Hey, has anyone out there ever had experience with painting your engine or primary covers? I've got an 09 street bob, the year the moco decided to do a light grey engine instead of black. (if I knew they were going back to black engines in 2010, I would have waited a year to buy it.. oh well) Well I'm kinda sick and tired of looking at the huge grey primary cover that just doesnt match the bike at all. Buying new primary covers from HD is several hundred bucks (for inner and outer). So i'm thinking just painting them would suffice. Possibly painting the crankcase and whatnot as well. (except the cylinders.. they got those right)
Any thoughts? Obviously I'd be using a high temp engine paint.

 

Powder coat would serve you better, and it'd be a time to do some fun stuff inside the engine.

 

A guy I work with hates chrome, but loves Harley's. Had everything chrome powder coated black. So far it's holding up good. Doesn't look half bad. I'd dig it if I didn't like chrome. I'm simple minded. (Ohhh something shiney)

 

Sounds like Powder coating is the way to go. Thanks guys. I was thinking of the cheap route and just painting them myself, but I think it'll be better in the long run to get them powder coated. From what I hear, it'll stand up over time better than just engine paint or whatnot. And like ya said, it might be time to make a few engine mods while it's apart!

 

You can buy HD engine paint in either rattle can or by the quart for a spray gun. Painting the engine yourself can be economical route. While powder coat may last longer, it's fairly easy to touch paint up if needed.

 

You'll have to dis-assemble the cases to have them powder them or mask off & DIY.

 

So long as you go with a proper primer, temp resistant paint and enough layers, the rest is just a matter of personal preference. I did a flat black, D.I.Y., rattle can paint job on my timing and primary covers to match my already painted cylinder blocks with good results and I haven't had any issues to date. Of course, if you're talking about a $15-20 grand + HD, not going with a pro powder coat job would probably be considered a sinister act by most people... but like it's often said here, it's your bike, man.

 

+1 on the HD factory rattle can. I've used it on chrome and aluminum. Clean the part good with degreaser self etching primer and several light coats. By the way I used the wrinkle black.