Thanks to those that like the desing. It was originally all black flames (same as my icon)-thes new graphic programs can do ANYTHING. It took them maybe two minutes to make it color, and showed it to me in five different color schemes!

to answer Doc's comments-yep, bought her brand new 2.5 years ago with 1/2 mile on the odometer. You brought up an nteresting point though-I stopped by a biker buddy that has a body shop yesterday (on the way back from having the decals applied) and he asked if the tank had been painted before, too! His two cents (after having to hear the Harley B.S.-he's got three-one in his living rooom!), was wait until Winter, remove the decals (which he says is what most factory jobs are now, anyway), and reapint the whole deal! I allmost hate to go that route, because, as NOTHD ( BTW, I get it now-not Harley-Davidson!) I really like the stock black and white paint scheme, and I don't know if I'd want to just paint a tank, and not re-do the whole bike (wonder what a custom paint job costs these days-$2 grand or so?)

Doc, you've got me scared now about just sanding the clear coat. Roadstar white is definitely metallic....

get the paint code and they can just redo the white area of yer tank ...you will never notice the difference if ya get a good body shop....no need to do the whole bike or the whole tank if they can blend the clearcoat to the pinstriping...

n2dwoodz wrote:
I really like the stock black and white paint scheme, and I don't know if I'd want to just paint a tank, and not re-do the whole bike (wonder what a custom paint job costs these days-$2 grand or so?)

Doc, you've got me scared now about just sanding the clear coat. Roadstar white is definitely metallic....



actually depending on the shop, complexity, etc. I think they start around $1200 for something simple. Got a quotes of 3 colors, nothing really complex for 1400 - 1900 for fenders/tank/side covers. I had friends just get ghost flames for @ $700.

Ouch!

I know some of these exotic paints cost $$, but you used to be able to prep a car and spray it for less (guess I'm showing my age).

$#%*ing economy!

the quotes I got were for two candy colors (one marbleized), which are expensive, separated by a silver stripe. I'm sure to redo you tank to touch up the white and fix the clear couldn't be more than a few hundred $. I'm sure Earl Schieb still has a good deal too

I suspect you could get it redone like Pop suggested for @$500 give or take a hundred or two.

You need to decide the future of your bike. If you're going to repaint in a year or so the leave it and ride ... don't start throwing money into the pit.

If you like it well enough then you need to fix it .... it detracts from the look.

If the later, you can do as you buddy advised ... wait until it's cold. Unfortunately, the longer it's in the heat the more 'fixed' it becomes. I suspect you won't be able to remove the decal without removing more of the clear ... which makes the decal useless.

You need to determine if it's stripped down to the base coat ... have a body shop check the area that is not covered by the decal. If not compeletly removed, then it's not a big deal. They can shoot clear over top and you'll never know the difference.

Painting a bike costs more than painting a car ... Ya ... sounds crazy. That's why I do my own painting.

Doc