Pic Request: Flat Black Bike

[Colorado CJ]

I am going to be repainting my bike soon and was wondering how it would look in flat/satin black.

I have an '80 GS 550L model so it has the chrome fenders, which I am thinking on painting flat black as well. I think I'd like the look of flat black with chrome forks, headers/exhaust, etc...

Any pics would be great! It'll help me make the decision much easier.

[tkent02]

flat black looks like someone was too lazy to finish.
Looks like ass.

[bonanzadave]

flat black looks like someone was too lazy to finish.
Looks like ass.

Gee tk, did some one paint your trike flat black when you were a kid? 8-[

CJ, look in the GS gallery. Theres a few black bikes pics in there.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_scripts/gallerydisp.php

[80GS750]

i think it can look good if done right.....

everyones entitled to their opinion!

in most cases though TK is right

[Zooks]

Go the Ratbike.

http://www.airtightgrafix.com/images/Terry%20Race%20Bike.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/crashbass/caferacercb250001.jpg

[atvpyrofreak]

I think if you really gun-ho on the flat black, adding a little bit of pin striping really helps and would make it look a little less like a lazy mans finish.

Also... PLEASE don't just paint over the chrome. PLEASE! Surface prep makes all the difference.

[t3rmin]

I love a good ratbike!

[GSBuilder]

Go the Ratbike.

http://www.airtightgrafix.com/images/Terry%20Race%20Bike.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ercb250001.jpg

I don't know that either of those qualifies as a Rat. The Airtight looks nice, but "rat?" I don't really think it qualifies.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_Nltt5XsjMfo/RytWqe0nwpI/AAAAAAAAAI4/druKWGS_4pg/s1600-h/rat+bike5.jpg

This is a rat IMO.

http://www.ratbike.org/

[Dogma]

I don't know that either of those qualifies as a Rat. The Airtight looks nice, but "rat?" I don't really think it qualifies.

http://bp1.blogger.com/_Nltt5XsjMfo/RytWqe0nwpI/AAAAAAAAAI4/druKWGS_4pg/s1600-h/rat+bike5.jpg

This is a rat IMO.
http://www.ratbike.org/

I agree. As far as I'm concerned, anything with an intentionally cultivated or developed look is not a rat. I wouldn't even call it a rat poser. I think it looks tough in flat black. But then again, if enough people get together and call their bikes "rat", then I guess that's what they're called. So what do you call a rider who obviously cares only about performance?

[andrewclaycomb]

Nothing looks tougher
I love flat black!!!!!!

[andrewclaycomb]

I'm thinking about painting my Bandit flat black and if I had a toy car it would definitely be flat black!

[russr33]

Here's a pic of my chopper which just got done with satin black and satin clear. I agree with an earlier poster who said that flat just looked a little unfinished to me. I was very happy with the look/result.

[Colorado CJ]

Thanks guys. What I am looking for is more of a satin than totally flat black. Russr33, your bike looks great! That is pretty much what I am going for, but maybe slightly less glossy.

I'm thinking on spraying a black base coat, then adding a little design and finally spraying on a clear/flattener coat. So I guess it won't be pure flat black, but not a gloss either.

BTW, I am a sandblaster/painter by trade (my family has been in the sandblasting business since the 1940's) so I know all about prep work . I'll be taking the tank (and possibly the fenders) and sandblasting them, then bondo the few small imperfections, finish glaze, prime then paint.

Just don't know if I want to paint the fenders yet. Not much else to paint on the GS if I don't.

[russr33]

Thanks guys. What I am looking for is more of a satin than totally flat black. Russr33, your bike looks great! That is pretty much what I am going for, but maybe slightly less glossy.

I'm thinking on spraying a black base coat, then adding a little design and finally spraying on a clear/flattener coat. So I guess it won't be pure flat black, but not a gloss either.

BTW, I am a sandblaster/painter by trade (my family has been in the sandblasting business since the 1940's) so I know all about prep work . I'll be taking the tank (and possibly the fenders) and sandblasting them, then bondo the few small imperfections, finish glaze, prime then paint.

Just don't know if I want to paint the fenders yet. Not much else to paint on the GS if I don't.

Thanks CJ - The pics really make it look a little shinier than it really is. It looks just like satin powdercoat in person. I was having the same questions you were before I did it. When I got the bike it was flat black (no clear and unfinished) and my buddy has a black gloss job so I was shooting for kinda an in-between look. Maybe you could shoot it flat and then use a satin clear? Or powdercoat it?

[CraigS]

I actually powder coated the tank, the exhaust and parts of the engine. I shot the front fender and the side plastics and tail flat black. I like the way it looks.