As the snow was melting away and I was thinking about the coming riding season, I figured I should start with getting the transmission recall work done on my 2000 Road Star 1600. The previous owner apparently didn't feel it was necessary, and I've put it off for a year and a half myself. Knowing that the engine had to come out of the frame for the repair, I started to think about changing the color while it was apart and repainting the tank due to a large paint bubble that formed on the left side.

In discussing this with my wife, she decided that she wanted to buy new paint for the bike as my birthday present. Here is where the whole process began. I started looking into paint schemes, materials and prices, and making arrangements with the dealer to make things happen. After making a final decision on paint colors I went to the local paint shop and placed an order, and with some help from my kids, started stripping down the roadie to send to the dealer.



Here is the last pic taken before dismantling started.



And this is how it was taken to the dealer. I was told it would be atlest a week before they could toutch it because of the work they had schedualed. Three days later they called and said I could pick it up.



And this is what I got back.

While the bike was having the engine removed I built a stand to mount the frame and other parts to that would make the sanding and painting easier. Once the frame was stripped bare we mounted it up and the sanding began.





Skipping ahead several photos, here's how the frame came out. Keep in mind this color is hard to get a good photo of.



PPG Harlequin Green to Purple, with three coats of clear. After the initial sanding etch primer was sprayed, followed by 2K high build. Then wet sanded, more 2K, sanded again, then 2 coats of black (most color change paints will work only on a black base).

I'm out of time for now, but will post more later. Questions and comments will be appreciated.

I like you stand ... think I will do that next time instead of hanging the frame from the ceiling.

Frame must look good!! I have some green/gold/purple transition on mine.

Doc

Hey Powderburn
Great job on the frame!
Also great job on the frame stand!

Looks pretty cool, can not wait to see the rest of it. Bet your pretty happy so far.

Can' wait to see the next stage of pictures.

That looks like more then a six pack job to me Good luck with your build.

Thanks for the comments. I'm having a great time with this project and am quite happy with my results so far. Hammer, is that your ride sitting there in pieces? That also looks like more than a six pack job.

I should mention that this is my first real paint job. I've painted several forklifts in the past at a place I use to work, but they only cared that the machine was all the same color and had a little shine to it. They often had me paint just after sanding with 80 grit.
When I sprayed the color change on the frame I was distracted by all the colors I was seeing and was afraid that I was going to mess it up. I did get a few small runs in the clear coat in places that don't show.
Since getting the frame done I've worked on the fenders, covers, and tank a bit. The rear fender was bent and dented, and had been welded on from some one else's repair. I also had some drill holes to weld over from where a back rest had been mounted. All of these parts have been primed, guide coated and wet sanded. Body filler was added and sanded where needed, and currently they have their second layer of 2K high build primer on them and are ready for another wet sanding. I think I'm doing ok for being about three weeks into the project and working on it when I can.
Here's a few more pictures.








The chrome on the spedo bezel was pitted and nasty looking, so somthing had to be done there too.







And here's one of the bezel with a test pannel of the the other paint colors. The photo looks a bit more blue than it should.



And this brings the project to it's current state. Here's a direct link to my Photobucket album for anyone that would like to see more:

http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y132/Powderburn/Road%20Star%20Repaint/

Time for another update. After a bit more primer sanding I was able to get all the body parts sprayed metallic silver. Spent a bit of time on color lay out ideas, then decided it would be easiest to paint everything purple first.








I really like the way the clear coat brings the paint to life. While spraying the purple I decided to use my test pannel to try some masking film, to be sure it is solvent proof. Here's how that turned out.




My paint supplier said that the paint wrinkled from spraying on top of clear without allowing it to cure, and it is a risk any time many layers are sprayed in a short period of time. Because of this I've decided to leave the parts solid purple for a few months before adding the green and any other art work.
So it's on to cutting and buffing.This kit has three stages of compound and a special wax that is made for paint that is still curing.





This pic is after step two of the polishing. Today's goal is to get the side covers and lower fender piece painted and cleared, and lots of colorsanding and buffing.

looking good!

Looks good so far.