Another VN800 bobber project

[El Skitzo]

Yeah that is looking cool. Any plans on getting some lettering done, or pin striping on your tank before you seal it over?

[Thullan]

I bought a set of die-cut pinstripe decals which I plan to apply before the clear coating. I think that would be so much easier than doing it myself or to find someone to do it for me. It will be traditional in red and white.

Skitzo, did you repainted the whole gas tank or just the visible parts? I told my guy to skip the underside and save the foam, but he did the whole tank and now the foam is nothing but crap.

[ImpactG]

Originally Posted by Thullan

I bought a set of die-cut pinstripe decals which I plan to apply before the clear coating. I think that would be so much easier than doing it myself or to find someone to do it for me. It will be traditional in red and white.

Skitzo, did you repainted the whole gas tank or just the visible parts? I told my guy to skip the underside and save the foam, but he did the whole tank and now the foam is nothing but crap.

You should think of using the decal striping as a template and hand-painting the stripes instead. I think you'll feel a lot better about it down the road than using the vinyl, expecially on an old-skool bobber. It wouldn't be difficult. Just pick up some striping enamel and a good brush. If you're going to do all this work, I'd take the extra step. Once the clear's on, you'll have to live with it.

[Thullan]

ImpactG, yes I considered going that route and I think I would have got away with it. But I run short of patience here, and the decals seem to be of a good quality. I have seen pinstripe decals from the same company on several show winning bikes and that's good enough for me. Nothing that beats real pinstripes though.

[ImpactG]

Fair enough.

I know how it can be with projects though... believe me. Sometimes you have to force yourself to take a step back when it gets frustrating (and it always does) and take a breath. I do know that some of the striping packages are real sharp and most won't know the difference. It's just those couple of guys that are going to ask you about who did the striping and the answer you'll be forced to give my not make you happy down the road. It's just worth the extra thought. If you come down to the conclusion that it's not worth the aggravation, than you have to go with your gut. Just trying to give you the opportunity to make sure of your decision.

Best of luck! The project is turning out great!

[Thullan]

I listen and I will consider it, thanks for the input. I have been following your project thread and I'm impressed that you went all the way with your paint job. Awesome and inspiring!

[ImpactG]

Last year, I had debadged the bike and started doing some mods, mostly bolt on and painted a couple of parts I wanted accented in prep for the paint job the following year. Anyway, I decided to put some vinyl on the bike just for the year. It looked nice (at least I thought it did), but wasn't recieved all that well regardless. For many, vinyl is vinyl no matter how nice it looks and it cheapens the bike, car, work in general in their eyes. It's just kinda' how it is.

There's a guy who had a lot of work done to his M109R that I know. Looks awesome but the designs on all the tins were done in vinyl. Looks great but people still turned their nose up at it to some degree.

Just hate not to have some folks give you the respect you deserve for all your hard work. Unfortunately, the attitude is just part of the whole stigma. Might be worth it to go that extra step to paint and validate your efforts.

JMHO. Love what you've done so far.

[Thullan]

I can live with that, those guys wouldn't be impressed by any 800 cc Kawasaki anyway.

[El Skitzo]

Originally Posted by Thullan

Skitzo, did you repainted the whole gas tank or just the visible parts? I told my guy to skip the underside and save the foam, but he did the whole tank and now the foam is nothing but crap.

No the underside of my tank is not painted, only down to the protruding seam as you can't see the underside of the tank from any angle.

Glad to hear that you're going with the striping it will look great for it.

[Thullan]

Finnished with the epoxi




Next up is the clear coat, but not untill the epoxi has hardened for a few days.

[El Skitzo]

Nice shine!

[Thullan]

It looks a little more brushed in real life, but I'm gonna sand it down a bit before the clear coat.

[ImpactG]

I like the way you're headed. Should make for a really unique ride!

[Thullan]

You might remember that one of the flanges inside the fender was broken of, one that holds the wire for the taillight. I fixed that by gluing a new one in place. It works pretty well as I don't know a sh:i about welding. I also made the hole for the wire a bit larger. And the old holes, the ones I filled with green Plastic Padding, well I painted them in silver to blend in with the metal look.

[CowboyBob]

Originally Posted by Thullan

You might remember that one of the flanges inside the fender was broken of, one that holds the wire for the taillight. I fixed that by gluing a new one in place. It works pretty well as I don't know a sh:i about welding. I also made the hole for the wire a bit larger. And the old holes, the ones I filled with green Plastic Padding, well I painted them in silver to blend in with the metal look.

Amazing what desire and ingenuity will do!

[Thullan]

Thanks ImpactG and Bob.
Decals applied:

[El Skitzo]

Looking good, the shape of that decal really suits the profile shape of the tank.

[CowboyBob]

Man, that looks really sweet! I love the colors and the design! Can't wait too see it done!

[ImpactG]

That looks way kewl! Very interesting and unique.

[Jase]

Hi there, any new photo's yet of the project?
I am about to start my VN800A Bobber project in a couple of weeks, I am just waiting on all the parts to arrive from all over the place, should be under way before the end of April.