Topic: Project "Hard Luck - The Red Racer" - updated 07/30/2010 w/new project!!!

[Zaipai]

NO stripes....one color paint with clear, color sanded and buffed out.

~Joe

+1

[KB02]

Managed not to have to work today (YAY!!) so I was able to get some painting done.

Got the paint all mixed together


Got the first coat of red on all the pieces:


After a couple more coats and I was ready to see what it looked like on the bike:


My wife really got me to thinking about the multiple stripes, but after thinking about it, and seeing Eddie (I LOVED Van Halen growing up), I decided that this bike wasn't the project for it.  I decided to go the classic stripes. For those who vote no stripes, I hear what you are saying, but after looking at the bike, I really feel it needed something else.

Starting to mask it off:
Using blue painters tape to "Measure out" a 2" stripe. Outlined that with 1/4 tape and then used that same tape to "measure out" my small 1/4" stripe.


Got the lines in the right places:


Got the rest masked off getting ready to shoot the black:


At that point it was late, I was tired and really high on paint fumes. Plus I didn't feel like cleaning out my paint gun a second time today. Black can wait until tomorrow.


...


On a side note, those plastic party cup are not good for holding automotive paint after it has been mixed with reducer.

[MCRider]

I've always liked the off center straight stripes. FWIW

[Zaipai]

Yea I think its going to look fantastic!

Good choice..

.: Scott :.

[nitroeagle]

Looks good. I'm not a painter, but I've heard that regular automotive paint(in a sprayer) shouldn't be sprayed over rattle cans. Something about fish oil in the rattle can paint. Just hate to see a lot of hard work messed up. Either way, good luck and it still looks good. I do like the off center stripes.

[KB02]

Well, the only thing with a little rattle can paint on it is the front fender. Everything else was either stripped or bare to begin with. Hopefully the fender hold up. If not, I've got extra paint.

[KB02]

Painted on the black:



And pealed back the masking:


Had a little bleed though at the corner of the seat. I'm not too worried about it as the seat pad will cover it.

Should have some time to put everything back on the bike for another shot tomorrow before I go to work (after my dentist appointment ).

[Zaipai]

Painting on the black:



And pealed back the masking:


Had a little bleed though at the corner of the seat. I'm not too worried about it as the seat pad will cover it.

Should have some time to put everything back on the bike for another shot tomorrow before I go to work (after my dentist appointment ).

Very cool, love the rims and with that strip and paint it will just pop..

.: Scott :.

[HavocTurbo]

Gorgeous!!

Not bad for a home garage paint job eh?

[KB02]

I got great advise from the guy at the paint supply shop - and from reading this forum, of course.  
This is the paint gun that I am using:

Lots of prep really helps, too.

______________________


My town was one of the lucky ones in the northeast that did not get any snow accumulation. My father in law got 6" of snow at his house. A few towns away from him got 14". AND my dentist told me I needed a crown (always new I was a King). Needless to say I didn't get the painted parts on the bike for a pic yesterday.  I will try when I get home from work today. It will still be cold, but the snow is supposed to stop mid day.  

I think I need to do something on my side covers. I think there may be too much red. We'll see. The strip really helps and the seat pad helps break up the red for sure, but I might need something on the side. I see what the forum thinks. I  still need to paint on the clear.

[KB02]

Got a couple of pics of everything on the bike:






I still need to work on the dash. It sits too tall. I tried a few different methods after taking the pics. Still haven't found the right way to do it. I need to hurry. With any luck I should be able to spray on the clear coat this weekend and then the dash and electrics are basically all that are holding me back.

[Laminar]

I was unsure about the colors of the engine when you painted them, but with the bodywork, the bike looks incredible.

[KB02]

Thanks. It's not done yet, but it sure has come a long way, huh?

Then:


Now:


Hard to believe that these two are actually the same bike. I still want to re-do the seat pad and I need to figure something out for the side covers. Maybe get the SOHC4.net logo on there somehow...

[Zaipai]

Looks great, yea the side covers need some attention.. sohc4.net logo would look pretty good I think! The rims where a nice choice and so was the front fender..

.: Scott :.

[KB02]

Got three coats of clear sprayed on my stuff. Didn't quite come out the way I had hoped. Got some areas that are still fairly matte like and couple small spots of orange peal that I've got to address. Being my first attempt at painting with real equipment, though, I'm not too disappointed. And since I have three layers of clear, some wet sanding should help to smooth things right out.

Man, the clear dries fast. I put the left over clear (mixed with hardener) that was in my gun after I was finished and poured it in an old Tupperware container (About a half inch of liquid). Within about an hour, it was already dried to the point of feeling like a hard gel.

I also got the dash re-mounted. It's not quite as stable as I wanted it, but much better that the previous design for mounting (and looks better, too). Now I have to get the dash plate polished up so that I can mount everything to it and get it all wired up. Then it's onto the state inspection station. Then I'm good to go.

[KB02]

Got the dash all sorted out and wired up. Had a small problem with the Neutral and oil lights. Couldn't figure out why they would not come on. Then I read that TurboGrimace was having a similar problem and someone mentioned that LED's are directional as far as wiring goes. Made me realize that I have wired them up backwards.    I need a new light for the high beam indicator. The one I had stopped working. I think I might have broken it trying to get the lights figured out.

The gauges don't light up as much as I had hoped they would, but I can see them, and that's what's important.

[KB02]

Passed State inspection today! I am now registered, inspected, insured and on the road!!

Took a few test rides around town. I need to do some more carb tuning, plug chops, etc... BUT, It's on the road and legal.  

Hopefully this is the last time it will have to be on a trailer, but this was the trip to inspection:


It took me three years to get to this point. After a few test rides, I found a good spot to take some pics:

[Zaipai]

That is a killer ride!!! I bet its fun as hell riding her around. You did a great job!!

.: Scott :.

[KB02]

I re-did the seat. I am much happier with the new look. We'll see about comfort later, but the first seat wasn't much for comfort anyway.

Old:



New:

[traveler]

She really looks good.

How is she for power?

If you want more "pop"...take it from me, 2 teeth smaller on the front sprocket will make her REALLY come alive!

~Joe

[HedNut]

OH MAN! Looking Killer!! Awesome job dude!  I bet those three years were all worth it... that think looks SLICK~!  Not gonna lie...at first I wasn't super crazy about the red engine cases... BUT DAMN! With that paint...it's MAGNIFICENTLY TANTILIZING~!  Excellent man...Excellent!

[KB02]

Thanks, Hednut.    They're never done. But I'm psyched that I can finally ride it now.

[KB02]

After just under 200 miles of riding the front wheel bearing are completely destroyed. I'll do some work on it tonight and post pictures of what catastrophic failure of a wheel bearing looks like.

[HedNut]

OH NO!! Sorry to hear that!... as long as you're safe and mader' home...I hope all is well and you can get it going again fast!
  Were they new bearings? 

[KB02]

Yeah, all brand new bearings. Fortunately they are fairly common and the local bike shops are likely to have some. Of course, they are all closed today for Memorial Day.

I rode the bike to work this weekend (teaching Motorcycle classes) and I could tell that something was wrong. It was getting worse. At our lunch break I rode about mile to get some food, when I came back, the other coach was astonished that he could hear something wrong as I rode back in. We propped up the front end and took out the front axle and pieces of bearing litterally fell out. The weird thing was that there was NO WOBLE TO THE WHEEL AT ALL!! The front wheel was just as steady as it ever was.

The other that sucks is that I just bought a custom made Speedometer made up for the bike and shipped 3-Day shipping. It didn't even last for 30 miles. ($70+ down the drain... )