Winter Work - The Dark Side

[Del]

Well Gentlemen

I got bored again - and as some of you know Im going to the dark side and painting the bike black (collected spare panels) - I also got a swing arm from Ian that had been modified to take swing arm bobbins

The swing arm - Ive acid etch primed it and base coated in Piano Black basecoat - hopefully tomorrow I can clear coat it

The panels - the tank had a few dents that I filled - its been primed and flattened a few times so all smooth now and is ready for basecoat

The rest of the panels were in not bad condition so they were flattened and repaired where needed and today were primed

All in all its coming along - Ive bought another hugger just waiting on it arriving

Del

[seth]

looking great del you do some top work .
think we need to meet up for a beer next time i come south to see the outlaws in partick

[Del]

looking great del you do some top work .
think we need to meet up for a beer next time i come south to see the outlaws in partick

Would be good to raise a glass or two mate and is it not pronounced Pertick 

Del

[seth]

i think so but I'm originally from englandshire it's the wife who's from weegie world

[bigian14]

Swing arm looks good black 

[Dusty ST]

Thought the 'Dark Side' in motorcycle terms was all about putting car tyres on bikes?
Like this...
http://ridermagazine.com/2016/05/20/tales-from-the-dark-side-putting-car-tires-on-motorcycles/

[Andre]

@Proteous and other rocket men (and Ladies)

I did click the link but did not read the article. However, I came across this user comment. Might be worth it for you to read the article and comments.

You won't look back. I followed Darkside articles for about 5 years before trying it. I ride a 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring which has the torque to rip rear tires apart. I could barely get 6,000 miles on a rear tire. I would never go back. I can get nearly 3 times the miles on a CT. Once a motorcycle tire wears to about 50% they're also flat in the center. I use a run flat so the sidewall is stiff just like a motorcycle tire. I'm on my 3rd rear CT. I find it grips better on wet pavement and I have never had an issue dragging my floorboards without feeling secure. In a lot of situations you'll have more rubber on the ground with a CT. Check out comments from the Goldwing Road Riders Darkside forum or Triumph Rocket II forums.

[Del]

Managed to get the swingarm clear coated today - need to leave for a week or so to harden before I get around to fitting it  - I refurbished my spare calipers and got them rebuilt today

[ARH]

Nice work Del!   

[Mrg]

Amassing work I love the swing arm and brakes top job   

[Red Biker]

Looking good Del,
Dark side is the future 😎

I'm going to attempt rear cowl
and tank this winter.

Do you use a spray gun?
Where do you get your paints from?

Cheers
Red

[Del]

Hi Red

I use a 600ml spray gun with a 1.3mm needle - I've been chucking paint about for many a year (as a hobby)

I get my paint form a local paint supplier or ebay and tend to use basecoat colour and then clearcoat as i get a better finish and easier to correct

happy to help with any information or questions

Del

[Red Biker]

Great thans Del,
I'm defo gonna have a go this winter, do you use the same size needle for base and top coat?

The guy I share my lock up with has just bought a sand blaster which i have access to, I'm guessing I 'll use that for the tank but do rear cowl by hand?

Thanks
Red

[Del]

Oooh I wouldnt sandblast the tank unless he has a really fine media (such as Bicarb) or you run the risk of warping the tank - if you do get a fine media then youll need to seal the tank to make sure nothing get in it - the K2 tank Ive just done I removed the declas with a grinder with a nylon pad that didnt dig into the steel and removed teh decals in jig time - Still needed 3 coats of primer to get to basecoat stage

I use the same gun for base and clear - I use a 1.8mm needle in another gun to prime with

All my gins are HVLP so dont need huge compressor to run

@Red Biker

[Red Biker]

Thanks Del,
Do you wet/dry the plastic bits by hand?

Thanks
Red