When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Afternoon my good friends at HDforum. Question I have for you today is in regards to paint.
Looking at used sportsters I see 2 kinds, the ones I want and the ones currently in my price range and with some love and work can be absolutely what I want.
My goal sportster wise is either an Iron 883, a 48, maaaybe the nighster (borderline with the grey) . Both come standard with "blacked out engine" components. These sportsters range from $6500 (nighsters with 6-7k miles) to $8000 (Irons with 1.3k miles).
I have seen some nice bikes under 5k, one in particular is an 2008 883 Low with 3500 miles coming in at $4990.
Now my real questions is, whats an average cost to repaint these engine components? Same with gas tanks and fenders. Are these things that can be done by a crafty painter over the weekend (I refinish guitars for hobby) or is this typically a job left for pros?
Is the time/cost worth it or is it better to save up a bit longer and get the bike thats "closer" to the end goal?
Afternoon my good friends at HDforum. Question I have for you today is in regards to paint.
Looking at used sportsters I see 2 kinds, the ones I want and the ones currently in my price range and with some love and work can be absolutely what I want.
My goal sportster wise is either an Iron 883, a 48, maaaybe the nighster (borderline with the grey) . Both come standard with "blacked out engine" components. These sportsters range from $6500 (nighsters with 6-7k miles) to $8000 (Irons with 1.3k miles).
I have seen some nice bikes under 5k, one in particular is an 2008 883 Low with 3500 miles coming in at $4990.
Now my real questions is, whats an average cost to repaint these engine components? Same with gas tanks and fenders. Are these things that can be done by a crafty painter over the weekend (I refinish guitars for hobby) or is this typically a job left for pros?
Is the time/cost worth it or is it better to save up a bit longer and get the bike thats "closer" to the end goal?
^^^ This. I mean save up a bit longer.
But seriously who is selling Iron 883 for $8k??? In my neck of the woods you can get a nice 2011+ 1200c for this or lower price.
On paint question, I dabbled with it (painted my front fender and saddle bags) but I am not skilled enough to get that high gloss professional quality. So saving up for a professional paint job. It definitely is not a weekend job though if you are doing tank, fenders and other bits and pieces. More like a couple of weeks as paint also takes time to cure and you don't want to rush between different coats.
But seriously who is selling Iron 883 for $8k??? In my neck of the woods you can get a nice 2011+ 1200c for this or lower price.
On paint question, I dabbled with it (painted my front fender and saddle bags) but I am not skilled enough to get that high gloss professional quality. So saving up for a professional paint job. It definitely is not a weekend job though if you are doing tank, fenders and other bits and pieces. More like a couple of weeks as paint also takes time to cure and you don't want to rush between different coats.
Deff leaning towards the wait until the best suited bikes rolls across my path.
Looking around at dealers in the upstate new york area. Irons go for 7-8k. That may be part of my issue, stealer pricing! Theres a mint 1k mile 48 around here and the guys asking 7!
if you're wanting the blacked out engine, i would stay away from the nightster. search craigslist, you should find 2008+ for $5-6k. that would leave you with plenty of upgrade cash to get the basics and a simple paint job.
If you can take all the tins off yourself you will save a ton of money. then it just comes down to "you get what you pay for".
IMHO getting a decent finish when blacking out the engine would be a trial, unless you are a capable mechanic and painter. The bodywork is relatively easy to remove and you should find it reasonably easy to find a local painter, unless you want something really fancy.
Sportster engine cases are powdercoat. Black or Silver. I don't think paint would stick very long. Best bet in the long run is to buy black case bike if black is what you want. It will save you time and headache, plus it will look right. Its important that your end product looks good. You will feel better about it.
When prepared correctly the wrinkle finish can be rattle can'd. I know of a guy that did his wrinkle black 2008 Street bob gray and black to summon Pan head replica. Also wrinkle black can stripped off of bolt on parts such as Primary, clutch cover and cam cover and polished to a beautiful aluminum finish. Prep is key and time consuming as is stripping and polishing-if I knew now what I knew then-I'd of replaced my outer primary than strip and polish. Powder coat would probably be superior over rattle can. But the job I refer to above is done right.
This guy has painted his bike a couple time himself as well. It'd be a labor of love---alot of labor.
I don`t know about elsewhere or who`s doin the dealing, but I just got my brand new 2016 Iron in denim with 16 miles for 8k out the door! I honestly didn`t feel like I got the best deal I could have either. However thats just conjecture.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Paint question.
