Powdercoated Chassis

YamaPilot · 12-11-2007, 12:07 AM

Hey fellas,

I wanted to know what manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha use to make their chassis the matte / satin black color. Is it powdercoating or some sort of paint? I have a '07 R6 with a black chassis, but I also have a RS125 track bike that I race and wanted to do something similar with the chassis and swingarm.

Thansk for any information.

leemajaz · 12-11-2007, 12:14 AM

paint. powdercoat would drive the price of the bikes up.take to long to do,and it would add a bit more weight as well.

kevinwilly · 12-11-2007, 12:19 AM

Certain manufacturers actually do powdercoat the frames.

The Triumph 675 is all powdercoated. A step up from the japanese stuff.

Just one more nugget of useless knowledge that I gain by hanging out at triumph dealers.

If you are going to take the time to strip the frame bare to so anything, though- get it powdercoated. I was quoted about 120-150 bucks to have it done in any color a while back.

It it MUCH tougher than paint and lasts a LOT longer. I had a set of wheels done a couple years ago and they are holding up incredibly well. You won't regret it if you have it done.

YamaPilot · 12-11-2007, 12:38 AM

I'd imagine that Ducati powdercoats their frames, but figured most would be paint. What kind of paint they're using would be a really good question and how's it hold up so well? Paint doesn't seem quite as durable as powdercoating, but probably far easier to repair or cosmetically refinish if I scratched or dinged the chassis and needed a touch-up.

Also, is it a satin or matte finish? Regardless, I absolutely dig the look of a matte black chassis and swingarm.

Kevin, we're rebuilding the 125 during the off-season, so the chassis is getting stripped. What a pain that's going to be, but the end result is going to be awesome.

kevinwilly · 12-11-2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamaPilot

I'd imagine that Ducati powdercoats their frames, but figured most would be paint. What kind of paint they're using would be a really good question and how's it hold up so well? Paint doesn't seem quite as durable as powdercoating, but probably far easier to repair or cosmetically refinish if I scratched or dinged the chassis and needed a touch-up.

Also, is it a satin or matte finish? Regardless, I absolutely dig the look of a matte black chassis and swingarm.

Kevin, we're rebuilding the 125 during the off-season, so the chassis is getting stripped. What a pain that's going to be, but the end result is going to be awesome.

The thing with paint is that it's not going to last unless you get VERY high quality stuff. Especially in the matte finish.

With powder, it's easy to do the matte finish, and it's just as strong as the gloss finish. And on the odd occassion that i HAVE chipped the powder, you can touch it up with paint. You can't really tell the difference.

I would HIGHLY recommend powder if you want the highest quality job. You can paint it for cheap, but you'll get what you pay for.

I'd have to call a buddy to see what he used on his car parts. We swapped out control arms on his 1965 Galaxie, and bead blasted all the parts we took off. His friend painted it with this stuff that was SO durable, i was just amazed at how nice it turned out. I'll see if i can get the name of it. For paint, it was awesome. High gloss finish, but they may make a matte version.

YamaPilot · 12-11-2007, 01:04 AM

I'd definitely appreciate a lead on the paint your friend used. Honestly, I can go either route; powdercoat or painting. Cost definitely isn't an issue considering that I can probably have the chassis, swingarm and wheels powdercoated for about $150. As you know, black powdercoating is extremely inexpensive.

YamaPilot · 12-11-2007, 01:10 AM

By the way, someone suggested that I have the chassis hard anodized. I'd probably need to have an EMT on-hand and revive me after I got an estimate for something like that. Great for a show bike or something, but definitely not practical for a race bike.

kevinwilly · 12-11-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamaPilot

By the way, someone suggested that I have the chassis hard anodized. I'd probably need to have an EMT on-hand and revive me after I got an estimate for something like that. Great for a show bike or something, but definitely not practical for a race bike.

With something that big, VERY few places are going to have a tank big enough to do it. In fact, i don't know if i have ever heard of someone doing an entire bike frame.

Some places may be able to do it section by section, but i doubt the results will be as good.

While i have considered this as well, because it would obviously be the ABSOLUTE best.... it's just not worth it. And it'll all be fucked up the first time you wreck anyways.

cafercr35 · 12-11-2007, 07:54 AM

IMO - powdercoat is the best way to go.

My R6 and my chopper - both show bikes and both riden like their stolen.
As mentioned, if it chip you can easily use touch up paint and it looks great.
Painting has a tendency to wear down easy. Like where the cables touch the paint. After sometime you will notice the paint rubs off. Powdercoat does not do this.

I have a Pilot/Oddyssey that is riden in the dirt, stones thrown at it all the time. This is powdercoated and holds up awesome.

The powdercoat will deflect much of whats thrown at it.

YamaPilot · 12-11-2007, 02:01 PM

Ok, so am I look at a matte or satin powdercoat?

kevinwilly · 12-11-2007, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamaPilot

Ok, so am I look at a matte or satin powdercoat?

I'm sure that some places call it matte and some call it satin. Or maybe the different brands of powder are marketed that way.

They are basically the same thing.

Just go to the place and look at samples of what they have done and point to the one you want.

I personally like the candy finish powders... my wheels are SO easy to clean, you can just wipe them with a wet rag. It's glassy smooth, nothing gets trapped in it. But those are all going to be very high gloss.

mmmm...... glossy....

aaron6301 · 12-12-2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamaPilot

Hey fellas,

I wanted to know what manufacturers like Honda and Yamaha use to make their chassis the matte / satin black color. Is it powdercoating or some sort of paint? I have a '07 R6 with a black chassis, but I also have a RS125 track bike that I race and wanted to do something similar with the chassis and swingarm.

Thansk for any information.

I just researched this yesterday due to a scratched swingarm. Yamaha uses Color-Rite 5988-1 for their swingarms and chassis. You can buy direct from their website as well. Color Rite Distributing Co.

aaron6301 · 12-12-2007, 12:47 PM

Ohh, and its painted

Artistimo · 12-20-2007, 07:39 PM

Color-rite just makes paints that match OEM colors. I don't think they actually use that stuff to paint the bikes. Harley certainly doesn't, I worked with custom painting over there for some years. I'm a custom bike painter, I do sportbikes and choppers, around 4-12 bikes a month. Depending on colors, matching, etc., I go either way. Most of my chopper builders request paint because it looks better. Smoother, more vibrant. Personally, I like powder for my own frames and swingarms. I took apart my Ducati and am having the frame powdered right now along with the swingarm and some other small parts. The rest will all be painted. I work with my local powder guy to make color matches with powder and my HOK urethanes. We both share a lot of clients and it's working out well.