Frame repainting, anyone?

[spiderbaby]

The goofball who owned my KX before me painted the frame purple.. yes, I said purple. Its a sickly purply too. I dont much like purple in any shade let alone a disgusting creamy kind of purple. Anyway I told myself that I wasnt going to go through the hassle of repainting it. Unfortunately I just got some pictures of us riding back from the photolab and saw how much this KX resembles a turd.

Painting is not the issue as I have some experience painting but never a motorcycle frame. I have a paint booth as well and the whole setup but, I what I really want to know is how big of a job is the removal of everything down to the bare frame? Will I need to replace anything? any special tools? anything, anything?

also, what color? Stock? or black? I was even thinking of a silvery gray color.

HELP!

 

[Shift-MX]

I dont think anything will have to be replaced...iv never torn m ybike down that far before though. But when people get there frames repainted they usually get it powder coated.

 

[IrishEKU]

It's not that bad of a job, aside from the time. Tools, I would reccomend an impact driver, 18" Creasent Wrench(for the steering stem), a long drive pin or punch for the Swing Arm/Engine mount bolt and a new bushing set for your rear shock(While you have it apart you might as well replace it). A torque wrench and the appropriate sockets and spec's to put it all back togeather. Heck seince the engine is out why not pull the top end and replace it? As for colors, black, green or silver, also place some clear tape over the area's that your boots wear, it doesn't cost much and if you apply a couple of layers it will last. You could always pay the $ for the frame guards too.

 

[Patman]

It EASY! VERY EASY!! It will help to have a factory shop manual when you go to put things together and to get the proper torque on each fastener. It shouldn't take more than a standard set of tools and possible and impact driver for the swingarm pivot along with a big brass punch and hammer. Just take pictures or have the manual because it's always harder to put things back together. While your at it plan on replacing the seals and possibly bearings in the rear suspension and steering stem since it's apart. Do a good cleaning and greasing at the minimum. Aircraft stripper makes short work of most frame paint which leaves a nice clean surface to prime and paint. Might as well give the frame a good looksee to be sure all the tubes and welds are in good shape too. Personally I like the gray frames.

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

I've done it a couple of times and it's no that bad. In fact the 1st thing I do when I buy a used bike is strip it to the frame and check everything for cracks and stuff. You never can tell what the bimbo that owned it before you put it through so I always feel better checking it out 1st hand. I've had good luck using the PJ1 paint but it does make a mess, powder everywhere.

I would also brease everything real good with waterproof grease and replace all the hard to get to stuff while it's that far apart.

I recommend taking a picture of how the cables are routed before taking it apart, that's always the hardest part for me to get back right.

 

[spiderbaby]

Thanks guys. I just put a top end in a few hours ago so I'm good there. I thought I prolly should replace the steering bearings.

I'm glad there are no special tools needed. Maybe I'll shoot off some pics before/after/during and post them.

I decided on the gray/silver color Patman. :D

 

[TransAm77]

As others said it's not that hard to do. I repainted mine about a year ago, only put on two coats though..so now it's comming off again. So I'm going to repaint it again when I do the top end. This time I'm going to put several coats on, and some clear on top of it. Hopefuly it will last more than 1 year.

Oh I used almost one quart..and that was with must 2 coats (painted frame, bars, and a few other small pieces).

 

[smb_racing]

if you're painting it, and want to go with a nice grey color use the duplicolor high heat aluminum paint. It's a ceramic base (supposedly) and it wears really nice, if I did another frame though I'd prep it better than I did the last one, looks good though. If you'd like a pic of the frame to see what it looks like shoot me an email and I'll send away.

 

[MrLuckey]

If you plan on keeping the bike for more than a year or think it'd help when you sell it - POWDER COAT it and be done with it. About 80-130 bucks usually. You can't even compare paint to it! If you are set on paint then definitely take digi pics as you take it apart, plastic bags with lables for associated parts help too.

 

[tx246]

if you powdercoat, make sure you tape off holes where bolts go through or holes with threads. powdercoat is considerably thicker than paint and will cause all kinds of interference headaches when you put it back together. same thing applies if you paint too but not to the degree. pay attention to bolts that are used for grounding ie coils and motor mount holes.

 

[evenslower]

Just did my CR last winter and will prolly be doing a KTM this winter (yippee!!!!). Powdercoating is the best way to go. I've also used appliance paint and rustoleum professional when a full pcoat wasn't necessary. Good results with both but get frame guards or your boots will wear it off in about 5 rides. Take pics for sure.

 

[whyzee]

What a great opportunity to perform a complete maintenance on your bike, Take pics as you go, should take about 3 hours at most to strip the bike down. Go with powder coating it will last 10 times as long. Order new steering head bearings, swing arm bearings, wheel axle seals, chain rollers, guide & slide, Add new plastics and you're riding a NEW bike. Good luck, if you have questions along the way, feel free to ask.