Powdercoated My Wheels + New Pirellis

[X-Ray]

 Yahoo!! Finally have completed a long overdue project on the FJ. Will try to condense this down to a few paragraphs   Started this a few weeks before Christmas, and things were delayed as usual at that busy time, but it all came together quite ok I think. Had to get new tyres and decided to either paint ,polish or powdercoat the wheels. After visiting a recommended custom powder coater, ( Robertos Custom Powder in Brisbane, http://www.robertoscustompowder.com.au/ who drives a fantastic DeLorean, with all the Back to The Future gear!), he showed me what he could do. He is expensive but knows exactly what to do, only works on motorcycles, cars and bicycles, no fence panels in his shop!

After looking at some complete wheels in his display we settled on a Dark Gold Metallic, and he agreed it would complement the FJs Violet paint fairly well. He does a 2 stage process, building up the base colour which fills in the rough casting on the rims, and then actually bakes on a clear powdercoat top, (clear powdercoat?  ). His masking and cleaning of the metal surfaces not to be coated was absolutely meticulous, it was stunning. Picked up the wheels 2 days before Christmas day, rushed down to the Yamaha shop to get the tyres and bearings/seals etc fitted ( Pirelli Angel GTs) with strict instructions,  NO SCRATCHES. They did a good job so I was happy.  Decided then to check the rear Suzuki caliper as the rear brakes were pretty lousy. After splitting the caliper I could see why, the brake fluid had congealed inside and things were pretty bad. Suzuki said I could get 2 new caliper seals for $30.00 or they could help me out with a full kit of seals,pistons etc for $67.00. One original piston did have some nicks so 1 x full kit please  

Also decided to check the front brakes, a few pistons were not moving and some scrubbing with a toothbrush/simple green had them moving freely again, and the front brakes actually felt noticeably better when bolted back up. Some components (rear caliper, front discs etc) were looking a bit grotty so gave them a contrasting metallic blue coat of paint. Researched the Duplicolour Metalcast paint, and gave it a go. Its a long process to do it properley, 3 coats of the silver base, 4 coats of the metallic colour, and then 3 coats of clear (optional). But I love the results, really contrasts well with the Metallic Gold and the rest of the bike. One thing I found is those filthy front rotor bolts can be cleaned/buffed to a high shine on the buffer!

So.. just spent the weekend reassembling everything, bleeding brakes, trying not to scratch paint etc. The smooth coating on the wheels should now also be a lot easier to keep clean.  Anyway, heres a few piccies, and there are a few more here http://s367.photobucket.com/user/raywise_2008/library/FJ1200%20Powdercoating%20Wheels%20and%20New%20Tyres

I'm very happy with the results  

[ken65]

Looks shit hot Ray. Cant wait to see them in the flesh.

[Country Joe]

Ray,
That is stunning!!! I never would have thought that gold wheels would look that good with that paint scheme.
Joe

[Neoday2]

That looks really good!   

Looking at your bike, what side luggage bracket do you have? I am looking for something to keep my soft luggage in the right spot.

[Derek Young]

Looks awesome Ray! I've had a couple sets of Angels now. They are great!


Derek

[Troyskie]

Niiiiiiiiiice!

[Bones]

The wheels look great Ray, but I reckon they'd look better on my bike. Swap ya.

[X-Ray]

Hahaha, good one Tony. This has taken waaayyy too long, and cost waaayyy too many dollars.    I know a good powder coater who can look after you .........    Would you believe he also does a virtual chrome finish as well in powder?, its amazing.

I realised I've only taken photos from one side, so to even things up ---







Eeeekkk, She-Wolf attacks!!


I was a bit nervous about the gold/blue/purple etc all coming together but I love it now. Went for a test ride this arvo as I had to pull both front and back wheels again today, after realizing i was a bit light with the grease on a couple of important seals.  The squeaking alerted it to me,   .  

Isaac, I have an original Givi Wingrack, bit hard to find now as the newer model I think is the Wingrack II, heres what I started with http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=12824.0

Time to get cleaned up from all this grease etc,  

[ribbert]

Nice job on the wheels Ray, the gold looks sweet and there's nothing like the handling new rubber gives you.

Not sure I like the side stand extension though, doesn't it drag on left handers?

Noel

[X-Ray]

Thanks Noel! Yeah I was a bit worried about that stand extension when I ordered it, but the seller assured me it would wear down to the correct profile eventually and would cause no further problems! 

[ribbert]

Thanks Noel! Yeah I was a bit worried about that stand extension when I ordered it, but the seller assured me it would wear down to the correct profile eventually and would cause no further problems! 

Splinters instead of sparks, that's a first.

Noel

[Arnie]

Very pretty. (the wheels and asst. other bits)

You know, now you're gonna have to keep it chean.

Arnie

[X-Ray]

Yep I know Arnie. But, frequent cleaning will stop the grime building up in the first place, so that should be a good thing. Hve been for a ride and the "non fling" chain lube that ended up on the back rim cleaned up easily with just a soft cloth, awesome! Beats using kero and whatever else I used on the plain wheel before.

[oldktmdude]

Yep I know Arnie. But, frequent cleaning will stop the grime building up in the first place, so that should be a good thing. Hve been for a ride and the "non fling" chain lube that ended up on the back rim cleaned up easily with just a soft cloth, awesome! Beats using kero and whatever else I used on the plain wheel before.

Great job on the bike Ray. Here's a tip for cleaning chain lube from rear wheels, Prep wash or Prepsol. Great stuff. Don't eave it on for too long though, it can affect paint if left on  too long. Is this the bike you're riding to the Rally? Looking forward to seeing it and you there.
   Regards, Pete.   

[X-Ray]

Thanks Pete, yep this is my main bike. The other one is still on the work table looking very sorry for itself. I was actually just reading that Mr Sheen is one of the better things for cleaning chain gloop etc from clear coated rear wheels, and brake dust etc without damaging them. Will have to give it a whirl and see how it goes.