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Message started by Brendan on 09/17/06 at 20:54:38

Title: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 09/17/06 at 20:54:38

Hi All,
I have my bike fully stripped down for a respray (and I mean FULLY), its in a thousand bits and all my panels are now bare metal. Im going to respray the whole lot, frame and all 5 panels. I have chosen a beautiful deep mettalic red colour and my question is should I spray the frame the same red as the 5 panels, or should I keep the frame a gloss black? I am leaning towards gloss black but would appreciate your thoughts! I am taking lots of photos along the way, so will have to show you some later.

P.S did you guys know these bikes arent undercoated in the factory? And the paint is wafer thin on them too.... Suzuki must have been chasing a price point when they came to finishing them!zd

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by mickthelimey on 09/17/06 at 21:46:00

If it was mine I would keep the frame a gloss black,it will make a nice contrast,are you painting the engine case? colour is a very personal thing so what ever makes YOU happy is the colour you should paint it.
I dabble in oil painting and water colours,so I have a pretty good eye for colour,that's what I would do.
FYI in the U.S they spell colour c-o-l-o-r,glad to see you still use the Kings English,I'm an ex pat meself mate,born and raised in the old smoke,I live in Oregon
U.S.A now. I have a cousin lives in Perth,
gd'day mate ;)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 09/17/06 at 22:02:18

Yeah I think thats what Ill do mate, a red frame would be too garish I reckon. I looked at the galary here and it seems most of the resprays keep the frame gloss black.

Ha Ha colour/color grey/gray aluminium/aluminum...the list goes on! I like my english the old pommie way! ;)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by stinger on 09/18/06 at 01:23:26

I like the black frame. Altho a friend of mine repainted his harley a stop light red, and had the same concern. he decided to paint the frame a darker color of red, almost a rust color and it came out beautiful. You would think it would be garish, but it made the tank and panels blend with the frame whereas when he tried it with a black frame, the panels stood out from the black and it didnt look near as smooth. Maybe you could experiment

(by the way mickthe limey, im having a hard time hooking up with you. i dont mind buffing out some parts for you and maybe go for a ride before all the rain sets in. My mail server is down so if you email me at stinger_97060@yahoo com and leave a number, ill call)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by mickthelimey on 09/18/06 at 09:27:21

that's ok stinger,I got myself a grinding wheel the other day,it did come with a buffing wheel,so I'm all set.thanks anyway.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by PerrydaSavage on 09/18/06 at 13:22:21

Someone on here recently posted a nice pic of a Bobbed Savage that had the frame painted the same shade of blue as the tins ... looked rather sharp actually! 8)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Lil Em on 09/18/06 at 14:12:18

My opinion is to keep the frame black. I just had my bike repainted hot lava orange and kept the frame black. I don't have pictures yet as it has been raining here in good ole' Utah. I just got a new seat for it so that to has to be put on before the pictures can be taken. The color is from the 2004 Scion XB limited edition color. I'm originally from Texas so when you see the color you'll understand why I chose it. Good luck with the respray. Send pictures when it's done.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Kropatchek on 09/19/06 at 09:07:41

Mine is Yellow with the frame painted black , as almost all bikes: black frame and a color.

Still looking for a color to paint the whole bike .

Dark red will look nice.

Greetz
Kropatchek 8)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Savage Librarian on 09/19/06 at 13:23:10

I typically prefer a gloss black frame, but I've seen some nice examples of color matched frame/panels.

I've toyed with the idea of doing a "negative" version of Mr Hyde. Where the usually black bits are colored, and the usually colored bits are black.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by PerrydaSavage on 09/19/06 at 14:24:30

Quote:

I've toyed with the idea of doing a "negative" version of Mr Hyde. Where the usually black bits are colored, and the usually colored bits are black

Now that would be interesting!

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Trippah on 09/19/06 at 19:19:06

Sounds niice- how about a dark green frame??Can you give us a manufacturer and colour code so we can more accurately drool. ;D This is in fact the colour combo I'm thinking of so if you want to do yours first..might save me some time..Best of luck and don't skimp on the photos.

The negative Mr. Hyde thing is the other question- Metallic green frame and blood red parts, or the other way around.??

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Jim_R on 09/20/06 at 13:27:59

I say paint the frame. Either a matching color or a dark contrast of the color but NOT BLACK. If you are going through all the trouble in painting the frame dont let peoples eyes ignore it. I remember Torques frame was red and it looked great. It also shows you went through the trouble of a custom paint job. Why do all that work so it could look stock.

