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Best/Cheapest Source for Cooley Graphics ??

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    Best/Cheapest Source for Cooley Graphics ??

    As many of you know Chuck H is working on restoring a basket case Cooley and we are approaching the expensive painting phase of the project.

    I am wondering if anyone knows a way to save money on the expensive decal sets?
    82 gs1100e FAUX Skunk
    80 gs1000s

    #2
    Basically, we were mulling over a more cost effective source other than Diablo ( formerly Reproduction Decals ) price. As i mentioned to Greg, graphics places can probably make them..but at what cost?

    The plus side of the kit is that the pinstripes come die cut and preshaped for places like around the fairing..and they include all the tank and side cover lettering in one neat package.

    We are looking for as many places that have the kits and thier pricing. Need to decide a plan of action so we can get them in the painters hands.
    MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
    1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

    NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


    I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

    Comment


      #3
      Time is money. If your painter can apply all the decals correctly, and w/o wrinkling them, then go for it. They make it easier to determine the dimensions of the stripes, too..especially the gas tank..which is the most difficult part to say the least. I just never liked the seams and the fact that they're pretty thick..which is why I painted them, but there's something to be said about the decals making it easier in the long run. You'd have to, I assume, paint the parts white, apply the black and white decal stripes, cover them with a bit of clear, then spray the blue in between them and clear again. You don't want to put masking tape directly on those freshly applied decals or you chance pulling them off when you remove the tape.
      1979 GS1000S,

      1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

      Comment


        #4
        Paint the white, tape off and paint the blue then add black 3M tape stripe and clear the whole shebang?

        De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

        http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

        Comment


          #5
          Thats been my arguement as far as just getting the kit..

          Proper stripe width.
          Already die cut for the curves around the fairing...laying nice without glumpy chitty looking curves.
          Ease of application...usually.
          Right colors.
          The original bike were decals and are SUPPOSED to be felt thru the clear. Its my belief that thats the way it should be done.
          Either way trying to skimp and save 20 or 30 buck is gonna backfire and cost more in the end run.
          Last edited by chuck hahn; 12-09-2013, 04:10 PM.
          MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
          1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

          NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


          I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

          Comment


            #6
            Dale, the stripe around the fairing is actually a black and white combo deal. Me and Aaron just went over my bike with a fine tooth comb yesterday for him to see whats what as an example.
            MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
            1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

            NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


            I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

            Comment


              #7
              The Reproduction Decal kit is high quality, and worth the money in my opinion. The tape stripes go down on top of your own paint mask lines and give you an opportunity to correct any minor misalignment or bleed through spots that may show up. The graphics themselves are sort of fiddly, and there is a learning curve associated with dealing with them, but overall they are a real timesaver.

              One warning is that the white color is pretty bright so you either need to color match your paint against that, or live with a mismatch. In talking to the owner at RD about the color, they claim to have matched against a NOS set of Suzuki decals someone provided. The white paint on both 1000S's I've restored was quite a bit more yellow, which I think was in large part do to yellowing clear, but I'm not sure if that explains the full story.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by rustybronco View Post
                Paint the white, tape off and paint the blue then add black 3M tape stripe and clear the whole shebang?
                My only concern with that approach would be that if you don't lay the blue out correctly, you can't really manipulate the decal stripes much to fit the blue. Those decals only go on one way and if you try to make them fit, because they are so thick, they'll fold and wrinkle. Another reason I didn't use them was because the white on the decal stripes (as mentioned above) is more true white then the color of the bike which is more of an off-white. I saw that on every one that I did. It's subtle, but they're different. Most people wouldn't even notice that or the seams, or the thickness. If you're going for an "authentic" restoration, the decals are the way to go, even with the flaws . I just always wanted it to look factory correct, but with a custom show finish.
                1979 GS1000S,

                1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

                Comment


                  #9
                  Gregs intention is to sell it at some point ..but its gonna be so nice he may just want to keep it a while. In any case, and its, just me, I dont like cutting corners on the cosmetics. Im a "its right or its not" kinda guy when it comes to bikes and repairing them...but then again thats just my way of doing things.
                  MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                  1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                  NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                  I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by nvr2old View Post
                    My only concern with that approach would be that if you don't lay the blue out correctly, you can't really manipulate the decal stripes much to fit the blue.
                    That is the issue, laying out the blue properly and will the painter want to take the time to do it properly. At least Chuck has a nice a specimen to go by.
                    De-stinking Penelope http://thegsresources.com/_forum/sho...d.php?t=179245

                    http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...35#post1625535

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Ive never used Aaron before but I did see his 450 he painted and he has gone to school for body and paint work. I am working on his bike doing all the brakes, calipers, and repaired a broke float post..and doing his valves for him. the bike is on my lift right now.

                      His 450 is gun metal gray and its a real nice job. So as far as the painting and getting it right, I am not worried about it at all. Pinsriping freehand versus die cut is a whole world of difference though.

                      Revelation is his screen name here on the fourm. Add is in the services section. Heck of a nice guy too.
                      MY BIKES..1977 GS 750 B, 1978 GS 1000 C (X2)
                      1978 GS 1000 E, 1979 GS 1000 S, 1973 Yamaha TX 750, 1977 Kawasaki KZ 650B1, 1975 Honda GL1000 Goldwing, 1983 CB 650SC Nighthawk, 1972 Honda CB 350K4, 74 Honda CB550

                      NEVER SNEAK UP ON A SLEEPING DOG..NOT EVEN YOUR OWN.


                      I would rather trust my bike to a "QUACK" that KNOWS how to fix it rather than a book worm that THINKS HE KNOWS how to fix it.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Is there a project thread for this Cooley?

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Vmass View Post
                          Is there a project thread for this Cooley?

                          Yep right here:

                          Are you doing a restoration project of some kind on a GS? Let everyone see what you are doing by posting the details here.


                          BTW all : I ended up ordering the graphics from a guy in the UK $126.00 shipped to my door.

                          82 gs1100e FAUX Skunk
                          80 gs1000s

                          Comment


                            #14
                            I have a set of Reproduction Decals for the "S" I probably will not need for a while and rather than let them go bad, I could sell them at a discount.

                            What's your budget, I have the full set.
                            2018 Honda Africa Twin AS
                            2013 DR 650 Grey, sold 1981 GS 650E Silver,

                            1980 GS1000ST Blue & White, X2

                            2012 DL650 Vstrom Foxy Orange, in storage
                            1981 CT110 X2 "Postie Bikes" Gone to a New Home.
                            2002 BMW 1150 GS Blue & White - Sold
                            1975 BMW R90/6 Black - Sold 1984 GS1150EF Sold
                            1982 BMW R100 Africa trip, Stolen - Recovered- Sold
                            1977-1980 Suzuki GS550, GS1000E, GS1000S GSX750, GSX1100,s
                            Hondas ST90, CR125 CB175 , CB350 CB750, NSU Quickly, Yamaha RD's 350/400,

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Kiwi Canuck View Post
                              I have a set of Reproduction Decals for the "S" I probably will not need for a while and rather than let them go bad, I could sell them at a discount.

                              What's your budget, I have the full set.
                              Much appreciated, but I already ordered some from this guy for 73 pounds or $126 American dollars

                              82 gs1100e FAUX Skunk
                              80 gs1000s

                              Comment

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