powdercoating frames..

[bugjuice]

just got back my '95 ZX6 frame from Rainbow Powder coaters in Albany, and for the tune of $145, my frame has been powder coated silver and lacquered over the top, and I must say, it is quite a top job. The frame was looking a bit tired, so I got it sand blasted then coated, and it looks like new now. But I've only done this, cos it's a new frame that was completely stripped and it's being rebuilt from the frame out. Else I don't know if I would have bothered. But, I just did a photoshop job on the 636, and I must say, it's a bit tempting..

Is it really worth stripping a bike completely to pieces just to coat the frame?

oh, I'll post photos of the frame as soon as I get home too, for those curious amongst us

[Postie]

yeah its worth it, i would. we could strip the bike in a day and rebuild in another day.
it would be fun.

[Eurodave]

Modern powder coating has come a long way & there are now some quite exciting finishes to be had plus its very durable & relatively cheap

[Test Pilot]

put up a b4 pic so we can see if it makes a difference

[DMNTD:Me]

I'd definately do it IF I had the bike stripped down. Would look sweet and protect it fully.
Wanting to do my rims the next time I replace my treads too.
Bling it on I reckon dood

[skidMark]

im probably about to get a frame done...but did they get all the underside or are there parts where the powder didnt get to it ?

[SixPackBack]

All dimensions on the frame now have a layer of powder-coating. When reassembling care and fore thought will be needed with brackets, hole diameters, ETC......not wanting to burst your bubble but assembly could take a little longer. The result will be stellar.

[kerryg]

Powder coating is fine but there are a couple of things to bear in mind:

1. They won't powder coat unless the surface is abrasive blasted first so you have to factor in that expense
2. Abrasive blasting deposits crud in every imaginable little out-of-the-way wrinkle and orifice..on your frame.......so you need to pay attention to areas where that could present a problem (eg bearing surfaces in your headstock, swing arm pivot)
3. Powder coating cunningly coats even the inside of threaded holes, making it difficult to re-insert bolts etc
4. Curing of powder is done at reasonably high temperature in an oven and it is best not to subject headstock and swingarm bearings to those temperatures so best remove them (also refer 2. above)

[bugjuice]

im probably about to get a frame done...but did they get all the underside or are there parts where the powder didnt get to it ?

every tiny little crevice was covered inside and out, and upside down..

and it does get everywhere. As for the thread for bolts etc, they plugged them all up with silicon cone things that drop into the hole to stop the powder from getting into the thread. But I'm sure some bolts may give me some shit.

Plus, the other thing the guy told me when I picked it up was that if fuel gets spilt on it, the coat will turn brown where it stains. I don't know how easy it'd do that, so just a quick word of caution. He told me about some guy who did his fuel tank, and now has brown spots all over it where the fuel has spat. I don't know how long you get between spilling it and it going brown. Most gas stations have watering cans near by, so if it gets any spilt on (doubtful), then I can just quick rinse it of the frame..

[skelstar]

Buggy: did the $145 include the sandblasting? Did it take you a day to take all the bits off?
Ta.

[bugjuice]

no, didn't include the sandblasting.. that's a long story, and I don't know the cost. It was sandblasted before I gave it to Rainbow.

[Coyote]

I think the sexy3sexy looks better with the black frame. The silver frame is just like most bikes

How easy is it to dismantle an entire bike and reassemble it? Roughly, how much would a shop charge?

[bugjuice]

isn't hard to do it yourself. If you think of it in chunks, you've got the fairings, an engine, wiring, forks and a swingarm. There's more to it than that in the practical side of it, but it's not a huge task. I'll be timing how long it takes to rebuild a ZX6 from this new powder coated frame to a running bike

[Waylander]

I'm assuming the silver frame look is what you're going for? If you do it mate, then getting those controls in chrome wont matter, they'll match your bike lol.

[Postie]

I'm assuming the silver frame look is what you're going for? If you do it mate, then getting those controls in chrome wont matter, they'll match your bike lol.

its already silver, he is after the black frame.