Dont EVER use green and red together unless u are designing a XMAS bike hahha.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by lancer on 09/21/06 at 04:43:05

I typically prefer a black frame, but I have seen one that was a dark charcoal grey that looked really sharp. If I remember correctly the rest of the bike was a candy red.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Trippah on 09/29/06 at 19:29:10

Brendan - how goes the respray ? What color did u choose? Picts?

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 10/04/06 at 21:05:56

Mate....this is my first respray job and let me tell you is it taking time and effort! The colour is sensational, I have taken a boat load of pics so when its all done I will update this thread with them. The colour is an American brand, cant remember the name, but the code was RM259. I will endeavour to get the exact details to you all once the job is finished.

So far....

I got the primer on really well, spent lots and lots of time straightening up the tank. It seemed that for every dent I would smooth out another two would appear. The front guard had 3 holes drilled in it and a mudguard attached. I didnt like this at all so I pulled it off and had a mate weld them up. Getting the colour coats on has been frustrating, its spring here and there is a huge wattle tree in my yard that is pumping out pollen which is giving me grief, even in my garage. This stuff is coming in under the door or something. However now I am 90% happy with the colour coats, they are not perfect but they are good enough. Theres a couple of spots here and there but im afraid it will just have to do. I am putting on the clear coats now and have run into more problems. I thinned the clear out what I thought would be enough but evidently it wasnt. This resulted in some pretty shoddy layers going on as of about 30 mins ago (I sprayed them during my lunch break at work). So this evening I will have to pull the panels down again, rub them back and get back into it later on. Its very warm here today (25 degrees outside), and probably even hotter in my shed....so thats not helping me either. Im going to thin out the clear heaps more before putting more coats on this evening. :)

Title: Respraying the savage
Post by georgekathe on 10/06/06 at 04:43:58

came across this entry late, but Brendan - did you end up painting the frame the same color/complimenting/constrasing color as tank or black?

(traditional part of me says black, black, black (was it Ford who said about the Model T: "Any color as long as it is black"?)). however, the more daring part of me, perhaps having seen too many shows with those clowns on the Discovery Channel & their wild & wacky bikes, agrees with Jim-R & some of others - if you are going to trouble to paint frame then go the whole hog & get a really individual color scheme (but not red & green). me - in some ways I'd be too scared to paint it annother color in case it didn't look good when it was all done.

can't say why they can't spell out here in this particular former colony, per mickthelimey (I'm from the East End meself - nothing wrong with being a "pom") - don't even come close on "aluminium," do they?!" ;D

look forward to pics, Brendan

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 10/09/06 at 18:33:39

I decided to just go with black, it hasnt been sprayed yet but that will be happening this week sometime (i hope so anyway). Due to the learning process I am going thorough I dont have enough colour left to do it in a colour. Im not planning on holding onto the bike for too long either, so I needed to go with something that will appeal to the most potential buyers, and I think black will do that nicely. And like you said, I think I would cry if I got it back together only to realise it looks crap!

Just a bit more on my plans to sell up once the bike is looking good - The main reason I want to sell is that deep in my heart I want a V twin, and deep deep in my heart it has to be a HD. I got my bike for 350 aussie dollars, and for 500 it was mechanically perfect, only with daggy paint. There is no way in hell I could get a harley in oz for that money, so I plan on making a bit of profit on this bike, then doing the process again and again until I can afford a harley....I might be waiting a while, as a harley in the same condition as my savage over here would be at least 10,000. (except for sportsters, theyre a bit cheaper). Secondly, I am too tall for the savage. Im about 6'2 and all arms and legs, so when im on the savage I look a bit awkward. If I keep her, and it is a possibility, I will have to do all the usual tall rider mods.

Brendan

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by georgekathe on 10/09/06 at 20:37:29

good luck with your work building & selling bikes towards your dream machine, Brendan!

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 10/09/06 at 23:48:11

Thanks champion. Ive got a road ahead of me yet!

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 01/14/07 at 15:23:38

Hi Guys, as promised here are a couple of photos from my respray job I did last year. I have others but they are mainly of me undercoating things or doing the motor etc. I have just added the link to bikepics to view the photos, is this OK? Hope it works. There is a photo there which looks like is just a garage, that is my garage and it has every single piece of the suzuki in there except the frame....I had that bike down to the last nut and bolt!

http://www.bikepics.com/members/19brendan81/86savage/

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Rockin_John on 01/14/07 at 19:22:23

Brendan wrote:

Very very nice colour choice Brendan! Sorry I wasn't here to advise you on American perspective of color scheme, but it looks like you did just fine without me ;)

BTW folks, I was an industrial painter for about ten years, so I've sprayed a few thousand gallons of paint and primer! As a matter of fact, I've painted a great deal of equipment bound for the mines out around Perth!

