Making my 696 Dark even darker

[Spicoli]

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.

[Paegelow]

That looks awesome!  Is the 'top crown' the same thing as upper triple clamp?

[Raux]

when you are up to it, tackle that grey swingarm. and maybe go silver (match the monster logo) for the spring.
also blacken the brembo lettering on the brakes to highlight that. also, if you want to add safety get some black reflective rim tape from glsigns.com
they come in a black that reflects silver. and vinvyl wrap the forks.. murder it!

the overall look is the darkest dark i've seen. very very cool.

[Special K]

Nicely done. Really liked the "darked" out triple, bar riser, handlebar combo!

[Spicoli]

That looks awesome!  Is the 'top crown' the same thing as upper triple clamp?

yeah, sorry... crown, clamp same thing in my book.

yes I'm doing vinyl on the forks, I'm changing the "ducati" to silver and "monster" to red to match the tank protector I have.  I have red rim strips which I'm 50/50 on whether or not I'm going to do them. 

Obviously it needs a bath and better photos.... which is coming soon. 

[mrplease]

looks awsome!

glad that powdercoating on that rearset worked for ya...

[nkryptit]

Looks Wonderful!  Looking at doing the same things.  Thanks for the writeup.

[Spicoli]

Didn't need a thicker washer for the brake lever arm... some how the spring was snagging and pinching when I was tightening the bolt... I am not sure where because I was checking for it, but I did a different way with pushing on it and using the socket wrench, and for some reason that worked.   

Having issues with the gear selector arm.  Need to figure out why it is so stiff, when shifting down it does not want to return up until you engage the gears.  I also need to file a cleared spot on the handlebar... the toggle switch for the instrument cluster sticks in the down position.  I have a few ideas for each, but any suggestions are welcomed incase I'm over looking something

Bike is not clean, but here are some proper pictures, day light, no flash and not in the bright sun.  When I get the vinyl on this week and get all the little annoyances fixed I will post up pictures and do a formal write up. 

[w7ck7d]

Nice dark 696 set up..

[nfwb11]

Dig the pc'd handle bars, let's see if we can get a 2-for-1 deal on doing the forks.  Great minds...

[Spicoli]

Doing the fork legs next week.  Flat black vinyl.  The lady who used to make my vinyl for me when I was racing cars is doing it for next to nothing for me.  I just have to pay for the vinyl... she did make good money off me for years though.


I discovered something very important with painting the rear brake arm and gear selector arm.  I took out the brass bushing for PC'ing... putting this back it the position is very critical.  I went for center, but it needs to be slight more outward from center.  Both my gear selector and brake arm were stiff... not anymore. 

[nfwb11]

My reassembly was pretty easy... but that's because I left it to someone who knows what they're doing... AKA... not me    Throw some more pics up when the forks get done.

[hcomp]

Nice looking piece man! I love the bars!

[zLoki]

Dont forget the forks and exhaust...  Ceramic coating is the way to go.

[kristan696]

That's a nice looking bike!