Author Topic: Powder coating a FZS600 2002 swingarm.... (Read 9412 times)

HaVoC · « **on:** 07 April 2014, 12:32:04 am »

Hey guys, I'm just looking a bit of advice on whether or not its possible to powder coat the swing arm on a fzs 600 (due to all the moving parts), would love to do it as my current swing arm is in a bit of a sorry state!
Really appreciate any help you guys can give

Chris · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 April 2014, 04:27:46 am »

Yeah, it's fine to have it powder coated. For the inserts where the bearings go then you might need to give them a little rub with some fine grit sand paper to make sure the bearings aren't too tight. I had to do that after my wheels were powder coated as they didn't tape off or bung the holes so the primer they used made the bearings too tight to go in.

I've been thinking about having my swing arm powder coated black but it'll have to wait for now.

Get some pics up if you do it though. What colour would you go for?

Chris

darrsi · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 April 2014, 06:35:54 am »

Are they not left bare metal because of the constant abuse by chain oil/lube?

HaVoC · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 April 2014, 07:36:47 am »

Good to know! I'd be interested if someone even had a wee photo to see what it looks like after its done, definitely go for black, as the bike is blue, hopefully give it a bit of a stealthy look :-D

HaVoC · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 April 2014, 01:02:36 pm »

What material are you referring to, the aluminium itself? If so to what extent would it degrade at?

papercutout · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 April 2014, 04:30:40 pm »

I think he's referring to the heat of powdercoating weakens aluminium.

IMO, that's a total crock - I've heard a bit about it recently, but powdercoating doesn't require THAT much heat that it should compromise the structural integrity of said aluminium item.

Here's a pic of a bike with a black swingarm:

Chris · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 April 2014, 05:20:28 pm »

That looks very nice!

I painted the forks black and that made a huge difference to how smart the bike looked so I think a black swing arm would really finish it off nicely.

Chris

HaVoC · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 April 2014, 07:19:05 pm »

That is one badass looking bike, I might even look into doing the forks too now! I'm sure the temps aren't that great that they would split a heavy aluminium swing arm, do you not think the guy's alloy wheel may have had a defect prior to being done? Genuinely interested though as the last thing I want to do is end up scrapping a swing arm and pair of forks

papercutout · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 April 2014, 07:58:35 pm »

1 case in the thousands and thousands of people who have aluminium items powdercoated every year isn't exactly a dangerous ratio is it? Seems likely there was a defect, or it's an odd company.

HaVoC · « **Reply #9 on:** 07 April 2014, 08:02:14 pm »

I think/hope your right man! Though I suppose the cost of a swing arm (£30) isn't going to break the bank. Which leads me onto my next question, anybody know any reputable merchants who do powder coating in Northern Ireland?

papercutout · « **Reply #10 on:** 08 April 2014, 04:25:53 pm »

Oh, and I agree about the bike. I really want to do the tail on my bike like it, but slightly longer so it can take a passenger.

carlos · « **Reply #11 on:** 09 April 2014, 05:34:09 pm »

Quote from: Chris on 07 April 2014, 05:20:28 pm

That looks very nice!

I painted the forks black and that made a huge difference to how smart the bike looked so I think a black swing arm would really finish it off nicely.

Chris

how did yo paint the fork legs is did you do it yourself they look neat

johna6968 · « **Reply #12 on:** 09 April 2014, 06:11:16 pm »

Would have loved to have painted/powder coated lots silver items black on several bikes.. Its just the fact that every chip n knock would stand out like a sore thumb, particularly round swing arms and fork legs.. No doubtin it looks good for a while tho

Chris · « **Reply #13 on:** 09 April 2014, 06:32:09 pm »

Quote from: carlos on 09 April 2014, 05:34:09 pm

Quote from: Chris on 07 April 2014, 05:20:28 pm
That looks very nice!

I painted the forks black and that made a huge difference to how smart the bike looked so I think a black swing arm would really finish it off nicely.

Chris

how did yo paint the fork legs is did you do it yourself they look neat

I removed them from the bike, sanded them down, taped them up and then hung them upside down from the garage roof with some wire. I then rattle canned them with primer and then black gloss paint. Did quite a lot of thin layers to try and stop them from chipping too badly, couple of stone chips but they're lasting well, stone chips just touched in with black paint and a fine brush.

Chris

HaVoC · « **Reply #14 on:** 09 April 2014, 06:43:07 pm »

It is a really tidy job you did! It is a bit of a worry about the stone chips, do you think powder coating be harder wearing than spraying with lots of thin coats or should I save a bit of cash and attempt it myself?

carlos · « **Reply #15 on:** 09 April 2014, 06:49:02 pm »

I like that look is it a special alloy paint?? would hammerite work??

papercutout · « **Reply #16 on:** 09 April 2014, 07:29:34 pm »

Powdercoating will give a much tougher finish, but if you get a stone chip, it's harder to blend. With rattle canned paint, you just clean the area, and give it another spray. (if you're doing matt, not gloss of course.)

johna6968 · « **Reply #17 on:** 09 April 2014, 07:36:27 pm »

I have covered my lower fork legs with clear gloss adhesive vinyl as they came my way unmarked.. May be an option to prevent the inevitable marks they all get after time..

Chris · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 April 2014, 09:11:04 am »

Quote from: johna6968 on 09 April 2014, 07:36:27 pm

I have covered my lower fork legs with clear gloss adhesive vinyl as they came my way unmarked.. May be an option to prevent the inevitable marks they all get after time..

I was going to do that to protect mine but just wanted to get out on it when I got the forks back on... in hindsight I would do that before putting them back on the bike. Powder coating would be tougher but would still chip with stones hitting it so really not as easy to look after.

Chris

HaVoC · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 April 2014, 06:04:43 pm »

How did the guy modify the rear seat, look nice, gives it sort of a Ducati line...

HaVoC · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 April 2014, 10:31:27 pm »

Also, you say you used rattle can paint, did you go for matt black or is that a satin finish you've used? Was it easy enough to do, and how was it to get everything rebuilt/fitting? Sorry for the barrage of questions but I'm now seriously considering doing it myself as it would be easier to touch up then (I use my bike every day all year round...)!

Chris · « **Reply #21 on:** 11 April 2014, 08:15:17 am »

Just to clarify, the street fighter above isn't my bike. It went back together the same way as it came apart, as all I did was drop the forks out the yokes and then put them in again after I'd painted them. Mine are gloss black pictured below.

Much nicer than the original silver which had gone very flakey and corroded.

johna6968 · « **Reply #22 on:** 11 April 2014, 08:49:45 am »

That is one good looking Foxeye you have there Chris

griff86 · « **Reply #23 on:** 11 April 2014, 10:08:36 am »

I had my wheels, swing arm and forks powder coated satin black by Triple S in Bingley.

Chris · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 April 2014, 11:50:42 am »

Thanks mate, that means a lot coming from you!

I've put quite a lot of time into it but I love it. Still got more to do too, renthal black bars, hel braided brake lines for the front, Armstrong wavey discs to fit to the front, engine will need a paint sometime... want to get my swingarm black too... the list never ends. haha.

The two pics with me sitting on the bike really show how much cleaner it looks with the clear indicator lenses too.

Chris