Amazing what a little paint can do.

[Craiger]

I know I posted these pics in the "Post a picture of your bike" thread, but thought it would be nice to see the difference the paint has made with a couple comparison pics.

I finally got around to sandblasting and painting my exhaust and headers about a week and a half ago. They were pretty rusty when I bought the bike last fall and had plans to recoat them....and man am I glad I ever did. I used a high temp (1200 degree) semi-gloss and very happy with the results. I like how they tie in the with frame, now. I didn't realize just how much difference was made 'til my Dad took it for a test spin. It looks really good coming down the road, now.

My Dad sandblasted them for me at his work, then I hit them with about 12 - 14 coats of paint....starting out very thin and building from there. There was pitting in the pipes from the rust, but you can only see it now when you get to within a few feet of them.

Next appearance mod is a sport fairing.

Previous owner picture.


A little cleanup and painted headers/exhaust.


A little better view of the headers.

[Steven Conlan]

Nice job - really makes the whole bike look crisper.

Kinda like when you see a guy in a nice suite - dirty shoes.

[Craiger]

I agree wholeheartedly...and thanks.

[bonanzadave]

I was gonna say something when I first saw it but didnt want to offend.

Now I can say. That looks T!TS !! (do people still say that ?)

[TheCafeKid]

I was gonna say something when I first saw it but didnt want to offend.

Now I can say. That looks T!TS !! (do people still say that ?)

I do, and it DOES. I would also say that it looks the cat's ass. :-D

[Craiger]

Funny....I knew they were an eyesore, but appreciated having the bike as it's the one I've wanted for several years...and wanted to show it off. Still amazed that I got this beauty for the price I did. Just glad the guy didn't call the cops....'cuz I stole it. LOL!

[emjay]

I like it! :-D Maybe I'll do my ugly Katana headers like that.

...That looks T!TS !! (do people still say that ?)

Nah, now thay say it's the sh!t and that's a good thing! :?

[Craiger]

I higly recommend it, emjay. It's Rustoleum High Temp paint. I got it at Wal-Mart for around $6 a can for semi-gloss. I think the flat black was a little cheaper, but I'm not too keen with the flat.

[thewiz]

Looks Great! Just don't worry when they discolor a little bit once you've ridden a while. Looks like you have to drop the pipes to do an oil change so you can touch up then. The bike looks great. Always like to see a great bike fall into the hands of someone that really cares about it.

[Craiger]

Thanks, thewiz. I'll be sure to remember that.

Dropping the headers for an oil change....yeah, that's the unfortunate thing with this bike, but an inconvenience I'll gladly accept.

[Switchman]

That V&H turned out really sweet. I also used the Rustoleum for a lot of years on my Supertrapp. Both the black and the white tend to burn in. The white looks great for about 3500mi or until some real hard high rpm riding, then it greys.
I just took my pipe to a guy here in the San Francisco area that does ceramic coating on headers. If you end up unsatisfied with the paint consider going that way. He charges $165 for 4into1 and I think he said $185 for 4-2-1. My header was also pitted pretty good too but bead blasting took 50% of that off and this guy says the ceramic really covers well. We'll see. I'll post a pic when it comes back in a week or two.

[Craiger]

Switchman,

I've certainly considered that. I just wanted something that could be done relatively quick and inexpensively. I figure I'll be crossing that bridge at some point in time.

[Switchman]

You know...looking at those very nice pics of your bike...there are times I miss that pretty red.
As an aside...if you are riding your bike alot...you really ought to spring the bucks and get a Corbin seat. You will be amazed at the difference...and if you carry passengers they will forever love you...no more sliding into you.
I've had a Corbin on this GS since '84 when I met Mike Corbin over at Laguna Seca and he sold me on the seat. 140,000 miles on the seat now...recovered it a couple times...but the foam is still perfect. Anyway...your butt will appreciate it, and passengers even more..

[Craiger]

Switchman,

Care to PM me the details and where to possibly get one? Being one that needs to make things as comfortable as possible (two back surgeries and suffering from osteoarthritis), I'd love to look into it. Perhaps a closeup pic, too....just for curiosity's sake.

Thanks dude!!!

[thewiz]

Ah the ol' Corbin Gunslinger!



I'm skinny with no a$$ and it gets pretty hard after a short while. But that's me.

BTW They are also a big pain to put back on. If not just right, knocks the side covers off because it is not hinged, slides on.