OK. Black or Silver

[Sandy]

I'm finally going to do the old twin disk conversion using stock parts this winter. Not doing the Salty Monk thing, just stock 'cause that's what's on the shelf. The fork legs I have were a little scraped up, nothing serious but the JB weld I used to fill the scratches is much darker then the original aluminum colour so I can't just clear coat them, they will have to be painted. Opinions on silver like I painted the head and barrels (VHT caliper aluminum) or satin black. If I go black I'll also have to paint the fender bracket, not a big deal. I'm thinking black might balance out the appearance a bit. What you say?

 

[Darkspeed]

I'd powder coat in the same black as the frame and swing arm if they were too far gone to polish and clear.

 

[bonanzadave]

Cant go wrong with either color. Both will accent an already stunning looking Bike. I like the thought on black and appearance balance but I would go gloss like the fender.

 

[Vmass]

Silver............I think it looks best when the forks match the engine.

 

[hampshirehog]

With your front mudguard I'd go with black.

 

[Guest]

Black. Definitely black. That or get another set of fork lowers that are in better shape and polish away.

 

[jsandidge]

Normally, I'd say silver. But I think gloss black would be stunning on that bike.

 

[loud et]

I also feel gloss black will balance the overall look out. Imho.
Great looking bike.

 

[growler]

+1 on the black. And holy crap, your bike is gorgeous!

 

[Steve]

I chose black for my bike because there is a LOT of black there, as I also painted the engine.
I went with a "black with shiny accents" theme and continued that on the forks.

I think your bike would look good either way. I think that black forks would move the focal point to the silver engine.

.

 

[BigD_83]

I don't think silver moves the focal point to the forks, and I really like the way it keeps the balance. To me, black would create a bit of a "hole" in the front end, but they are like choice 1a and 1b in that either will work.

 

[Sandy]

Thanks for the compliments on the bike and the input. I photoshopped the 1st. photo and added the picture below the one in the first post. The black will be glossier than it looks, more like the frame and the other black chassis coloured pieces, but it gives an idea of what it will look like. Still not sure which way I want to go. What I'll probably do is paint and bake the calipers because I'm rebuilding them anyway and if I like the shade I'll do the fork legs, fender mount and fork brace. If not the silver looks good too.
EDIT. I found a cool PS filter that let me punch up the gloss in the black so I changed the photo.

 

[Crankthat]

Stupid tablet...........
As I tried to post the last two times.
Whatever you decide, like Dave typed it is a stunner.
October bike of the month is a beauty also by the way.
Very jealous!

 

[Charlie G]

I like the silver and I can't rationalize why I choose it over black.

 

[Steve]

Thanks for the compliments on the bike and the input. I photoshopped the 1st. photo and added the picture below the one in the first post.

I like both of them, but I think the silver ones give it a bit more visual balance.

If nothing else, they complement the silver shocks at the other end of the bike. :-k

.

 

[SVSooke]

I prefer the silver to,looks better to me.Painting the fender mount black would be a good idea IMO.

 

[Sandy]

Well thanks guys. It looks like about 2:1 for black but you have to understand this is is not a democracy.LOL. I'm think I'm going to stick to silver for now. Reason being if you haven't guessed all ready is that I'm sort of a stickler for originality and that would keep it the closest to stock appearance. Also serviceability, with silver paint over the aluminum any chips and nicks that usually happen to the fork tubes won't be nearly as visible. Not to say black is not for the future because would look really good with a nice pair black pair of Progressive 412 shocks on the back.

 

[hampshirehog]

Well thanks guys. It looks like about 2:1 for black but you have to understand this is is not a democracy.LOL.

If you'd told us that at the beginning I'd have voted for yellow....

A couple of suggestions: if you do go with silver you might get a closer to original finish if you add a clear coat to finish. Plus how deep is the rash on the bottoms? You can sand the legs pretty deeply - I've had to on bikes in the past- and buff up

 

[Sandy]

If you'd told us that at the beginning I'd have voted for yellow....

A couple of suggestions: if you do go with silver you might get a closer to original finish if you add a clear coat to finish. Plus how deep is the rash on the bottoms? You can sand the legs pretty deeply - I've had to on bikes in the past- and buff up

Ah yes, to match the plug wires. The gouges on one are quite deep. It looks like the bike, which was a parts bike, was transported either leaning or lying on something and wore a fairly good size groove in it. Nothing that would compromise it's structural integrity but deeper than I would want sand or grind down to. And yes I do plan to clear coat when done.