Author Topic: Painted headers/Different Mirrors (Read 6081 times)

Doch80 · « **on:** March 10, 2006, 07:10:19 PM »

Well, just wanted to share a few things that I did today. For some reason, instead of riding I decided to work on the bike... go figure.

I bought some new mirrors a few weeks ago and have been using them for awhile. First thing... they suck. Of course you get what you paid for but I liked the look of them. $15 or $20, I can't remember... but like I said, I like the look. They are flat mirrors... compared to convex... which I like a whole lot more. The mirrors are a cheap quality so I won't be that disappointed if I ding them. Vision with them is almost non-exsistent but I already knew that would be the case when I got them. I solved this by adding those little blind sight mirrors you can pick up at the auto parts store for $2. After those, they actually work pretty well. I'm going guess though in the future I'm always going to have to tighten them down. Whatever, I like the way they look.

They're not exactly perfectly aligned right now but I'll fix that later.

Next, I did the headers. I've always wanted black headers on this thing ever since they turned their gold color... I think after the first day of riding. I would prefer powder coating but a can of paint is cheaper right now. It was a little difficult to do b/c I live in an apartment so finding a good space to spray was difficult... I just used my bathroom and turned the vent on. Of course I layed down a huge tarp over everything. And yes I did use one fo those little masks... if I'm going to get high, it's not going to be off of spray paint

Things went well until I tried to mount them back up... Note to self... get help and cover up all painted surfaces prior to installing back on bike...

From a distance it looks pretty good but up close it's kind of crappy... Lets just say I had to fight to get them properly lined up. Oh well, I'll have to do it again in the future so I'll now next time. I'm not assuming the paint job is going to hold up for more then... lets say a year... so I'll have to do it again... but it looks bad a#% from a few feet away!

Anyways, just thought I'd share all that with ya'll!

Chad

SHREDDER · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2006, 08:02:58 PM »

I'm just curious was that some sort of engine paint you used on that?

Doch80 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2006, 08:08:01 PM »

Yeah it was, that high temp stuff. I remember somebody saying the 1200 degree was a little overkill on bikes so I went with the 500 degree stuff.

devildog0 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2006, 09:11:48 AM »

500 degree paint is going to be pretty cool for the top part of the headers as you move farther back from there the temps drop. I used VHT 1400 degree paint on the headers and the mid pipe was duplicolor 1200 degree. Holding up great so far and I ride everyday all weather.

zeebandit · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2006, 11:53:50 AM »

Chad: I think the black looks really good .

Doch80 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2006, 12:24:58 PM »

When I get a real job and have way to much money to spend at once I think I'm going to get them powder coated though. We'll see how this lasts.

cmduk · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2006, 09:03:41 AM »

That is one nice looking bike

Nice job

PitterB4 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2006, 09:48:35 AM »

Good job, man!

I don't think I've seen a biger B with the black pipes. Love it.

Yeah - my experience is, even using the 1500 degree stuff, they'll need to be painted every year.

Doch80 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2006, 10:32:31 AM »

deepink · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2006, 03:23:52 PM »

FYI - I just got my entire frame and swingarm powdercoated satin black in Houston fro $205. It is not as high as you think. I would think the headers would be much cheaper.

here are a few pics at the bottom of this link

http://bikepics.com/members/deepink/01gsf1200/

99er · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2006, 08:40:37 AM »

I used that 500° stuff twice. The first time it started, it smoked for about 5 minutes while the paint cured and then it was OK. LAsted for about 2K miles before it started needing touchup. High speed bugs and pebbles affect it lots.
Marc/GA

Doch80 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2006, 11:28:18 AM »

thanks for the heads-up

Bazza · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2006, 03:43:13 AM »

That bike belongs in England!

Very nice, it has hooligan written all over it!

Doch80 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2006, 02:23:03 AM »

well, I have been eating a lot of fish and chips lately...

Bandit68 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 04, 2006, 02:51:59 PM »

we are not all hooligans in England you know. Just most of us. I guess its because we dont have to worry about having bikes restricted. I still have a 32 year old kwak Z650 imported from the States and it took ages to work out what was wrong with it. Putting standard jets into the carbs sorted that out and now it flies. Not as much as the Bandit obviously cos it is old.