for that, but so far no luck. I may opt for something in the silver / grey areana, as I think it would make the wheels pop out more without being gaudy.
Since it's winter and we all seem to be doing a bit of bench painting, the following link will take you to the supplier that MC Wheel uses. I downloaded the metalics pdf file and am thinking that I might be partial to Marine Silver One Coat (38/90010) or Anodized Silver (38/91020) on page 5.
I'm thinking of what color to do my extra set as well. I leaning towards a graphite color, like the color of the clutch cover. Check out SA1713's avatar. Maybe he can post a pic of the whole bike for a better view.
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Feb 17 2009, 08:24 PM, said:
Any color BUT Black!!! :dry: Worse damn color every used on a VFR wheel, every other color makes the wheel on the SSSA stand out like it should unlike what black wheels do! :cool:
I thought my red 02 looked pretty damn good with chrome wheels. :biggrin:
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n85/baileyrock/bikes/Kevinvfr0012.jpg
Man...I can't believe that Timmy did not eat Baileyrock's reply up. The chrome really does change the look of that red VFR.
[image: View Post]hondalover, on Feb 18 2009, 06:29 PM, said:
I'm thinking of what color to do my extra set as well. I leaning towards a graphite color, like the color of the clutch cover. Check out SA1713's avatar. Maybe he can post a pic of the whole bike for a better view.
I had really considered that dark grey but opted for a dark red instead. My coater charged me $165 to blast and coat a base color and a metallic clear for a set.
dallasb said:
Hey dutch, photo-chop one with the Buells color, I think that would be good too.
As a fellow RED RIDER. You have to go with White if you love cleaning wheels. Silver if you want a more conservative look that isn't black. I'd go with silver like the last pic. I think white looks racy.
Any color (bar perhaps black) will look bad if covered in brake dust and chain lubricant, it's not a real decisive criteria IMO! Plus, the VFR wheels are easy to clean up! What's not to like about some intimate time with your two-wheeled baby?!
Sailcycle, last October a bunch of us North Easterners met up in NH for an afternoon ride, I'm sure we'll do it again as soon as the weather clears up. If you'd like to see the anodized finish in person (clich�: pictures don't do it justice), you now have an extra reason to join us! This time around though, we'll avoid riding on recently flooded beat up hiking trails... :laugh:
[image: View Post]dutchinterceptor, on Feb 18 2009, 05:11 AM, said:
Not a great job but here's something to ogle.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e81/Dutch9090/Photochop/6thGenYellow.jpg
That color combo reminds me of this one:
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/photophotos/K1-%203.jpg
Not photo-chop'd.
I've always kind of thought making the 6th gen. wheels the powder silver like the frame would be neat.......
The same texture too. Then everybody thinks you're riding around on Magnesium rims!! :cool: :491: :fing02:
I stuck with red with the polished highlights because I trusted Kent's (Cruizinaz) judgement and I've never seen a better color match on R258, which has got to be one of the hardest colors to match.
[image: View Post]CrazyInNYC, on Feb 18 2009, 04:10 PM, said:
Damn, this thread has me thinking... :idea3:
I realize price will vary, but approx what can one expect to pay for powder-coating a set of wheels?
My local guy charges $100 to strip, powdercoat, and clearcoat a set of wheels. Tires, valvestems, and bearing removal has to be done before giving them to him.
[image: View Post]Veefer Madness, on Feb 19 2009, 06:15 AM, said:
I've always kind of thought making the 6th gen. wheels the powder silver like the frame would be neat.......
The same texture too. Then everybody thinks you're riding around on Magnesium rims!! :cool: :491: :fing02:
I stuck with red with the polished highlights because I trusted Kent's (Cruizinaz) judgement and I've never seen a better color match on R258, which has got to be one of the hardest colors to match.
[image: View Post]V4 Rosso, on Feb 19 2009, 07:53 AM, said:
[image: View Post]dutchinterceptor, on Feb 18 2009, 05:11 AM, said:
Not a great job but here's something to ogle.
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e81/Dutch9090/Photochop/6thGenYellow.jpg
That color combo reminds me of this one:
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/photophotos/K1-%203.jpg
Not photo-chop'd.
