Painting a GS 1000 L tank and side covers.. lotsa pics

[exdirtbiker]

As I bought it.. note the bondo under the SUZUKI tags on the tank.

I stripped the tank...

Yes, that's a Home Depot outlet plate... best paint scraper EVER !!!!!
And they have 2 handy finger holes !!!
Then used a 6" sanding disc on a 18V drill with pad of Red Scotchbrite...

Primed it after I used Bondo and Bondo Pro glaze/scratch filler... ( sorry, no pick of that stage)

Then DupliColor SIlver Metallic BFM0226

Then DupliColor Inferno Red Metallic BCC0412, then Clear Coat

SO... the ??? is,
should I
(A) stick with the "10 footer" red paint job I have done so far,
or...
(B) go to Silver ( paint seems to be better quality, from my stupid hands)...
or...
(C) shoud I hit the re-set button and use my nieghbors air compressor/spray gun and start from "zero" and choose any color in the world ??? ( after I learn how to use a spray gun )
I have to admit, I kinda like the Red bike / Black fairing look. It's going on a 1979 GS 1000 L with a Black Windjammer SS fairing.

 

[Flyboy]

There is no question, you have to ride it and live with it, if you like the red, then go with the red, simple.
I like the red as well.

 

[ikantbreave]

Heck, keep em the way they are! Silver tank, red side covers and maybe red and silver tailpiece. You definitely seem to have done the prep work to make it work right. I hope YOU like the finished product cuz that is all that matters.

 

[exdirtbiker]

Thanks. not bad for a rattlecan, huh ?.
The whole rest of bike is a "10 footer" at this point.
I was trying to find a color that would look "respectable" without being too flashy...
I think the red may be bright enough to make you notice how junky the rest of the bike looks. The red side covers have more than a few 1/8" dots, thanks to some splattering as the can was running low, although they didn't show in the pics. again, it's a 10-footer.
And the front and rear fenders are/were chrome, not painted. But.. thinking of painting the front fender to match tank.... that may wait until next year.
Now I'm thinkin' I may just spray the tank red tonight and put the bike back together.
And do this all over again next year, when I have more time/money.

 

[exdirtbiker]

Can anyone tell me what size the tiny tank badge screws are?
p/n 02122-0306B
the rt side of the tank was so dented that now the treaded hole is 1/4" deeper than it should be... so I'm going to need a longer screw.

 

[Rover]

That screw could be a problem..perhaps glue the emblem on.
If you are going to repaint in the future you can repair the marks you will make getting the emblem off as you need to prep the tank again.
Just don't glue it on so it can't easily be taken off.

 

[exdirtbiker]

That screw could be a problem...

I hope it's not really a problem, I was just being too lazy to measure / can't measure it while at work, and wanted to stop at store and buy some on way home. There's a small local hardware store that is holding up against the Big Box stores by carrying wacky little stuff like that... they always have the funky bolts I need.
... usually for a "ouch" price...

 

[tkent02]

I hope it's not really a problem, I was just being too lazy to measure / can't measure it while at work, and wanted to stop at store and buy some on way home. There's a small local hardware store that is holding up against the Big Box stores by carrying wacky little stuff like that... they always have the funky bolts I need.
... usually for a "ouch" price...

Make sure the screws are short enough, if not they will punch through and cause a lek very easily.

 

[Guest]

Ditch the emblem and go with some high end decals and clear coat them?

 

[OLDENUFF]

Those screws are still available from Suzuki. Part # 02122-0306B

 

[cowboyup3371]

I picked those screws up at Ace Hardware in the Allen head style; the sizing is in the original part number.

 

[Steve]

Can anyone tell me what size the tiny tank badge screws are?
p/n 02122-0306B

the sizing is in the original part number.

Yep, sure is. see the -0306 in the part number? That means they are 3mm diameter, 6mm long.

.

 

[Redneck]

+1 to Cowboys post that is where I got mine. ACE is the place.

 

[exdirtbiker]

Yep, sure is. see the -0306 in the part number? That means they are 3mm diameter, 6mm long.

.

Thanks ! I didn't know that.

Speaking of part #'s, I LOVE the powersportspro.com website for a referrance tool...
look up your part, { left side of page} get the p/n, then back up and search for that p/n # { rt side of page} ... it shows you every bike that part was used on.. I got my GS1000L rear disc for $5 'cuz it was listed as a GT380 front disc.... Same part.
EDIT: they changed their website, they don't let your see "where used" anymore. *^%$#$#% !@!!!!

 

[MisterCinders]

Yes, this info from BassCliff's site deciphers the bolt sizes for Suzuki part nos.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/storagecliff/images/engine_odds-n-ends.html#A09

One of the many useful tools our GS hero provides.

 

[exdirtbiker]

More progress... I think I'ld call it "respectable"... but far from perfect.
As I feared, now it's really obvious the rest of the bike needs to get more attention. It remains "a ten footer".
Overall, I'm pretty happy, since this was my first-ever painting adventure.

-- I have not yet used wax or scratch n swirl remover --

My supervisor keeping from slackin' ...

 

[exdirtbiker]

After wax w/ Meguiar's NXT

I knew I shoulda fixed that...

Everything I needed for this. plus elbow grease and time.

 

[exdirtbiker]

Yep, sure is. see the -0306 in the part number? That means they are 3mm diameter, 6mm long.

.

2 of them are rusted, barely functional.
other 2 are wood screws !!! GAAHHH !!!

 

[almarconi]

How resistant to gasoline is that duplicolor clear? I've used their clear engine paint and it did not hold up to gas very well.

 

[exdirtbiker]

How resistant to gasoline is that duplicolor clear? I've used their clear engine paint and it did not hold up to gas very well.

Actually.... I have no idea.
Alot of people told me ANY laquer should "be fine". This stuff is acrylic laquer.
I will be sure I keep a "slop rag" in the Vetter to wipe away any drips when I fill the tank, and hope it holds up.

If not, I'll wait until next year and do it again with a spray gun and -real- paint.