New Bueller, first bike, first bike build thread

[rory_a]

To finish off the paint and graphics treatment, I painted the front fender and chin satin black (the middle section of the chin had already been painted satin black, but I sprayed the whole thing). The fender and chin were not installed when this set of pictures were taken. I think we'll have to wait til the weekend for final product pictures.....


Anyway, on the graphics list was a set of one-off drawn out camo in gloss black, and RenoStickerShop.com branding. I think I'll add a little something to the top of the tank, which is why I left a "V" on top of it, just not quite sure what that will be yet.

On to the overall pics:

I'm not super happy with how much more noticable the graphics are on the swingarm which is still the factory graphite, but it'll do until I need to tear into it for a tire swap or something. Other than that, the chin is back on, the front fender is back on (and graphics applied), right side scoop will be on this week (and graphics applied), and I'm going for a decent ride on Sunday if the weather holds

 

[BuddhaBuell]

nice work Rory, those rim stripes pop like mad [up]
I like'em

 

[Pockets]

How much for black rim stripes? Those would look pretty good on my red rims with a black bike. Do you have matte black vinyl?

 

[Midnight82]

How much did Reno Sticker pay you to advertise? [cool]

 

[Pockets]

I thought Rory IS Reno Sticker?

 

[rory_a]

To be entirely honest, while I did make this set of rim strips for a few reasons, I couldn't make them feasible - the strips on eBay are cheaper than my cost!

I made my own to have them a bit wider, and the same black, vinyl, brand as everything else on the bike.

But, the strips on eBay are about $20-25 a set of four, shipped. I made mine one-piece per wheel (cut once to make it around the fork/swingarm) and the standard is three or four pieces - this saves on amount of vinyl consumed, but I went with simplicity.

My COST for making this set of rim strips was over $20. Hell, I have several hundred $$$ in COST in vinyl on the bike

 

[rory_a]

From my text just before the rim strip pics

Next up was starting on the graphics..... The bike is the sticker bike - promoting my company RenoStickerShop.com, so naturally I had to go a little overboard in the graphic department All graphics are gloss black vinyl over the satin black paint and....

I AM Reno Sticker Shop, and this is the bike stickers, banners, and signs bought (well, covered the down payment at least) [cool]

 

[rory_a]

So, Pockets - I kinda avoided answering your question on cost, but I do have matte black vinyl

And I might be persueded to fix my artwork for the rim strips to make them in multiple pieces - say three pieces per side per rim - 12 pieces total. I'll have to look into that [confused]

 

[Pockets]

Rory- I'd go for a multi-piece if it's within reason. 12 pieces instead of 4 isn't really a big deal to me.

 

[rory_a]

Rory- I'd go for a multi-piece if it's within reason. 12 pieces instead of 4 isn't really a big deal to me.

One piece per side was actually a PITA. Breaking it up would probably be much easier.

Do you like that width? It's 1/2", just about perfect for the full with of that flat section of wheel between the lip and the curve from the flat inner surface.

I won't actually be able to sit down at my machine for a couple of days, but I'll let you know what we're looking at - I'll try to get it around the $25 that I've found on eBay.

 

[Pockets]

1/2" sounds good. The cheapest I've seen on eBay has been $15 with free shipping. There's a guy using reflective tape that looks pretty cool.

 

[rory_a]

1/2" sounds good. The cheapest I've seen on eBay has been $15 with free shipping. There's a guy using reflective tape that looks pretty cool.

Honestly, go with that if you want reflective - that's a hell of a price!

 

[Pauly]

How is the paint adhesion to these plastics? I am looking to do the same thing to the awful looking orange. Will it flake/chip off easily?

 

[rory_a]

How is the paint adhesion to these plastics? I am looking to do the same thing to the awful looking orange. Will it flake/chip off easily?

Not quite sure yet as it's only been done for a week, and only a couple rides. It's already scratched a bit - but I'm not worried - that's the reason I sprayed six coats of color on it - and why I used the trim paint, figured it'd be more durable than standard rattle can, but covered it with the Krylon Satin Black cause that's what the frame appears to be.

Anyway, talked to the auto paint shop I get my car paint from before I started. They recommended the adhesion promoter, and with that the paint laid down nice and flat, and smooth. Not sure if it's required, but worth it - I've had issues with spraying plastic in the past - crazy fish eyes, blotching, puddling, etc.

I sanded it first, too. And, wiped everything down with 3M Adhesive and Wax Remover (had messed up a bit of the tank with it when removing the factory decals) - the 3M softened up the plastic enough that I think that's a decent first step.

Nonetheless, I'm an amateur, and a shitty one at that. So, talk to the pros, my opinions, experience, and results are honestly not worth a damn. Applying the graphics, though, that's something I know pretty well