Topic: Opinions on artwork please

[Paul Lowe]

Looking for something a bit different.

Below is a mock up of what I think I will do on side cover.

Thoughts?

[ekpent]

What will the tank look like ?

[Stev-o]

I've seen that graphic on a tank and it looked good. Little busy on a small side cover in my opinion.

[evanphi]

I've seen that graphic on a tank and it looked good. Little busy on a small side cover in my opinion.

I've seen that too. Sunburst on the top of the tank, and radiants on the side covers.

[Rookster]

Considering that is the war flag of the Japanese Imperial Army, I do not like it.  There is a different versions that moves the sunburst out of the center that does not carry the same connotations as the war flag.  To me this would be like putting the Nazi flag on a 70s BMW.  It says something, but I'm not sure it says what you intended it to say.

Scott

[754]

If you do that in the picture.....move the ball part so it is centers do around the badges.
 Or get blank covers, and mount badges lower.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

Too busy for my eyes. Almost as bad as checkers.

[Old Scrambler]

Its been done before.............It rose..........then sank

To me, it always looked like a blood splatter

[alacrity]

+1 what Rookster said above. We can love their bikes from the 60s and 70s without loving what they were up to in the 30s and 40s.

[Paul Lowe]

Thought tank like this?

It's the hardest decision about the bike so far.

I understand the connotations of the Imperial flag as in Australia we are stuck with the British flag in the corner if ours!  Don't think it's quite Nazi but I take the point.

Have decided not to go traditional as when you ride over here 9 Gold in a row is a bit boring.

Single colour also a bit too plain. Was considering black and a cream white also.

Anyone got any inspiration particularly from USA as it's unlikely we will ever park next to each other.... ;-)

[Lostboy Steve]

Looking for something a bit different.

Below is a mock up of what I think I will do on side cover.

Thoughts?

I love the "rising sun" flag. Thats going to look awesome!

[AbbyRider]

It's busy, but you could fix that by positioning of the central circular part of the graphic. I don't think the red emblem on top of the red paint stands out enough though. You could try reversing the colour scheme so that it's white in center. This would also avoid any negative connotations (although I don't think that's an issue when using the rising sun motif).
Reversing the scheme and having predominantly white on tank with red stripes would be cool.

[Muckinfuss]

It's actually the Japanese Defense Navy's current official Ensign Flag.

[Rookster]

No its not.  The current Ensign Flag moves the circular sunburst out of the center of the flag which is what I was alluding to in my original post.  The full red rising sun with the circle in the center on a white background is the Imperial Japanese Army flag.  That full flag is no longer flown.  I only know my own opinions about it and that's what I posted.

Scott

[thelowmax]

Considering that is the war flag of the Japanese Imperial Army, I do not like it.  There is a different versions that moves the sunburst out of the center that does not carry the same connotations as the war flag.  To me this would be like putting the Nazi flag on a 70s BMW.  It says something, but I'm not sure it says what you intended it to say.

Scott

I agree. What is the message? Heritage or history? I prefer the off center sun for esthetic reasons as well. Personally, I think it's a powerful image, regardless of the connotations.

[TwoTired]

I'm not sure the guys in WWII who fought against that flag will be able to spit that far to reach it.

But, if you are so rebellious to insult those in the generation that sacrificed so much for you to be able express your contempt for them, then go ahead.   I'd advise against taking it to any military reunions, though.  At least some of them are/were truckers with big rigs.

[KiefRichards]

I'm not sure the guys in WWII who fought against that flag will be able to spit that far to reach it.

But, if you are so rebellious to insult those in the generation that sacrificed so much for you to be able express your contempt for them, then go ahead.   I'd advise against taking it to any military reunions, though.  At least some of them are/were truckers with big rigs.

My thoughts exactly. 

[Paul Lowe]

Hmmm polarised views. Thanks for the feed back.

Australia fought japan as well and was bombed (a history that was hidden from me during my schooling).  Now we have a close and friendly relationship.

Red on the side cover would be brighter for that comment my photoshop skills weren't good enough..

Maybe the offset dot would work for multiple reasons as suggested.

After all "there was a house in New Orleans they call the rising sun...."

[thelowmax]

Hmmm polarised views. Thanks for the feed back.

Australia fought japan as well and was bombed (a history that was hidden from me during my schooling).  Now we have a close and friendly relationship.

Red on the side cover would be brighter for that comment my photoshop skills weren't good enough..

Maybe the offset dot would work for multiple reasons as suggested.

After all "there was a house in New Orleans they call the rising sun...."

LOL! When I was little, I thought that song was about a Japanese bordello!

[Powderman]

That design started as the Japanese naval flag and was modified and later used for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The flag of Japan has only the rising sun without the 16 rays of light coming from it. If you want it to pay homage to the make of the bike you should not have the rays involved.

[thelowmax]

That design started as the Japanese naval flag and was modified and later used for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The flag of Japan has only the rising sun without the 16 rays of light coming from it. If you want it to pay homage to the make of the bike you should not have the rays involved.

I was just in this same discussion on a guitar site. A korean friend had some strong feelings about it, and said that, while it's not like the swastika in it's singular meaning, in China, Korea, the Philipines, and other asian countries that felt the heavy hand of japanese imperialism during the war, It's more like the Confederate flag to them. Considering that the Japanese still use it today, puts it in a grey area of political correctness. On the other hand, I've seen quite a few "defender" style bikes, in homage. Luckily, it's not a decision I need to make.