Thinking about paint colors

[rosso75]

I've seen some pretty good looking non-factory colors in the gallery here and thought I'd get some inputs.

Let me say up front, any time you're talking about paint, you're talking about a persons individual preferences.  You don't like the color of your bike, and somebody else posted that they do...perfect example.  I'm about to paint my bike in the next month or so, and since you asked for input, I'll share my thoughts with regard to my own project.

First, I generally like bike colors on bikes, and car colors on cars.  My general impression is that auto manufacturers like to use more metalic, and pearl, and *sparkly* stuff, and bike manufacturers don't.  Ford came out with Mustangs that had the color shifting paint (Mystic) at least 13 or 14 years ago, and it became the big thing for a while.  Have you ever seen a bike manufacturer go that route?  A car has so much more surface area than a bike that the paint can be more flashy without being overkill.  On a bike, I just think it's too much. 

Also, there's a lot of odd angles really close to each other on a bike.  I think that's why you see more two (or three) color paint jobs on bikes than cars.  Stripes and multiple colors tie that all together more neatly than any single color could.

Second, I think the color has to be appropriate for the year.  Meadow Mist Green would look horrible on a new Taurus, but looks great on a '56 Ford Tudor.  Same thing with a bike.  I also think the color has to be appropriate for the make.  Green is nice, but it's a Kawasaki color.  Personally, I would never paint my Yamaha green, unless it's part of a complete custom job, and even then I wouldn't want the shade of green to be even close to the Kawasaki.  If you just want to replace the orange with green, I don't think it would look good.

Generally, when I see an ad for a bike with a "custom paint job", I just skip it.  For most people, "custom" means they just changed the color to something they thought looked cool on their friends Civic.  It's the "scuff it and shoot it" mentality.  To me, "custom" means multiple colors, pin strips, and airbrushing.  It means you spent some time laying out lines, and angles, but none of that means it has to necessarily be flashy.  When I do my bike, I want something the people into FJ's will know isn't stock, but bikers in general won't have a clue.  Obviously custom to people "in the know", but not something that yells "CUSTOM PAINT!".  To me, those are the best paint jobs.  They look factory, even though people know it isn't.   

Personally, I like the hot rod black, but I think it's on the verge of being overplayed.  I'd like to use it on my own bike, but as a small percentage of the overall job.  I had my frame, swingarm, and fork tubes powdercoated black with a 20% gloss, and my plan is to go with a traditional Yamaha white, yellow, and black paint scheme.  The black will be the hot rod black.

Painting a bike is a tough decision.  Whatever you end up with, you have to sit on, and be seen around town on.  Good luck with whatever you decide.   

[ribbert]

I have also been researching paint jobs for a '91 and have scoured the net endlessly.  What makes the FJ more of a challenge, if you want a multi colour job, is the gap between upper and lower fairings.  There are some great looking colour schemes but most rely on the continuity of a full fairing.  It's a lot of work to get wrong (and there are plenty of those out there)  I think Yamaha nailed the the pattern pretty well and at the risk of being boring, I'm going with a close version of the early silver / black / red (slightly different colours and the later model tank pattern) unless of course something pops up before I start.  The bike currently has bodywork from 3 different models - 2 blues and black.  I would welcome any suggestions or photos.
Noel

[turbocamino]

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[turbocamino]

http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k576/kaw-zx/Picture009.jpg     Looks more gold...i thought tangerine came out well

[1tinindian]

There you go.
Great looking color!

Leon

[cyclenutk75]

Yamaha Blue with some white accents!!! No joke I had a dream of a Yamaha blue FJ last night with YAMAHA in white on the lower fairings and on the tank...maybe a white stripe or something on the tail...

Did a trip up the pike to look at a blue 92 FJ have anything to do with that dream?  Anxiously waiting to hear if you bought it.
GT

[rosso75]

I think Yamaha nailed the the pattern pretty well...

That was my thought as well.  And I agree that a full fairing would make it much easier.  I saw one on Craigslist a few weeks ago for $500.  Too rich for me.

When I do my bike, I'will probably follow the original pattern, somewhat, just with new colors.  I like the tangerine bike.  I think the stripes help out.  If it was just the tangerine, I don't think it would look as good.  I'd have done it slightly differently, but everybody has their preferences.  Overall though....


I'd be interested in seeing what others have come up with, if the folks who have repainted maybe wanna post a pic.....?

[cyclenutk75]

I'd be interested in seeing what others have come up with, if the folks who have repainted maybe wanna post a pic.....?

Not my FJ, but I wish it was.  And I hope elbows doesn't have this pic copy righted.  This is the most awesome paint job I've seen on any scoot.  Really torques my shorts.  First pic I saw of this bike it was on a lift, and the pure sweetness of the paint job showed up a lot better.  I can't find the pic now.  Maybe elbows will post it.  Elbows, you are my hero.   See http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=6051.msg53231#msg53231

GT

[bugboy]

I went ahead and did a rattlecan satin black. I figured this would be OK as I don't plan on fixing up a lot of other cosmetics on the bike any time in the near future. I didn't want to sink a lot of time and money into a real nice paint job with the rest being kind of ratty.




I just wanted something different than the orange with the bad stickers.  I'll be putting on some "non-red" tires soon and remounting the full lower fairing.

[timleslie1957]

I went ahead and did a rattlecan satin black. I figured this would be OK as I don't plan on fixing up a lot of other cosmetics on the bike any time in the near future. I didn't want to sink a lot of time and money into a real nice paint job with the rest being kind of ratty.




I just wanted something different than the orange with the bad stickers.  I'll be putting on some "non-red" tires soon and remounting the full lower fairing.

Looks great.  Trying to do mine in rattle can satin black as well but keep getting poor results.  What paint did you use?  Preps?  Temp when painting?  Anything would help. 

[racerrad8]

Looks great.  Trying to do mine in rattle can satin black as well but keep getting poor results.  What paint did you use?  Preps?  Temp when painting?  Anything would help. 

Tim,

Kurt (bugboy) has not been active on the forum since 2014. There is an email listed in his profile. You might email him that question since he probably is not going to see this post anytime soon.

If you do get a response from him, please post it up for every to be able to access.

Randy - RPM

[timleslie1957]

Oh okay.  Thanks, Randy.  I appreciate it.

[aviationfred]

I went ahead and did a rattlecan satin black. I figured this would be OK as I don't plan on fixing up a lot of other cosmetics on the bike any time in the near future. I didn't want to sink a lot of time and money into a real nice paint job with the rest being kind of ratty.




I just wanted something different than the orange with the bad stickers.  I'll be putting on some "non-red" tires soon and remounting the full lower fairing.

Looks great.  Trying to do mine in rattle can satin black as well but keep getting poor results.  What paint did you use?  Preps?  Temp when painting?  Anything would help. 

Tim,

I bought that bike from bugboy a few years ago. The satin paint was well done with no signs of chipping from road debris. When I did a spare set of bodywork in satin white. I used Rustoleum 2x coverage rattle cans. The satin sprays real easy and 3-4 coats gives a good durable finish. As for prep. Once the OEM decals were removed, I used 320 grit to break through the OEM shine. Temperature wise, 65*F or higher is good and the lower the humidity, the better.

Here is a photo of the satin black '87 and the satin white spare body work that I did.


Fred

[Pat Conlon]

What was those red tires?

[FJmonkey]

Might be these http://ridemonkey.bikemag.com/threads/c-o-l-o-r-s-tomahawk-tires-moto.168553/