Help me choose an engine paint scheme for my cafe project!

[D-Mac]

Hi all,

I've been working on a cafe project for the past 4 months ('81 Suzuki GS550) and I'm currently painting the engine (for more info on my build you can check out my cafe build thread in the Region 4 sub-forum). Anyway, I found pics of the exact two engine paint/polish schemes I'm considering. My frame/seat/tank don't resemble those in the pics, so just look at the engine and side cases. The bike will have a black tank and seat cowling with gold striping. The forks and carbs are polished aluminum and the wheels are polished with a black in-lay. The exhaust will be chrome (similar to the pipes shown in both of these pics).

Please vote for your engine paint option! Comments appreciated too.

Option 1: SILVER/BLACK paint + polish (my black paint is not this shiny, but otherwise it would be identical to this engine)



Option 2: BLACK paint + polish (this engine is basically identical to mine although the bike frame/tank/seat are totally different).

[veefer800canuck]

Option 1

It's more balanced.

[miles]

I agree with the Canajian.  Silver for the head, black for the cylinders and case.

[Breadman]

  I don't care much for the silver/black combo look.

Option #2!

[Papa Lazarou]

Sorry, that Japanese bike will not make a Cafe Racer. Tis not British or Yurpeen and tis too young.


Get a Triumph engine and a featherbed frame.

[D-Mac]

Sorry, that Japanese bike will not make a Cafe Racer. Tis not British or Yurpeen and tis too young.


Get a Triumph engine and a featherbed frame.

If you're buying, count me in!

My goal isn't to build a cafe racer, but work on a fun project bike VERY loosely inspired by one (learning as I go along and improving my skills at welding, fabrication, and design). The bike was cheap ($100), so that's what I decided to start with. I don't want to brutalize an old Norton by learning on one as I chop it to bits.

[D-Mac]

Damn. The results are far too close.    In my "poll" of family and friends, it's 5-1 for Option 1.

Keep those votes coming..... I don't start painting again until Friday.

[Frankienuckles]

Another vote for "option one".

[JReazor]

Option 2. Especially with the black and gold paint.

[Papa Lazarou]

If you're buying, count me in!

My goal isn't to build a cafe racer, but work on a fun project bike VERY loosely inspired by one (learning as I go along and improving my skills at welding, fabrication, and design). The bike was cheap ($100), so that's what I decided to start with. I don't want to brutalize an old Norton by learning on one as I chop it to bits.

Fair point. I forget Brit spares aren't as plentiful in the States as over here.

Chrome tank and panels. Black stripe down the middle of the tank.

[Mr.Black]

2

[Capirex]

deuce

[Papa Lazarou]

2

[D-Mac]

Fair point. I forget Brit spares aren't as plentiful in the States as over here.

Chrome tank and panels. Black stripe down the middle of the tank.

Yup. I'm planning a Norton or Triumph restoration for my next project. I must be a sucker for punishment because I love old Brit bikes.

[HipGnosis]

My preference/vote is flat or satin black (it looks very nice with chrome bits and/or stainless bolts).

A guy I knew yrs ago did his head in gun-blue - he found/used a DIY kit.  It looked ok (very dark blue).

[JReazor]

A guy I knew yrs ago did his head in gun-blue - he found/used a DIY kit.  It looked ok (very dark blue).

That would look great with a white or silver tank and fenders.

[D-Mac]

For what it's worth, I showed the photos to a few guys in my motorcycle service tech program today. One voted "black" and the other two, who've built (real) cafe bikes, both preferred "silver/black."

Their rationale for silver/black? It looks more "custom" and forms a nice loop from the polished carbs through the chrome pipes.

[JReazor]

I don't know what looks more "custom" but I think that the polished bits disappear in to the silver. The black sets them off and makes them more special.

[Stripes]

#2

[Andrew]

Why limit yourself to Black or silver?  

I would like to suggest Day-glow Green (think Hi-Viz) or Safety Orange. Maybe a combo of Lime Green and Safety Orange.
Be safe Be Seen, forget the loud pipes Bright bikes save lives