I got a bunch of parts powder coated, some others have done, some I haven't seen yet. Here are some lessons or stuff I learned. Hope this helps future people who plan to PC 696 parts
parts I PC'd: I used a textured PC to make the parts flatter (my PC shop called it bk 59 - I don't know if that is an industry standard # or not but it matches the black plastic perfectly)
rearsets, pegs, gear/brake lever
bolt heads
handlebar, handlebar risers and top crown of fork
headlight housing
exhaust covers and hangers
I ran into one snag, after PC'ing the rear brake arm, the spring that keeps it in the "home" position was binding when I tightened it. I tried filing a few key parts to help it, but no luck. I didn't have a washer that will work, but I will pick one up today at Lowes (this is what is keeping me from riding my bike).
One of the things I found out (thanks to Mr. Please) is if you PC the rear sets, you can leave the rubber bushing for the main pivot on the rearset. It is a high temp rubber and can handle the heat. I would take out the 2 other rubber bushings for the bolts that screw into the engine (but these are easy to get out). I did knock out the rubber bushings in the top crown, I do not think these are high temp - these aren't bad to get out.
For the rear pegs, I PC'd the little spacers (that the ball bearing notches into when they are set to "up" position) and they work fine. There is still plenty of clearance and I tested them for many up/downs and pulled them apart to look, no flaking, etc. So I am confident there is no issue with painting those. I did not paint the mounting/pivot pins for the pegs though. I did the heads, but the fit is too tight and the extra thickness of the PC would have not worked.
Basically I'm excited to show how it looks, mainly because it came out better than I picturing in my head.
Photos aren't so hot, sorry 3am with a flash. That being said, I'm really impressed with how well the cockpit looks, the instrument cluster and brake levers match the handlebar/risers/top crown great even with a flash.
The bike pic, different angles with a flash gives you different reflections. Exhaust, exhaust hangers, rearsets, etc were all the same color and look identical in person - the flash makes it look iffy.
Click the images to see a full size 3000x2000 version.
