Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: philipintexas on February 25, 2013, 02:20:37 PM

Title: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: philipintexas on February 25, 2013, 02:20:37 PM
It's been a long time since I've seen references to this subject, but it's a really neat process that can be applied to lots of different surfaces on any bike. I like the carbon fiber look but don't want to pay for the real thing. I had some blah black panels done on my other bike, which I won't name, pictured below. It costs around $.35 a sq. inch which makes it comparable to paint, maybe even cheaper.  There are lots of different patterns available from hearts to skulls to camouflage and even woodgrains. How about a burl-walnut dash? Lots of people want to color match trunk lids or panels but this might be a different approach.
There are local places springing up as they don't need a huge investment in equipment, some are probably better than others so it pays to check them out and see some completed work.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/2013Goldwingcarbonfiber001_zpsccec9f4f.jpg)
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/2013Goldwingcarbonfiber003_zps35af322a.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: VirginiaJim on February 25, 2013, 02:51:40 PM
Someone mention burl?  Amboyan perhaps? 

I do like that carbon fiber look.  How hard is it to apply or do you have to send out the pieces?
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: gPink on February 25, 2013, 03:11:58 PM
This ones for Maxdog. ;)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9488.msg115256#msg115256 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9488.msg115256#msg115256)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8864.msg107478#msg107478 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8864.msg107478#msg107478)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: maxtog on February 25, 2013, 03:19:23 PM
This ones for Maxdog. ;)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9488.msg115256#msg115256 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=9488.msg115256#msg115256)
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8864.msg107478#msg107478 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=8864.msg107478#msg107478)

:)  Be careful, you don't want me rubbing off onto people.
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: ZG on February 25, 2013, 03:25:59 PM
Someone mention burl?  Amboyan perhaps? 

 ;D   :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: jamiemac on February 25, 2013, 03:38:38 PM
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: Conrad on February 25, 2013, 03:42:31 PM
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.

(http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/556860/902953.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: 556ALPHA on February 25, 2013, 03:44:09 PM
Post a photo of the entire bike if you have time.  Thanks Phil.
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: gPink on February 25, 2013, 03:46:37 PM
(http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/556860/902953.jpg)
:rotflmao:
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: jamiemac on February 25, 2013, 04:19:42 PM
 :rotflmao: :chugbeer:
(http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/mediaFiles/picture/556860/902953.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: philipintexas on February 25, 2013, 04:41:26 PM
Post a photo of the entire bike if you have time.  Thanks Phil.
It's not a Concours, but here it is.
As far as cost, there are 3 pieces on each side and the total cost was $220, prices may vary. I thought it was money well spent.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc213/philipintexas/2013Goldwingcarbonfiber_zps0f28e13b.jpg)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: jamiemac on February 25, 2013, 05:11:07 PM
Very cool, Phil!
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: ljcorby on February 25, 2013, 06:01:37 PM
Nice
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: 556ALPHA on February 25, 2013, 06:49:24 PM
Beautiful bike Phil.  I had an 08 and my wife loved it.  Was the company local or how did you get the lower bags done?  Is that a 2013 or did you have the sides panels painted to match?
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: philipintexas on February 25, 2013, 07:29:43 PM
It's a 2013, I only had the panels done, the 2013's come with color matching mid-panel except in some colors. I found a shop South of Ft. Worth to do mine.
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: 556ALPHA on February 25, 2013, 08:10:21 PM
Beautiful color. 
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: stevewfl on February 25, 2013, 09:58:52 PM
Neat stuff. I think I'll woodgrain the mid panels on My C14, and buy some whitewall tires. I'll have the only Woody Connie on the planet.

I'd like to see that, I know it would get the attention Ok (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bigthumb.gif)
Title: Re: Hydro-Graphics: An alternative to paint
Post by: Son of Pappy on February 25, 2013, 10:21:34 PM
Someone mention burl?  Amboyan perhaps? 

I do like that carbon fiber look.  How hard is it to apply or do you have to send out the pieces?
http://www.bellforestproducts.com/amboyna-burl/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=amboyna%20burl%20wood&utm_content=Amboyna%20Burl&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20Wood%20Species%20-%20Computers%20and%20Tablets%20-%20USA (http://www.bellforestproducts.com/amboyna-burl/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=amboyna%20burl%20wood&utm_content=Amboyna%20Burl&utm_campaign=Search%20-%20Wood%20Species%20-%20Computers%20and%20Tablets%20-%20USA)
Gotta git it right there Jim ;D