Look What I Did To My Frame.

I've been contemplating doing this for quite some time.  To me, it seems like it should work out ok.  

Powedercoating the frame and lower controls is very time consuming and somewhat costly. So being the cheap, broke ass that I am, I have been pondering less expensive options.  

I've been doing rattle can spray paint jobs for a while and I am confident in the results and durability.  The rear wheel and lower fairing paint were rattle can jobs that came out great.  But I didn't know if it would be a good idea for the frame which goes through heat cycles and such.  And the lower controls take a lot of abuse.  

I've never heard of anyone else doing this, but I'm sure someone must've done it.  I've used Rustoleum truck bed liner.  The durability should withstand whatever I can throw at it, and since it doesn't leave a perfectly smooth and uniform finish, touch up should be easy to apply and match to the rest of the finish.  The texture of the finish is almost identical to the leather tank bra.  Looks pretty good to me; all in all I'm happy with the results.  Hopefully it will hold up and look good over time.

I also painted the front rotor carriers to match the rear wheel and repainted the midpipe with high temp paint since it was quite chipped and faded.

After a a day or so, I'll sand down some of the high spots.  

Fork lowers next???

So here it is, what do you think?

Before:
[image: Posted Image]

After:
[image: Posted Image]

That turned out really good, makes all of the engine components fade and makes the red/black contrast stand out.  Although the mid pipe seems to be stranded out in no man's land, what if it were the same bronze-ish color of the exhaust pipes and routed straight up without the bend, make it a feature instead of blending it in and hiding it.
Do you have the same plans for the cylinder head covers?
A lot of nice touches on that bike, looks good

Thanks.

I have other exhaust projects in the works, but I like your ideas.

I considered doing the heads, but I'm in no hurry to do so.  I sort of like how it stands out from behind the frame.

I've been thinkin' about something like this with my Asphalt. Is the frame painted in two types of black or is that just a difference in angle to the camera with the same paint? It looks good, if I get brave I'd probably go with a matte black on most of the components.

[image: View Post]Maddog Hoek, on Oct 8 2009, 05:24 PM, said:

I've been thinkin' about something like this with my Asphalt. Is the frame painted in two types of black or is that just a difference in angle to the camera with the same paint? It looks good, if I get brave I'd probably go with a matte black on most of the components.
It's all the same color, just a difference in angle.  The finish is on the matte side, it's not glossy.

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on Oct 8 2009, 05:23 PM, said:

Thanks.
I have other exhaust projects in the works, but I like your ideas.
I considered doing the heads, but I'm in no hurry to do so.  I sort of like how it stands out from behind the frame. I was thinking that since you did the frame and the rad, once you've done the forks, that would be the only silver... :huh:
All that, and the swingarm, the other side stuff, and you have one very stealthy split personality bike. :biggrin:    :491:
And Timmy will be your friend! :goofy:
Anyways, it's all good, Dawg! :cool:
Greg :fing02:

+1, do the fork lowers next!

It looks good.  I've thought about it, too, but to do the job right I'd have to literally diasassemble the entire motorcycle (including removing the forks and engine from the frame.)  You did do that, right?  Personally, I wouldn't do it because of all the work involved.  However, if I ever did do it, I'd just pay to have it powder coated.  I'd also opt for a black black as opposed to flat black.

Are you gonna leave the SSSA as is or paint it black, too?  I'd leave the forks as is.

Most important thing to consider when painting anything is surface preparation so that the paint will properly adhere to the surface. Did you at least sand (to provide a "keyed surface" to the paint) the frame and clean it of any dust and oils before you painted it? The anodized surfaces of the frame spars might be too smooth for a good permanent bond with the paint and factoring in the harsh conditions that it will be exposed to (light and heat) your paintjob might not last.
JMOs

Beck
95 VFR

After:

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wheels look two tone, I like it   The fairing is nice too.   The frame and pipe? you got alot of pent up energy

shes looking great! get those reflectors off the forks in the mean time. :laugh:

Didn't I just tell you to do this?   :laugh:
Looks good!  How much did you disassemble the bike to do it?

Looks great!  Esp. with your painted lower fairing.  http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

[image: View Post]CandyRedRC46, on Oct 8 2009, 08:54 PM, said:

get those reflectors off the forks. :biggrin:
:+1:

then supersport your front fender to complete the look up there.

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on Oct 8 2009, 11:57 PM, said:

[image: View Post]CandyRedRC46, on Oct 8 2009, 08:54 PM, said:

get those reflectors off the forks. :laugh:
:beer:

then supersport your front fender to complete the look up there.


