After doing some searching and reading on here about using the paint stripper how-to's and tips on polishing the wheels, I think that is my next project for the SH (after my APE CCT install and all fluid flush next weekend).

I've seen a members wheels he polished and pin-stripped his SH but I think they were CBR or RC wheels (not sure?). I liked what he had done as it's a little different than just a polish or chrome plate. Adds a little detail and color to the wheel IMO.

So, this is the scheme I think I'm going to do with mine in the next weekend or so. I plan to use some of that rflective red wheel pin stripe tape you can get at CG or Autozone.

What do you guys think of them scheme? I think it would look even better if I could do a gray and red dual stripe but I then think it might be too much give the small space up front.

Anyways, here is a quick photoshop I did of the bike with the scheme. comments, tips, or suggestions welcomed!...

 

Looks good

 

Should look good. I would use the mothers powerball and polish with a good drill for your final step on the rim.

 

You probably already read this but make sure you keep them clean. I left my bike in a car port under a cover for 2 months over the winter and it was damn near impossible to get the oxidation off the raw aluminum.

 

I've never used the powerball and have always wondered if it really worked well. Thanks for the tip. Your bike looks great!

Yeah I've had polished wheels in the past so I'm aware of the upkeep . When I had my other bike I usually just gave them a quick polish with some Semichrome 15 miinute per each wheel and tried not to use much, if any concentrate soap wash as it would dull them out a good bit faster than just using clean water. I've always wanted a clear coat after a good polish but just never went that far into it. Wouldn't be a bad idea I suppose but it's not too big of a chore to me keeping them polished. This will be my first time attempting it on my own. The last bikes already had them polished from previous owners.

 

I've done 2 sets.... here's my recommendation/way of doing them....

1. Take the tires off the rims.... you'll never get them nice without removing the tires.
2. Use aircraft stripper, or paint stripper to remove the paint... if your plan on painting them like I did, no need to mask and worry about being careful removing the paint.
3. Lightly sand the tool marks off the outer rim edge. I used 320 grit (wet) then worked my way up to 800 grit...
4. After you've sanded to 800.... I used a (for lack of a better term) "Scrub pad" that they sell and attaches to a dremel tool. You'll go through 6-8 of them, but it will get the rims looking pretty good.
5. Then use a buffing wheel with white rouge to polish them up... they wil look great at this point. I used a buffing wheel attached to my bench grinder.
6. I then masked off the polished part, and painted the rim a nice charcoal grey.
7. Unmask, and apply the rim tape... I used the reflective red as well. (The VTR 3 spokes are 1/8" tape... the 6 spokes are 3/16"... I like the thicker a bit better, it didn't stretch or crack as much as the 1/8".
8. Remount the tires, and bolt them up.

It took me a solid 2 days (6-8 hours each day) to do a set from start to finish.... maybe a bit less the second time because I learned alot the first time.

Here are some pics of the sets I've done.... the 6 spokes are my current setup (CBR 900 rear and RC51 front.) I still have the VTR ones boxed up... might sell them eventually when I get off my lazy ***.

J.

 

It was your wheels that gave me the idea!

Yeah I think taking the tires would just be a better idea than having to reapply tape and would allow me to focus on the wheel completely while its off the bike and away from anything else.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and tips. Your wheels look great!

 

Thanks.... I like this color scheme with just polishing the edges up to the round. Adds a little "bling" without being over the top about it, or too flashy.

Yeah... I only did my first set because I trashed my rims on a pot hole, so when I got the replacements without the tires, it was a no-brainer. It's much easier to work on them, plus you can get to the edges easily that you cant get to with the tires on.

If you have any questions along the way, LMK... like I've said, I've done it twice... the second time came out much cleaner, and took less time... as most things do!!!

J.

 

Thanks J and I'll keep you in mind when I tackle this project.

 

When you do the wheels you need to coat the header and mid pipes and lose the chin fairing. I like the Superhawk naked and raw up front because that's the package. My wheels are next. I did the header and mids last year - the wheels are next. Like you guys are doing - polished lip and wet-look centers in black.

 

nuhawk, did you do the copper gasket coating trick to your header and mid pipes? Hard to tell from the pic what the finish is like.

Doesn't look bad without the chin fairing either. I may take it off to see how it would look once I polish them.

 

The Jet-Hot coating on the header and mids is called Super Sterling (or something like that). I've been generally pleased with their product and turn-around time. Prices are reasonable. I like the look of Capt Chaos' polish jobs but without a clear coat they are fast to go away.

 

Yeah Doug I once mirror polished the damn header and was all puffing my chest & proud of myself until I started the bike and in about two minutes it turned dark gold HAHA! It looks really nice shiny gold but like anything you polish it's constant upkeep. The jet hot coating is pretty much zero maintanance.

 

Nemish bitches at me about my color thing but it's real. There are too many colors on the bike. When you have some tubes gold, some tubes polished aluminum and some tubes ceramic coated - I go over the top. Coating the header and the mids was a close approximation of the cans. For me it makes the whole exhaust system look like what it is. A system - a unit. Not individual pieces.

 

Digging up an oldie here to contribute my experience. The pics in this thread helped me decide to do it (thanks for keeping them up SlowHAWK). I though I'd post here to help someone like me who uses the search. This topic has been covered too many times to start a new thread.

All masked up ready to go.


Tested stripper to see if it would dissolve the tape.


And sure enough it did. So another layer of tape (3).


I've used it before so nuthin new for me. Less than 1-2 minutes and the paint/coating is.



First wipe off.


After a good rinse with water.


Even a tight mask job w/ 3 layers didn't produce a nice line.




That ain't gonna fly. So I started w/ 800 wet and finished up w/ 1000. Which left a cleaner edge.


Much better


The vertical part was only stripped. Yes you can see grooves or tool marks, but I was fine w/ the way it looked as is. Just a quick polish w/ Mothers


Then bring it outside to clean off the crap and BAM!



This shot was to show one of my motorcycle shop souvenirs. I cleaned it up a little. Also shows the tool marks.

And the money shot


I'm done (the back will wait till I wear out a tire or swap to 900rr 6 spoker). Now to buy some tire irons and mount my own tires.

 

Looks sweet, next time use batter masking tape. I use the green frog tape, none better, will leave a nice sharp edge. Most people wait too long to wash off the paint/stripper. It only takes 2 or 3 minutes max before you need to wash it off.

 

Get you some of these if you are going to spoon on with tire irons. Also this wheel balancer works really well for the price.

Motorcycle tools from K and G Cycles!

Motorcycle Wheel Balancer w/ Stand