To paint or not to paint
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 36
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From: oklahoma
To paint or not to paint
With me being a car guy and just now getting into bikes I am wanting to paint the bike I just got. It's a 2003 Heritage softail classic 100th anniversary it the black and silver paint it has a few problems with the paint but not bad. So, should I keep it the same and fix the problems or I want to paint it red example of the red in the pic of the GMC Yukon I built I still have some paint left so I would have no cost in painting it. Will it hurt the value of the bike. Thank you guy and gals for your input
Last edited by mchj74; Oct 11, 2014 at 10:02 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I'd say yes, it would hurt the resale if that's a concern. Personally, it's just a Harley to me and you either like the paint or not, but judging from the crazy prices I see people asking for "anniversary" paint schemes (and it isn't like they're rare...) it would be best to keep it from a value standpoint. I generally wouldn't buy a re-painted bike unless I planned to paint it myself, because most owner re-paints I've seen just aren't that good, but that Yukon looks like you know what you're doing. With that kind of skill, you could probably make the existing paint scheme look new again.
If by "just now getting into bikes" you mean this is your first bike, first riding experience, you might also want to wait a while before any work on it because getting the experience occasionally is hard on the paint.
It's the little things that ding them the most, too, like not getting the kickstand/jiffy stand down right, tipping or sliding on a slick garage floor, gravel... lot of things are hard on paint when you can just step out of the way and not get hurt, don't have to have a real crash to scratch it.
If by "just now getting into bikes" you mean this is your first bike, first riding experience, you might also want to wait a while before any work on it because getting the experience occasionally is hard on the paint.
It's the little things that ding them the most, too, like not getting the kickstand/jiffy stand down right, tipping or sliding on a slick garage floor, gravel... lot of things are hard on paint when you can just step out of the way and not get hurt, don't have to have a real crash to scratch it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
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From: Tennessee
I've repainted every bike I've ever owned at some point or another....Go for it.
Anniversary bikes are a dime a dozen and the '03 paint scheme was ugly as hell anyway.
I seriously doubt if it'll hurt the value of the bike.
Anniversary bikes are a dime a dozen and the '03 paint scheme was ugly as hell anyway.
I seriously doubt if it'll hurt the value of the bike.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 36
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From: oklahoma
I have had a bike here and there but its been a very long time since I was more into trucks and road my brother's bike. I have some skill but not much, I have work in auto body about 7 years and certified. I don't work in a shop anymore but work in my own shop as a hobby.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 556
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From: wisconsin
If you were to paint it I would pull the tins sell them on eBay and buy a mismatched set off eBay, Craigslist etc. to paint. I know the gunmetal color gets a premium and guessing the black and silver would fetch the same. So it should put you money ahead.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: oklahoma
It would be a better deal to keep my tins because I know they fit, straight and no damage. With mine all I would have to do is fix some paint chips, prime and block. Then base and clear then cut and buff. That's money ahead to me I wouldn't want to take the chance of getting someone's bad parts they are trying to pawn off.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 2,500
From: Tennessee
It would be a better deal to keep my tins because I know they fit, straight and no damage. With mine all I would have to do is fix some paint chips, prime and block. Then base and clear then cut and buff. That's money ahead to me I wouldn't want to take the chance of getting someone's bad parts they are trying to pawn off.
I agree....
You have to remember, most of these guys on these forums are "dealership junkies" and don't know how to do anything themselves, other than bolting on cheesey chrome crap from the dealer.
They think that changing paint makes a bike less valuable unless it's one of those overpriced, cookie cutter custom paint jobs done by the Harley factory paint shop.
Post some pictures when it's done...I'd love to see something original.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: oklahoma
Will do Greezey I think there's a few more rides out there then I get started and post some pics. That red and some wide whites would look good. Might do a 21x3.5 fat spoke in the front. Still not sure on bags I like the Road King bags or maybe some painted bags not sure yet on that part.
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From: Omaha
I'm not a fan of the silver/black paint scheme, but like others it might depreciate the value if you painted over it. There are those out there that do desire the paint scheme.
That being said, one of the "Harley" ways is to the customization of your ride.
So my vote is to repaint it and not worry about the resale what if.
Make it your own.
That being said, one of the "Harley" ways is to the customization of your ride.
So my vote is to repaint it and not worry about the resale what if.
Make it your own.