It's funny you say this.  I've been looking at that fender and at the same time remembering the one on my old Ducati 900 Supersport.

Please explain and show me an example of what you mean by "supersport" if you could.

[image: Posted Image]

I've been getting pretty good at sucking up the prep work.  I used to be lazy about it and paid the price, so these days I try to do it at least 90% or so...

I removed the Lower controls, etc to coat them.  I removed the fairing to do the frame, and stopped coating midway under the fairing.  I didn't do the upper part or the triple, bars, etc.

This bike is my daily driver and I sort of regard it as a hot rod, so it's not show quality by any means, but to me it looks good.  I put a lot of year round miles and honestly don't even wash my bike that often, so it never looks 100%.  

All these little projects are so much fun though, and relatively inexpensive.  I've really been getting an idea of how pro fabricators, painters, etc really get true joy out of their work (not to mention some serious coin).  I'd love to have my way with my bike and a professional shop to wreak havoc upon...   :laugh:

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on Oct 8 2009, 09:50 PM, said:

I've been contemplating doing this for quite some time.  To me, it seems like it should work out ok.  

Powedercoating the frame and lower controls is very time consuming and somewhat costly. So being the cheap, broke ass that I am, I have been pondering less expensive options.  

I've been doing rattle can spray paint jobs for a while and I am confident in the results and durability.  The rear wheel and lower fairing paint were rattle can jobs that came out great.  But I didn't know if it would be a good idea for the frame which goes through heat cycles and such.  And the lower controls take a lot of abuse.  

I've never heard of anyone else doing this, but I'm sure someone must've done it.  I've used Rustoleum truck bed liner.  The durability should withstand whatever I can throw at it, and since it doesn't leave a perfectly smooth and uniform finish, touch up should be easy to apply and match to the rest of the finish.  The texture of the finish is almost identical to the leather tank bra.  Looks pretty good to me; all in all I'm happy with the results.  Hopefully it will hold up and look good over time.

I also painted the front rotor carriers to match the rear wheel and repainted the midpipe with high temp paint since it was quite chipped and faded.

After a a day or so, I'll sand down some of the high spots.  

Fork lowers next???

So here it is, what do you think?
Looks great! Not too sure on those fork reflectors, but the rest is a good job! What`s the exhaust you`ve got on there too!???

[image: View Post]dannyplum, on Oct 9 2009, 03:46 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on Oct 8 2009, 09:50 PM, said:

I've been contemplating doing this for quite some time.  To me, it seems like it should work out ok.  

Powedercoating the frame and lower controls is very time consuming and somewhat costly. So being the cheap, broke ass that I am, I have been pondering less expensive options.  

I've been doing rattle can spray paint jobs for a while and I am confident in the results and durability.  The rear wheel and lower fairing paint were rattle can jobs that came out great.  But I didn't know if it would be a good idea for the frame which goes through heat cycles and such.  And the lower controls take a lot of abuse.  

I've never heard of anyone else doing this, but I'm sure someone must've done it.  I've used Rustoleum truck bed liner.  The durability should withstand whatever I can throw at it, and since it doesn't leave a perfectly smooth and uniform finish, touch up should be easy to apply and match to the rest of the finish.  The texture of the finish is almost identical to the leather tank bra.  Looks pretty good to me; all in all I'm happy with the results.  Hopefully it will hold up and look good over time.

I also painted the front rotor carriers to match the rear wheel and repainted the midpipe with high temp paint since it was quite chipped and faded.

After a a day or so, I'll sand down some of the high spots.  

Fork lowers next???

So here it is, what do you think?
Looks great! Not too sure on those fork reflectors, but the rest is a good job! What`s the exhaust you`ve got on there too!???


It's just a custom made mid pipe with exhaust tips...

I did this 4 years ago to the frame and swingarm, using a primer base and Krylon Semi-Flat Black, and the paint is still holding up very nicely.

[image: Posted Image]
DSCF5131small.jpg

[image: Posted Image]
DSCF5134small.jpg


While I did disassemble the swingarm, I did not take the engine out -- I just very carefully masked everything off and it turned out great.  I did, however, have all the bodywork and airbox off the bike before masking.  I painted nearly every part on that bike, and as long as the prep is good, the results are fantastic.

I have always admired that aluminum look, but wow, I have to say, those bikes look great!!!

