QUESTION: Now that the bike's torn down - what color to paint ?

[ProTeal55]

My bike is torn apart to get a bunch of parts powdercoated, and now the idea has come up that maybe I should take this op to paint it. I was thinking about doing a flat color (like dark blue-garnett red-etc) but I am not sure how that kinda color would look on the bike. Def. want to keep it on the darker side. Here's how the bike looked before I tore it down:

I dig the black on black on black scheme I have going now, but I have always NOT been a fan of the factory stripe. I come from a HD/Rat Rod/Hot rod background so I am having a hard time trying to think up a paintjob that would work with a more modern scoot such as my S2R1K.

I am also torn on the fact that sometimes when a sport/modern bike has an aftermarket paintjob it makes the bike feel/look "cheap" in my opinion. Dont get me wrong, I have seen bikes with amazing paintjobs, but unless the factory badging (or something) is used it just doesnt look right (to me atleast)...

Opinions ?
Anyone want to do some Photoshop mock-up's ?

[duccarlos]

Once you go dark, you'll never go back.

[ProTeal55]

I am def. a fan of the Dark Monsters.
Just for this bike I kinda want to go with a flat color (or some sort) rather than black.

[il d00d]

How about gloss black, with a matte black stripe?  I also like the idea of a gloss/matte checkerboard detail or stripe.  Then maybe some pinstripe red for accent, or some primer gray.  I actually like the white stripe, but if I could change it, I would make it a more vintage off-white.  Are you going to put the fenders back on?

[ProTeal55]

Are you going to put the fenders back on?

The front fender is staying off the bike for the time being.
I might go with a superbike fender down the road (cant stand the stock Monster fender), but I am no sure yet..

[yotogi]

An idea that I have bounced around for another bike was a gloss with matte detailing (either stripes or some other pattern). Are you planning on keeping the frame black? That would be the direction definer for me personally...

[MotoCreations]

why paint it at all -- just go take a look at some of the unique industrial coatings out there.  If you have aviation manufacturing about yourself, go take a look at whom does their industrial coating.  If that doesn't give you a bunch of great ideas, I don't know what would.

The nice thing about the stuff for aviation is that it is just 3-25 microns thick and most are corrosion / wear resistant.  It's why I like the ceramic coating done to frames / bars / etc -- it's really thin unlike powdercoating or paint.

One cavaet though in regard to the industrial coating is the heat process required to coat the products.  Ceramic coating is 550deg for a few hours -- it makes the metal "move" depending upon internal stress, etc.  Thus a round item might come back a bit ovalized depending upon how it was formed.

Other one is coatings for the firearms / gun industry.  Some have tanks deep enough to blue or blacken an entire frame and other items as well.

I've always wanted to do a black gun finish on a metal tank (and make metal side panels / seat cowl to go with).  Then come back and ghost clear w/pearl racing stripes over the top of.

[ProTeal55]

I def. thought about doing something industrial on this bike (to keep with the theme).
I always wanted to see a monster like mine with raw (looking) alum. wheels and maybe a tank to match ?
I am going to my buddies house to do some Photochoppin tomorrow night before I go in any one direction.
The powdercoated stuff needed to be done, now the paint and wheel color/finish is up int he air..

Are you planning on keeping the frame black?

Yup..
No way I am gonna tear the bike down that far

[Alexandre]

gloss black with a 'dark' stripe

[1313]

If I were to paint my bike black it would to be to Volkswagen's Black Magic Pearl. It's black but at certain angles it has a hint of gray to it. It's doesn't appear straight black..

[TAftonomos]

Bluing would be cool, anything flat, industrial, etc..

Not sure if bluing and clearing would work....blueing needs to be oiled or it will rust, clearing it will need a clean finish.  Not sure if the cleaners needed to prep for paint would work with the bluing, but a painter would

Seems like you could just have it painted the same color as a blued finish and it might be easier.

If you can't tell, I like the bluing idea.

[Triple J]

Personally I'd probably just leave it...that's a nice looking bike.  That color scheme looks great to me...especially with all the black accents. I'd put the paint $$ into exhaust, as the open udder looks unfinished. Either a completely custom system, or a set of Boom Tubes. 

If you hate the stripe and want to get it painted though, I'd go all gloss black. No other pigments in the black...just straight black. My multi was done like this and it looks friggn' tough.  The Duc black seems to be more of a really dark gray in comparison. Maybe add a flat black stripe as well...that'd look nice and mean.

[Monstermash]

How about gloss black, with a matte black stripe?  I also like the idea of a gloss/matte checkerboard detail or stripe.

 Hmmmmm..... I think I may have seen that somewhere before. But where? 

[flanman]

Bluing would be cool, anything flat, industrial, etc..

Not sure if bluing and clearing would work....blueing needs to be oiled or it will rust, clearing it will need a clean finish.  Not sure if the cleaners needed to prep for paint would work with the bluing, but a painter would

Seems like you could just have it painted the same color as a blued finish and it might be easier.

If you can't tell, I like the bluing idea.

I think that would be sick looking.
maybe mix a bit of the bluing with this...

[KEH]

I am also torn on the fact that sometimes when a sport/modern bike has an aftermarket paintjob it makes the bike feel/look "cheap" in my opinion. Dont get me wrong, I have seen bikes with amazing paintjobs, but unless the factory badging (or something) is used it just doesnt look right (to me atleast)...

I feel the same way 100%. I always wonder whats hiding under there.