Show me your painted pipes!

[82 GS550L Basket Case]

I'm rebuilding a motorcycle for my senior project in high school (link to my thread is below ) and i want to paint the WHOLE motorcycle flat black. Can i see some painted pipes (don't necessarily have to be black) with information on:
What paint did you use?
How long ago did you paint the pipes?
How does it look? did it crack (are there any downsides to the type of paint you used)?
All comments/responses are welcome!

Thank you all. Super excited

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=197826

[Guest]

I used VHT Flameproof ceramic-based paint, which is probably one of the best available (in a rattle can, at least) for this application. I shot a couple coats (flat black) over the existing 7 year old ceramic coating on the pipes, and it held up very well (probably enhanced by the insulating qualities of the underlying ceramic coating), and it's supposedly rated for temps up to 2000F. I painted the system about 3 years ago, ran it for 2 seasons, and then put the pipes in storage, as I'm currently running a stainless Supertrapp.

[oldpara]

On my little 250 I used Rustoleum Stove paint.
Works well. If you run the bike and let "cure" you can rub it down with a soft cloth and it gets a satin type finish.



Did the same for my 1100 this time around, on the 1100 it gets a little dull just out of the engine but otherwise looks good and will be easily touched up if it gets dinged.



On the 500 I used duplicolor first but it started to flake some, so I resprayed the are with the Rustoleum and all is good.

[5150/gs]

I looked twice thought it said painted panties hahhaha

[GateKeeper]

VHT header paint, then wrapped, and their silicone spray to protect the wrap

[Guest]

Scuffed the heck out of the rusty chrome with 80 on a D/A sander then several coats of VHT header paint. About a year old now. Holding up well.

[oldpara]

Oh Lord, have I got "panties" on the brain again ??

[SVSooke]

Freshly painted they look OK but I never have had much luck keeping them looking good.One ride in the rain andThink I'm going to use my sand blaster on it this winter and maybe try that VHT stuff.

[Baatfam]

Freshly painted they look OK but I never have had much luck keeping them looking good.One ride in the rain andThink I'm going to use my sand blaster on it this winter and maybe try that VHT stuff.

Same for me, SVS...tried a couple times and the last time I used the 2000? Ceramic VHT stuff...
Lasted a season...

This spring I had my pipes black ceramic coated...much better. Although I already have a small spot underneath that has come off...

[Steve]

I'm rebuilding a motorcycle ... and i want to paint the WHOLE motorcycle flat black.

Can you please explain to me what the appeal is of a flat black bike?

I know there is a certain appeal to being "individualistic", but when everybody is doing it (well, all the "customizers"), how "individualistic" is it?

Then we go and complain about how we are not being seen by other motorists. Other than military- or hunting-style camoflage, flat black is the best way to hide.

.

[oldpara]

Black is a nice neutral color, everything goes with it.
Light black, matte black, gloss black, satin black.
I'm not sure why I picked black for one of my bikes, I just thought it would look good with some dark cherry red accents.
And it is true, it is not a very "safe" color to be riding so I just wear a vivid pink outfit and I'm good

[GateKeeper]

Can you please explain to me what the appeal is of a flat black bike?

I know there is a certain appeal to being "individualistic", but when everybody is doing it (well, all the "customizers"), how "individualistic" is it?

Then we go and complain about how we are not being seen by other motorists. Other than military- or hunting-style camoflage, flat black is the best way to hide.

.

All the BIG Boys are doing a flat black colour.....on their cars

Mercedes, BMW, Lamborghini, etc.....

I know it's not the same and they are cars, but right now it's the in thing...

Ohhh and it's not just flat/matte black, but whites, and a few other choice colours....

.

[Hovmod]

I always really, really wanted a flat black bike, and I can't let that be ruined by "everybody's doing it". Nobody's doing pale pink with neon and pastel orange triangles, but I don't WANT that...

Now that I can basically re-imagine my bike, I end up thinking matte black more than anything, and I was going to ask about stripping rust from and painting pipes, so thanks to the OP.

[82 GS550L Basket Case]

Can you please explain to me what the appeal is of a flat black bike?

I know there is a certain appeal to being "individualistic", but when everybody is doing it (well, all the "customizers"), how "individualistic" is it?

Then we go and complain about how we are not being seen by other motorists. Other than military- or hunting-style camoflage, flat black is the best way to hide.

.

I apologize, the way I put that was misleading. I plan to paint the frame and engine black with splashes of red on the engine. Fenders, gas tank (With a black graphic on it; and still somewhat undecided on the tank), and forks will probably be red, and the rims will have splashes of red as well. I understand that painting it black will be more difficult MAYBE for someone to see me, but i really dont want "that flashy bike." I think red looks the best, and black is a neutral color. I dont want the Engine to be metallic but i also dont want it to be red with a black frame. Therefore the majority of the bike i hope to have it red. Im also talking with my dad and with a local painter about good and bad options. I know almost nothing at all about paint, so I'm taking ALL the opinions I can get. Thanks for your response!

[Spyder]

Closest shot of them I have in Photobucket. Painted these 2 years ago with VHT Flameproof. I just wipe them off now and then with a towel. Holding up very well...