I also painted my frame. I do want to get it powder-coated as well. I used high temp flat black BBQ paint, as I know our frames get rather warm, and was hoping that the heat from the frame would help cure the paint, and make it more durable as well. I can tell you that I really like the idea of using truck-bed coating, as it should be more durable. I have had to touch mine up, as it wasn't really gasoline friendly. I also painted my swing-arm when I had the rear wheel off.  

[image: Posted Image]
VFRC-750 SP-1

Douglas I'm really liking the silver/black combo on your 4th Gen!!  

I remember seeing the pics of Toro's 5th gen and I really like the black frame look.  hmmm.....if I go the truckbed liner route it won't be expensive, and I'm already planning to take it apart for an F4i front end....

[image: View Post]AndyJ, on Oct 9 2009, 05:06 PM, said:

Douglas I'm really liking the silver/black combo on your 4th Gen!!  

I remember seeing the pics of Toro's 5th gen and I really like the black frame look.  hmmm.....if I go the truckbed liner route it won't be expensive, and I'm already planning to take it apart for an F4i front end....
Thanks!!! For me, that's usually how things start, I start on one project with one idea, but then it transmogrifies into several different things all going on at once. If you're gonna have your bike apart, that's a great time to paint it, as you'll have access to pretty much everything, and it'll give you the time to apply several coats, let it cure and make it really nice!!! Post up pics when it's done!!!

[image: View Post]douglasthecook, on Oct 9 2009, 10:52 AM, said:

[image: Posted Image]
VFRC-750 SP-1
Great looking bike!

[image: View Post]douglasthecook, on Oct 9 2009, 11:16 AM, said:

Thanks!!! For me, that's usually how things start, I start on one project with one idea, but then it transmogrifies into several different things all going on at once. If you're gonna have your bike apart, that's a great time to paint it, as you'll have access to pretty much everything, and it'll give you the time to apply several coats, let it cure and make it really nice!!! Post up pics when it's done!!!
Yeah I'll probably get going on all these sub projects after the snow starts flying here (which could be this weekend for all I know; we're talking Ohio so anything's possible)  Ideally I'd like to drag it down the steps into the basement for the winter so it's warmer, paint will cure rather than freeze, and the beer fridge is close at hand.  My kids (well, daughter anyway) are starting to get into helping work on things, and better environment will help keep her more involved.  I have all the stuff for de-dumbo'ing and adding Bling mirrors ready to go as well.

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on Oct 9 2009, 07:30 PM, said:

[image: View Post]douglasthecook, on Oct 9 2009, 10:52 AM, said:

[image: Posted Image]
VFRC-750 SP-1
Great looking bike!

Thanks!!!

[image: View Post]AndyJ, on Oct 9 2009, 08:11 PM, said:

[image: View Post]douglasthecook, on Oct 9 2009, 11:16 AM, said:

Thanks!!! For me, that's usually how things start, I start on one project with one idea, but then it transmogrifies into several different things all going on at once. If you're gonna have your bike apart, that's a great time to paint it, as you'll have access to pretty much everything, and it'll give you the time to apply several coats, let it cure and make it really nice!!! Post up pics when it's done!!!
Yeah I'll probably get going on all these sub projects after the snow starts flying here (which could be this weekend for all I know; we're talking Ohio so anything's possible)  Ideally I'd like to drag it down the steps into the basement for the winter so it's warmer, paint will cure rather than freeze, and the beer fridge is close at hand.  My kids (well, daughter anyway) are starting to get into helping work on things, and better environment will help keep her more involved.  I have all the stuff for de-dumbo'ing and adding Bling mirrors ready to go as well.

Being in Ohio, yeah, you'll never know what the weather will do. The basement is most definitely your best bet. This past winter here in Germany was long and cold, and I could only take no more than 60 minutes out in my garage at a time, and that's with a small heater out there. If you get it into your garage, you won't regret it, it'll give you the light, warmth, and time to do what you want and need to do, without having to work with frozen fingers, tools and brain!!!

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on Oct 9 2009, 02:18 AM, said:

[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on Oct 8 2009, 11:57 PM, said:

[image: View Post]CandyRedRC46, on Oct 8 2009, 08:54 PM, said:

get those reflectors off the forks. :biggrin:
:+1:

then supersport your front fender to complete the look up there.
It's funny you say this.  I've been looking at that fender and at the same time remembering the one on my old Ducati 900 Supersport.

Please explain and show me an example of what you mean by "supersport" if you could.
it means chopping the fender to give it a leaner look:

before:
[image: Posted Image]

after:
[image: Posted Image]