What to do...what to do...what to do...

I have been someone who rides rain or shine and is generally not particular about my bike's appearance. I do keep it maintained but never rush to get the hose on it.

I went on a ride a few weekends ago for the Alzheimer Society and not a single person that day...not a one...asked me what I was riding, what year, etc. So while I have always said that my bike is for me, I couldn't help feel disappointed that I wasn't given the opportunity to extoll the virtues of my fine 1998. It rained the night before the ride and I commuted to work. The bike was filthy and I took it to the ride thusly.

Anyway...I have been away from the site for a while...no particular reason...life happens. This site is full of great folks with solid advice and is well worth being an Insider...I digress...donate if you haven't.

So here I am on again looking for some good advice. My wheels are dodgy, forks pitted, paint/body less than perfect. To start.

The machine has 59K kms (37K miles) and surprise...runs like a dream!

Is there an "easy" fork restore technique for this gen?

Thoughts on paint vs. powder vs polishing

So I will be painting it...not sure whether to keep it true OEM decals and Italian red OR experiment.


I will be changing my habits and religiously washing her after I spruce her up.

Any and all opinions are welcome. It's good to be back!

../Boosh

 

My fork lowers are in a bit of bad shape as the previous owner put used ones on there. To me it looks like they are powdercoated and considering they are on the leading edge of your bike, subject to rock and sand, powdercoating may be the most durable. Another option is do a search here for vapor blasting. There's is a thread from a guy that does it and it looks incredible when he's done. Put a nice strong clear over that.

I'd actually like to do that to a number of pieces on my bike; forks, frame, top triple, clip ons and then convert it to 6th gen rearsets. After that, I'd like to put on a rear section from a CBR. Probably put R1 or CBR etc forks on it. If I can find factory plastic, all the better.

Before I do all l of that, I need to think about if I'm really going to keep the bike long term, as I'd never get my money back on that.

 

I am always amazed at how many times I am asked about mine. I love to watch the reaction when I tell them its 14 years old. Most think it is only a year or two old, or new. As a matter of fact, had two people yesterday ask me about it. One guy got to telling me about how he is restoring an old Honda Sabre. Showed me pic on his phone of paint he was using on frame. We had a nice little chat. Sounds like yours might need a little cleaning, polishing and TLC for now. Maybe do a little rattle can touch-up on wheels and stuff for now until you reach a final verdict on which direction with the paint you are going?

 

Yah, when I get asked, many people are surprised that Storm is a 2002 - they think she's much newer.

Fix'er up buddy. She's worth it!!!

Powdercoat is better for the frame and rims IMHO.

 

Last weekend when I stopped for lunch, I had 2 County Mounties come over and started chat about the 8th gen, both were into bikes and one had VFR previously. Two other other people also commented how good she looked. Clean her up and be proud of her.

 

So this has turned into a thread where I ask for advice on my bike to everyone telling me how much everyone else likes their bikes? A hee hee!

Sent using Tapatalk and not whilst riding!

 

I just messaged the powdercoating dude. I like the colour of the 8th Gen wheels. Anyone know what colour that might be? Code...powder supplier?

Sent using Tapatalk and not whilst riding!

 

Working on a fork fix for the mach 1 91. The lowers can be cleaned up, powdercoated or painted. Pitting of the uppers is gonna cut the seals leaking fork oil on the brake pucks ect. Talking to Jamie the resident guru on all things suspension. Talked to Nils the vapor blaster whiz. The pitted uppers, if not too bad can be fixed with a technique using silver solder.. Nils advised that the fix is pricy. Works Performance has replacement tubes that are made in Italy.

We now return to our original programming and how much we love our motorcycles ad infinitum.

 

. Sorry, I was trying to point out that our bikes do get noticed.

 

I should have been clearer. It is only the fork lower that need sprucing up. Thankfully.

Sent using Tapatalk and not whilst riding!

 

Haha....can't you se how jaded and envious I am?!??

What colour would you say your wheels are? I can't find a code anywhere have you ever tired matching it to an off the shelf colour?

Does this look close?

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/PMB-2808/ANODIZED-BRONZE-II/

thanks!

 

2014 VFR800 wheels and accents: YR-325 Pyrite Brown Metallic

 

My powder guy can't find it...do you have a manufacturer/vendor name? That said...is that colour close?

 

It is paint code, best to take PC sample and compare it to a 2014.

 

It doesn't have to be an exact match. There are no 8th gens where I live. In fact I just figured out why no one in my hillbilly town can appreciate my bike. Around here people have 3 bike vocabulary...Harley-Davidson / Ninja / CBR and it's like they don't care which model of the aforementioned they are. Maybe a sprinkling if Gixxer in there for good measure.

What I am saying is, I could actually stick some kind of CBR decal on my bike and the idiots around here would be fawning all over it. HAHAHA

Back to the thread...the wheels will be done this week or next...some kinda gold/bronze/champagne/pyrite-mica-ISH colour.

Now to decide on body colour.

 

The winner is metallic black with 2 rotations of red flake.

 

I have to remember to do the proper before and afters...mind you the "after" is all that matters!