Road bike decals?

[REDRIDER]

My first post in the road section so be gentle.

Ive been making graphics for dirt bikes for a while and am toying with the idea of making decals "full kits, part kits, fairings etc" for road/sport bikes, the list of makes and models is endless but would like some feedback as to whether or not you all think this would be viable here in NZ.

Would you consider a graphic application to your machine?

I got broad shoulders, let me have it, hope this in the correct section.

[Armi]

I think they would sell. My biggest issue would be getting the old decals off on some models. The Scorpio for example has threads about people wanting to remove the decals but apparently there is clear coat over them.

How do parts need to be prepared for new decals?

[MSTRS:Me]

Decals. Words 'n shit are easy. Must be - I do 'em and have for years. You don't make much money tho.
As for full decal sets, such as replicas, forget it. They take hours and lots of experimenting with curves 'n angles etc. And there's just way too many models/variations out there to ever have a simple repeat of one you did/got right in the past.
Been there 'n done that too. There is NO money in that side of the industry.
Besides, a quick look on google will tell you that usually replica kits can be got from US or Britain for 2/10s of fuckall. Cos someone over there has done all the money-losing ground work already...

[MSTRS:Me]

I think they would sell. My biggest issue would be getting the old decals off on some models. The Scorpio for example has threads about people wanting to remove the decals but apparently there is clear coat over them.

How do parts need to be prepared for new decals?

It's not 'some' models. On road bikes, pretty much anything with a paint job has a clear topcoat. The decals are under it.
If replacing them, the clearcoat has to be removed, which is likely to damage the colourcoat too. Best not to go there UNLESS you are doing accident repair work.
In which case, once the dents/whatever are fixed, you spray a filler/undercoat, rub back, spray colour coat, rub back, repeat colour/rub, apply decals, spray top clear coat.

[Fast Eddie]

I believe there would be a market in original factory replica decals.

I want to respray some of my bikes in the future to restore them back to factory original so would want all the original decals and logos.. They are hard to find especially for the older bikes.

Not sure if there would be a market for after market designs etc.. maybe but I already know sign writers etc that will whip you up any plain decals/shapes and patterns or stuff that you want for fairly cheap.

Making exact replica logos and designs from factory schemes may be a bit tricky though. And you would have to be very good, no one would want to restore a bike and then have sub standard or incorrect replica decals reapplied.

[MSTRS:Me]

I believe there would be a market in original factory replica decals.

I want to respray some of my bikes in the future to restore them back to factory original so would want all the original decals and logos.. They are hard to find especially for the older bikes.

Not sure if there would be a market for after market designs etc.. maybe but I already know sign writers etc that will whip you up any plain decals/shapes and patterns or stuff that you want for fairly cheap.

Making exact replica logos and designs from factory schemes may be a bit tricky though. And you would have to be very good, no one would want to restore a bike and then have sub standard or incorrect replica decals reapplied.

This is what I was saying. And usually, all one has to work with are photos or google images, which never show the full picture. The curves and angles on an actual bike distort the decal, so one has to allow for that distortion when designing/making it. Once it's applied, it looks right, but ONLY IF the maker guessed right. If not, and chances are it won't be, the whole thing will have to be redone with the required changes.
Making replicas is a labour of love...forget making any money out of it.

[Laava]

I have decided against redoing my 1985 gsxr750 in factory trim for exactly these reasons MSTRS. It makes everything hard at paint shop time. Plus, Suzuki aren't sponsoring me so why should I advertise for them?
I will however put some generic stickers on in 'to be determined' places, as, with my last project bike, a bike shop owner made the comment that if it is unstickered it can look to some people like a crash/repair!
Can you do those little tiny ones on the controls? ie; turn, stop, L, R, high and low etc?

[MSTRS:Me]

I 'could' do an 86 full set. I'm pretty sure they are right. All the word parts are, cos I did them for someone years ago. They decided the cost of a full set wasn't warranted, and I don't blame them. I think it was over $400. Have a look in my decals album...
As for controls - no, too small to cut. Could try someone who does printing. Or are you good with a paint brush

[Laava]

Yeah, I'm not too good with the small stuff!

[MSTRS:Me]

There's obviously a whole body of evidence out there that says you are right...

[Laava]

Ha ha! I checked out your decals pics, I may have a bit of a re-think. I don't like the acronym bullshit that they used to plaster all over the place. SACS,YICS.HISS etc, Not needed. I used to have a toaster that had CPI. It stood for Crumpet Position Indicator! FFS!!!!!!
Just as a guide tho, you are saying that whole set would be around $4-500? Cheers John.

[MSTRS:Me]

If I want to make any money out of it...

[REDRIDER]

Decals. Words 'n shit are easy. Must be - I do 'em and have for years. You don't make much money tho.
As for full decal sets, such as replicas, forget it. They take hours and lots of experimenting with curves 'n angles etc. And there's just way too many models/variations out there to ever have a simple repeat of one you did/got right in the past.
Been there 'n done that too. There is NO money in that side of the industry.
Besides, a quick look on google will tell you that usually replica kits can be got from US or Britain for 2/10s of fuckall. Cos someone over there has done all the money-losing ground work already...

I get where you all comin from, but lets say I have the templates for most makes and models in a fairly detailed file, the theory being Id design, print, lam and cut what ever it was that you wanted.
No doubt the cost would have to be $300-400 "total figure out of my ass" but thats a given. attached is the sort of thing im more talking about not so much the "GSXR" or "Suzuki" factory vinyl cut decals.

[ktm]

That looks good

[MSTRS:Me]

I get where you all comin from, but lets say I have the templates for most makes and models in a fairly detailed file, the theory being Id design, print, lam and cut what ever it was that you wanted.
No doubt the cost would have to be $300-400 "total figure out of my ass" but thats a given. attached is the sort of thing im more talking about not so much the "GSXR" or "Suzuki" factory vinyl cut decals.

Ah, now I understand. Much more forgiving, time-wise. Could even make a reasonable profit, without charging moonbeams.
Yep - there'd be a smallish market for that sort of thing.