You know if you turn the lights off, pour a shot of paint thinner and put a bag over your monitor; it really doesn't look that bad! :biggrin:
After days of agonizing back and forth, I finally made an executive decision to go with a color called anodized silver. Although I do like the black wheels, they do tend to fall into the shadows of the bike. I think the silver will make them pop out more and will emphasize the SSSA. At least they'll no longer be stock, but they won't so garish as to require that I wear no gear other than a wife-beater and flip flops. I'll post pictures once they're back from the powder coater.
Here's my plan for down the road. Have you guys seen the "Hyper Silver" on 00-03' M5?
They're almost translucent from some angles. I would like to match the darker shade (these pics do no justice)
Unfortunately, my '04 needs the rear wheel recoated. Something was sprayed on the wheel surface, and it dripped down the wheel face and leeched into the finish. Unfortunately, I've found nothing to successfully clean it off. I suspect this happened at the shop when the tires were changed, but have no way of proving it.
Regardless, based on the images here, I am leaning toward keeping original color (perhaps with a polished lip), but the chrome really looks good! Questions:
- Has anyone identified the stock grey wheel color?
- Is the stock finish a power coat or paint?
- What are the disadvantages of chrome (longevity? Cost?)
- Does anyone have any suggestions of a wheel shop in the Kansas City area that does good work?
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on Feb 21 2009, 09:19 PM, said:
Don't know about chroming, but Crosslink Powder Coating does excellent work. They are the ones who did my wheels.
Thanks for the tip- I will give them a call. At this point, I'm leaning toward gun metal / silver powder coating, but I'll see what color options they have to offer.
[image: View Post]thistle3379, on Feb 28 2009, 11:57 AM, said:
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on Feb 21 2009, 09:19 PM, said:
Don't know about chroming, but Crosslink Powder Coating does excellent work. They are the ones who did my wheels.
Thanks for the tip- I will give them a call. At this point, I'm leaning toward gun metal / silver powder coating, but I'll see what color options they have to offer.
Be advised that this place: Liquid Powdercoat is the first place I took my wheels. They did a good job with the application, but the color was too orange, waaay too orange, and they were very unwilling to set things right. Plus they had the wheels for nearly two months before they got the job done, and I kept getting the run-around from them about when the wheels would be done, and why they weren't done yet. I'm very unhappy with them, and very happy with Crosslink who got my wheels stripped, and painted to my satisfaction in just a week. They get two thumbs up from me. :fing02: :fing02:
[image: View Post]wera803, on Feb 19 2009, 09:29 AM, said:
[image: View Post]CrazyInNYC, on Feb 18 2009, 04:10 PM, said:
Damn, this thread has me thinking... :idea3:
I realize price will vary, but approx what can one expect to pay for powder-coating a set of wheels?
My local guy charges $100 to strip, powdercoat, and clearcoat a set of wheels. Tires, valvestems, and bearing removal has to be done before giving them to him.
I thought he did a great job on my wheels. I sure appreciate him -- And you, and House!
Thanks for the heads up on Liquid Powdercoat. I will call Crosslink on Monday. Have you posted any pics of your finished wheels?
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on Feb 28 2009, 01:14 PM, said:
[image: View Post]thistle3379, on Feb 28 2009, 11:57 AM, said:
[image: View Post]FJ12Ryder, on Feb 21 2009, 09:19 PM, said:
Don't know about chroming, but Crosslink Powder Coating does excellent work. They are the ones who did my wheels.
Thanks for the tip- I will give them a call. At this point, I'm leaning toward gun metal / silver powder coating, but I'll see what color options they have to offer.
Be advised that this place: Liquid Powdercoat is the first place I took my wheels. They did a good job with the application, but the color was too orange, waaay too orange, and they were very unwilling to set things right. Plus they had the wheels for nearly two months before they got the job done, and I kept getting the run-around from them about when the wheels would be done, and why they weren't done yet. I'm very unhappy with them, and very happy with Crosslink who got my wheels stripped, and painted to my satisfaction in just a week. They get two thumbs up from me. :fing02: :fing02:
[image: View Post]thistle3379, on Mar 1 2009, 08:02 AM, said:
Thanks for the heads up on Liquid Powdercoat. I will call Crosslink on Monday. Have you posted any pics of your finished wheels?
Check out his thread here.