Anyway... Your color scheme looks great! Though my recommendation on a full teardown might have been to go all the way with contrasting colors, the black does contrast with that red as well as about anything, so...

I thought this bike was due for the block... what's the matter? Can't bring yourself to part with it now? ;D

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 01/14/07 at 21:27:16

Thanks mate, I was stoked with colour as well. I have since thought a little more about painted frames and what not, and have warmed to the idea. I have seen a similar coloured bike with a gold frame that looked fantastic, as well as black bikes with gold frames. My next project is already decided, im going to chop a 70's model Jap 4 into a cafe racer. Im thinking silver frame and metallic blue panels! I cant wait to get started so the savage is due to go. Im also coming to the USA and Canada on a holiday in 6 months time, so the money from the bike will come in handy for that also.

Tell you what though, getting back on it after having it in bits for 3 months put a smile on my face. I love the savage!

P.S Next time I visit outback Western Australia ill pop into a mine and check out your work!

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Fido_the_Cat on 01/15/07 at 19:46:17

Very nice contrast and choice of paint shade. IMHO the secret to getting contrasting shades to work well is in the shadowing. It needs to look like it belongs. I'll leave the rest to the people that know what they are talking about.
Is this going to be a keeper? Looks to good to sell. Keep this one to ride while working on the others. You'll always have one to "clear your head"

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by justin_o_guy on 01/16/07 at 00:47:26

I guess now would be a dandy time to make sure the swing arm & head stock bearings are all in good shape,
Since you are going to such lengths to "make it yours" I see no reason to not part with tradition. Paint the frame if that suits ya. Some color that contrasts or complements. maybe something that would look good with the same Highlights/ pinstriping as the tins get?

Have fun with it.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Rogue_Cheddar on 01/16/07 at 09:59:20

It came out very nice. The color is a lot like my 1995 candy apple red or 2006 red that is also a metallic. I think a contrasting red frame, say a dry metallic coat with no gloss might have looked good too. it sure looked like a lot of hard work, but the bike looks brandy new.
Oh by the way,the pic of the garage leads me to think that your S.O. is really into flowers or you have a nice marijuana farm going somewhere, or did you need all those pots to store all the miscellaneous nuts and bolts from the bike? ;)

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Bri_Fri on 01/16/07 at 13:04:40

I think it looks awesome! :o :D

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 01/16/07 at 15:00:11

Ha Ha, no the pots are mine! I grow and sell chilli plants in my spare time. Its nearly as fun and rewarding as rebuilding bikes : ) I took her over rego yesterday, passed without a hitch. Now I advertise it! Keeping it did cross my mind, but at the end of the day its too small for me and I want to start another project ASAP. Whilst rebuiilding I can fulfil my two wheeled urges by riding my dirt bike.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Five_Points on 01/17/07 at 05:34:48

Looks great man! Good job. I'm digging the color scheme.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Bikemom28 on 01/19/07 at 19:37:40

Hey Rocking John I am also going to be repainting my bike this comming week and I am having a hard time in chosing a color. I am going to keep my frame black as well. I was thinking maybe a purple or an orange. Not quite sure. I like purple but I don't think it would look good with my black frame. Any Idea's as to what color's would look good with my black frame?

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by justin_o_guy on 01/20/07 at 13:35:23

Here is something an artist can use. Even regular folks get some help here. It's a color wheel. You can see colors that contrast & those that complement.

http://realcolorwheel.com/1color.htm#TWELVE%20COLOR

Maybe you can find a main color & a trim color that will go nicely with the black frame. I like that frame color. It's already there & it's a good glossy paint. I like painted frames too, but by not messin with it ya save $$$ & time. Some trim on the frame looks good.
HTH Someone.

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Greg_650 on 01/21/07 at 09:29:02

Brendan wrote:

P.S did you guys know these bikes arent undercoated in the factory? And the paint is wafer thin on them too.... Suzuki must have been chasing a price point when they came to finishing them!zd

You're right about that. "If you can't see it, then who cares" must be the attitude.

When I stripped mine, I found some of the sloppiest welding with splatters and all. (I also had some permanent engine guard mounts welded to the frame). Anyway, at that point I decided to smooth out some of the welds and do a little bit of Bondo work.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b277/gmdinusa/Frame07web.jpg

Title: Re: Respraying the savage
Post by Brendan on 01/22/07 at 12:47:28

Nice. :)

Panel work is a slow tedious process, but geez its rewarding once you get it done. My tank had 2 dents in it which were obvious to the eye, and half a dozen other minor ones. Theyre all gone now and the lines on the tank are much better.