Can a Train be too black?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
For those that can't get enough black: cast aluminum doesn't have to be powdercoated for a durable finish. Cast pieces like fork legs accept coatings like appliance epoxy paint very well. A good cleaning, a little sanding and the 2 coats of epoxy paint has lasted six years on my bike.
Too bad they don't make Gun Kote in colors anymore. That stuff was great.
Too bad they don't make Gun Kote in colors anymore. That stuff was great.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 37
From: Hoboken, NJ
I think there CAN be too much black. There's a member here who seemingly powdercoated almost every part of his bike and it just, IMO, looks weird.
That being said, I am planning to paint/powdercoat my tank and fenders matte black this winter, so what the hell do I know?
That being said, I am planning to paint/powdercoat my tank and fenders matte black this winter, so what the hell do I know?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From:
I need to interrogate this member.
Sir: Where did you get that black pro-pipe or did you have it ceramic coated??
What fork is that and how does it ride? Can it be lowered any further?
The triple tree fork clamps??? What up there? Those are tricker than heck and look like a set I had on a KX450F MX bike?
Dont make me pull out the waterboarding apparatus on you
Confess!!!
Sir: Where did you get that black pro-pipe or did you have it ceramic coated??
What fork is that and how does it ride? Can it be lowered any further?
The triple tree fork clamps??? What up there? Those are tricker than heck and look like a set I had on a KX450F MX bike?
Dont make me pull out the waterboarding apparatus on you
Confess!!!The pipe came from ebay, in worn, scratched chrome. I powdercoated it (do it myself) just recently- ran around for a month or so with it scotch-brited, but the silver just didn't fit. I also PC'd my OE exhaust w/ SE II slip-ons. Regular PC works just fine on heat shields, and anywhere chrome doesn't 'blue'.
The fork is a Storz Racing cartridge unit- 55mm inverted. The trees are also, of course, Storz. They are anodized black, but after a few years have turned the typical odd purple/brown color. If/when I tear the bike down, they'll get stripped and powdercoated, too, for the 'true' black. Funny thing is, the bike is pretty much at stock height. It looks higher in person, and I have to be tearing up the canyons pretty well before it scrapes anything!
Although you didn't ask, the wheels came from Black Bike. The hubs and rims are coated, and the spokes are stainless.
I still have to swap out the front turn signals (I have black ones- just need to partially dismantle the forks), and want to black out the pushrod tubes and engine fins. Assorted hardware, etc. will likely remain chrome, or maybe get PC'd gray or something.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
Name, rank and serial number, that's all yer gettin outta me!
The pipe came from ebay, in worn, scratched chrome. I powdercoated it (do it myself) just recently- ran around for a month or so with it scotch-brited, but the silver just didn't fit. I also PC'd my OE exhaust w/ SE II slip-ons. Regular PC works just fine on heat shields, and anywhere chrome doesn't 'blue'.
The fork is a Storz Racing cartridge unit- 55mm inverted. The trees are also, of course, Storz. They are anodized black, but after a few years have turned the typical odd purple/brown color. If/when I tear the bike down, they'll get stripped and powdercoated, too, for the 'true' black. Funny thing is, the bike is pretty much at stock height. It looks higher in person, and I have to be tearing up the canyons pretty well before it scrapes anything!
Although you didn't ask, the wheels came from Black Bike. The hubs and rims are coated, and the spokes are stainless.
I still have to swap out the front turn signals (I have black ones- just need to partially dismantle the forks), and want to black out the pushrod tubes and engine fins. Assorted hardware, etc. will likely remain chrome, or maybe get PC'd gray or something.
The pipe came from ebay, in worn, scratched chrome. I powdercoated it (do it myself) just recently- ran around for a month or so with it scotch-brited, but the silver just didn't fit. I also PC'd my OE exhaust w/ SE II slip-ons. Regular PC works just fine on heat shields, and anywhere chrome doesn't 'blue'.
The fork is a Storz Racing cartridge unit- 55mm inverted. The trees are also, of course, Storz. They are anodized black, but after a few years have turned the typical odd purple/brown color. If/when I tear the bike down, they'll get stripped and powdercoated, too, for the 'true' black. Funny thing is, the bike is pretty much at stock height. It looks higher in person, and I have to be tearing up the canyons pretty well before it scrapes anything!
Although you didn't ask, the wheels came from Black Bike. The hubs and rims are coated, and the spokes are stainless.
I still have to swap out the front turn signals (I have black ones- just need to partially dismantle the forks), and want to black out the pushrod tubes and engine fins. Assorted hardware, etc. will likely remain chrome, or maybe get PC'd gray or something.
I like trick triple trees. My stockers are....Weak at best? My entire stock front end has so much flex and wallow when pressed hard that I have simply decided to install a Jockey shifter and slow down and enjoy the sights. Pushing a stock Night Train up a Colorado Mountain road can be an interesting experience if you try and push er' past that wierd built in Sloptail comfort zone.
El-Cheapo DNA springer front end is probably on the menu for next year. I figure if I'm just gonna go slow and be cool? I will go really slow and be extra bonus cool cuz' DNA springer front ends perform like....Chit!!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC
Thats what owning a Harley is all about. You create a bike thats in your vision, it doesn't matter what other people think as long as your happy with your creation. How ever you decide on customizing it skys the limit. Bottom line is you still own a Harley Davidson. Too much black or chrome doesn't matter, stick to your vision no body else will be riding your bike. RIDE SAFE.
I like contrast and believe there is a such thing as too much black but as stated before, oh f'n well.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
It's the one in the H-D catalog made by Marzocchi. I picked it up 25% off during the local dealership's open house. The only downside to it is that no one knows how to work on the damn thing. I want to drop the front end an inch, and I'm basically gonna have to take it apart with nothing more than an exploded diagram to guide me, fabricate spacers, then try to put it back together.
But other than that, it's great. It looks fantastic, and makes a real difference in the way the front end goes into a corner. It's still no Ninja, but it's a ton better than the floppy FX front end.
But other than that, it's great. It looks fantastic, and makes a real difference in the way the front end goes into a corner. It's still no Ninja, but it's a ton better than the floppy FX front end.