Author Topic: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer  (Read 2287 times)

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Offline DaytonGuy

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New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« on: June 09, 2008, 03:16:35 PM »
Hello all,

I'm Chris, new to this site and new to motorcycle mechanics in general.  I have a 76 CB550 SuperSport that's been sitting idle for several years.  I'm going to pull her out and begin tinkering.  I love this site!  A LOT of great information for someone like me who's just getting into this.  I'll definitely be a regular visitor and poster to the site.  I put up pics when I get started.

I'm trying to conceptualize what I want this thing to look like and I have a fairly good idea but I have a few questions related to paint.

1.  I want to paint the rims a redish color.  I'd like to get a candy red/burgundy effect, gloss finish.  Can I use regular auto paint or is there special paint that should be used on the rims?

2.  I think I'll do gloss black powder coated frame and forks, but want the body pieces to be a flat or satin finshed black.  I will have a stripe or two that match the rim color and wanted those to be gloss finish.  Can someone give a brief outline of how to mix the flat/satin finish with the gloss finish?   Do I prime then paint the red then clear that with a gloss clear then tape off the stripes I want before proceeding with the black?  Do I use a black primer or a flat black top coat paint?  What kind of clear do I use on the black if any?  After all of that do I peal off the tape to reveal the stripes and wet sand it all?

I've been looking around on the net for answers but haven't really found much.  I'm also trying to do this on the cheap, so fancy paints or a complicated process may kill this concept.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

Offline kghost

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2008, 07:20:40 AM »
Not really any specialty paint for chrome.

Just sand them so the paint has some BITE.

As far as the flat black goes....I would completely paint the black first...then lay out the stripes

I would recommend the same paint manufacturer for both and GOOD stripe tape. Masking tape will give poor edges on the stripes. I use the 3M pinstriping tape.

Take and post lots of picture...we like pictures. ;D
Stranger in a strange land

Offline Hush

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2008, 03:57:39 PM »
We love pictures ;D
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline greenjeans

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2008, 02:46:34 PM »
I just painted my brother-in-law's bike similar to what you're wanting.   Get a good 2-part etching primer.  Sand the wheels...take your time -  paint
doesn't like to stick to chrome without roughing it up.  You can get a basecoat / clearcoat system for the paint.  That way you can use the same clear
and primer on all your parts.  There are flattening agents that you can add to your clear that will make it flat.  Shoot the whole tank with the flatteners
mixed in and let it dry.  Days.   Tape off where you want the stripes and rough up the clear with some 600 and then shoot the clear with out the
flattener.  Do yourself a favor and stop by your local body shop supply.  Pick their brain, they can usually steer you toward cheaper paint systems that
are designed to work together.  They will also have a million different paint chips to look at for color choices.  I've heard of people buying paint over
the internet, but by the time you figure shipping etc your local body shop supply might suprise you.

Another alternative to painting the stripes would be to use a high-performance vinyl that you could get at local sign shop.  If applied well (which isn't that hard)
if really can look like paint & you can change the stripe color out every once in a while if you wanted.    I painted this bike:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=19789.105 and the stripes on it are vinyl...fools pretty much everybody that looks at it.   Make sure you get a good quality 2 mil  "cast" vinyl  and
make sure you let the paint cure thouroughly.
Yep, I'm the kid that figured out how to put things back together...eventually.

Offline DaytonGuy

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2008, 10:25:30 AM »
Thanks for the tips.  I'll definitely stop by a paint supply shop and talk with them first. 

I think this project will be fun because I have NO CLUE what I'm doing.  Gonna get a repair manual, and scour this board for tips and ideas.

In terms of manuals....is there one that is better than others?  Which is preferred by most of you out there?

Any thoughts?

Offline Tom in Newcastle......Ontario

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2008, 10:36:34 AM »
1978 cb 550k......stock,my first re-build


Loud pipes suck.......

If you buy something.........pay for it !
If you sell something .......ship it !
If you say you are going to do something......do it !
If you have a question about something......ask it !
When the seller answers ........let him know whether you still want it or not !
If you receive something .....let the seller know you got it !
If you get something and are happy/un happy with it .....let the giver/seller know !
If you have any kind of issue,shipping/receiving/quality/price/shipping charges etc !
Communicate

Offline DaytonGuy

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Re: New Here...Gonna Start a Cafe Build This Summer
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2008, 07:17:09 AM »
Thanks for that......

It the mother load of manuals!