Wheel tape on an FJ?

[FJTillDeath]

So I was thinking, the famous idea of sticking that ever luminous wheel tape on the rims of an FJ. Personally I dont know what to think, although it is a sort of sporty looking bike I think sticking on rim tape would ruin its image. But hey what do you guys think? some nice retro red rim tape, very shiny chrome rims or just paint the rims in a decent red or white? OR just leave it as is?

[DailyDriver]

I think the stripe looks good on some bikes. Try the tape first before you paint. You might like it and you can always remove it if you don't.

If you're trying to decide on paint, take a pic and play around with it on photoshop or something. That'll give you an idea beforehand.

[FJTillDeath]

I have played around on photoshop but trying to explain to the paint guy what red i was looking for and the type of paint i was looking for was not an easy task.

Other than that the rims dont really jut out that much so if you do change the colours it doesnt really stand out, but does look quite cool and sporty. The one red the paint guy did have didnt quite suit the colour of the bike and I would end up having to spray the entire bike to get it to match, which i guess does make the bike look shiny new, but costs an  arm and a leg where I live. Its a crime actually, everything to with a motorcycle in South Africa is ridiculously expensive compared to prices in America. Bikes normally cost twice as much and parts can cost up to 4 times as much which really sucks.

At least the rim tape is only 200 bucks (maybe 20 US$ dollars). But what kind of paint would you use to paint a rim and what would you use to paint a fairing? I have a spray gun capable of doing the job(i borrowed the one my uncles uses to paint his remote control planes). But it would be really nice to know what base paint to use and how many coats to apply?

Also being a young rider its all about the image as they say.. But a helmet mowhawk - what opinions does anyone have on them? I dont know any reasons that they negatively or positvely affect your ride, are there any negatives other than some bikers thinking you look like a dousch? Also I have read a bit about ear plugs, what Id like to know is isnt it more dangerous to e wearing them than not wearing them as the way i understand them to work is they block out most of the sound around you.

[Lotsokids]

Tape on the wheels looks good on a lot of sport bikes, but most of their wheels are black, which makes the color stand out. Our FJ's have bright steel sides, and I don't think that necessarily looks good with tape. My V-Max has similar style wheels with red tape, but it doesn't look very good... in my opinion. I think the silver takes away from the color.

Here's my V-Max:

[Mark Olson]

it is your bike so do what ya want. if you like it that is all that maters.

personally I believe the Mohawk is stupid. 

[1tinindian]

Tape on the wheels looks good on a lot of sport bikes, but most of their wheels are black, which makes the color stand out. Our FJ's have bright steel sides, and I don't think that necessarily looks good with tape. My V-Max has similar style wheels with red tape, but it doesn't look very good... in my opinion. I think the silver takes away from the color.

Here's my V-Max:

I'd have to agree that the bikes with the dark colored factory wheels benefit more from the wheel stripes, as my sons 919 shows.
The FJs machined edge screams to be polished, but that is just my opinion.

Leon

Before

After

[Adam FJ]

I have rim tape on my FJ, think it looks cool (but I would  ) and I have black powder coated wheels.



Adam.

[Travis398]

Adam.

Is that foot peg raised up? you must have some short legs 

[Adam FJ]

Adam.

Is that foot peg raised up? you must have some short legs 

I am 6 foot, but i like scratching with me FJ and upsetting the boys on GSXRs & R1, its amazing the looks you get when you come under them on corners 

[Dan Filetti]

That is sharp.  Especially, to your point, on the black wheels.  

As an aside, I've always admired the 919, great, under-sung bikes.  Very much like (but stronger) than the now-discontinued naked 600, which was also a great  as well.

Dan

[RichBaker]

Adam, what rearsets are those?

[FJTillDeath]

@ adam - beautiful job on your FJ everything about it screams beauty and after seeing everybody's bikes I now see I have a lot of work to do on mine. I agree with the part about the tape looking good on bikes that have full black wheels it just stands out more. But I like adams idea of painting the rims and then applying the tape. There was an FJ i saw that had its rims painted red which looked very tempting too. So much to do so little time and cash. Oh and Adam I love the exhaust on your bike. Also Im not sure what exhaust I have on mine as it doesnt have a name but it looks different to most of the FJs I have seen. Is it stock or what is it somebody please help.

[RichBaker]

It's right there on the can.....

[Adam FJ]

Adam, what rearsets are those?

There made by a company called Tarozzi
http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk/rearsets/cat_18.html

Not sure if you will have an outlet in the USA.

Adam.

[Harvy]

Adam, what rearsets are those?

There made by a company called Tarozzi
http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk/rearsets/cat_18.html

Not sure if you will have an outlet in the USA.

Adam.

Thanks for that Adam..... here is the page for the FJ's........ save you from searching.

http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk/rearsets/tarozzi-rearsets-model-specific/prod_87.html

Harvy