Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 07:14:56 PM

Title: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 07:14:56 PM
Have any of you guys painted or powder coated your passenger grab rails in black? If so, any pics please?
 
I just pulled the trigger today on the Corbin smuggler, paint matched to my 09 black.  8)
http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8fre.shtml (http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8fre.shtml)
 
I'm thinking that with this smuggler trunk when mounted it might look better with the grab rails black so that they blend in with the smuggler rear compartment and my tail plastic??
 
What do you guys think? Opinions please...
 
Also, should I have the grab rails powder coated in a gloss black or a flat black?
 
  :feedback:
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: stevewfl on September 06, 2011, 08:03:19 PM
Semi-gloss black would look awesome (IMO). Flat would rub off and fade easier. Gloss would be too gliterry.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: jjsC6 on September 06, 2011, 08:43:42 PM
I have not done it, but my first choice would be to get rid of them, but barring the practicality and work of doing that I have seriously considered painting them black.  Maybe some rainy weekend!
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 06, 2011, 08:47:21 PM
There is a guy that has painted and powdercoated his whole C14 and M109r black.  His id on the 109 forum is Tyler1015, I can't find his posts on here, but he posted some pics a couple months back.

IMO if you spend the time and do quality prep work you could have a nice result using satin or semi-gloss black.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Kiwi Graham on September 06, 2011, 09:16:32 PM
Apparently the 2012 model has black grab handles, pics will surley follow.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Pokey on September 06, 2011, 09:21:00 PM
They are plastic.........
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on September 06, 2011, 09:24:50 PM
Here ya go.

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2297.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2297.0)

I would send Tyler1015 a PM to see if he could point you in the right direction.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Glenn on September 06, 2011, 09:33:51 PM
Have any of you guys painted or powder coated your passenger grab rails in black? If so, any pics please?
 
I just pulled the trigger today on the Corbin smuggler, paint matched to my 09 black.  8)
http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8fre.shtml (http://www.corbin.com/kawasaki/kc8fre.shtml)
 
I'm thinking that with this smuggler trunk when mounted it might look better with the grab rails black so that they blend in with the smuggler rear compartment and my tail plastic??
 
What do you guys think? Opinions please...
 
Also, should I have the grab rails powder coated in a gloss black or a flat black?
 
  :feedback:

I really like this idea! I inadvertently scratched my grab rail with bungee cords and was thinking along these same lines. I was thinking semi gloss or satin.

You bought the Corbin Smuggler? Pretty soon you'll be near  the BMW price level... only on  a better bike!
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 09:42:26 PM
Apparently the 2012 model has black grab handles, pics will surley follow.


Hmmm... that's true, I think I did see some pics showing that just the other day. I wonder if what they use for color is any different than just painting them?  :-\


As Pokey mentioned, they are just plastic so I guess that rules out powder coating...  :(
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 09:46:03 PM
I really like this idea! I inadvertently scratched my grab rail with bungee cords and was thinking along these same lines. I was thinking semi gloss or satin.

You bought the Corbin Smuggler? Pretty soon you'll be near  the BMW price level... only on  a better bike!


Had I paid MSRP maybe, thank goodness I saved the $4k and bought a new left over model Glenn...  :)


I'm coming up on my one year anniversary of purchase date, Sept 23 2010, maybe I should post up a thread of what all I did to her in year one along with costs, I'm a little scared...  :-\
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Pokey on September 06, 2011, 09:50:01 PM
I might just paint mine with bedliner. 8)
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 09:55:50 PM
Semi-gloss black would look awesome (IMO). Flat would rub off and fade easier. Gloss would be too gliterry.

I think you're right on that point Steve.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 06, 2011, 09:59:37 PM
Apparently the 2012 model has black grab handles, pics will surley follow.

Found it!
 
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb336/jaywilcox/2012black.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: muguvian on September 07, 2011, 06:11:55 AM
Painted mine semi-gloss black with Krylon Fusion when I first got the bike in 2008.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: Big Iron on September 07, 2011, 06:51:51 AM
Wow, muguvian, those straight pipes have got to be loud !!
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: jonathan on September 07, 2011, 09:17:59 AM

I'm thinking that with this smuggler trunk when mounted it might look better with the grab rails black so that they blend in with the smuggler rear compartment and my tail plastic??
 
What do you guys think? Opinions please...
 

That sounds like a great idea. That will give you a nice clean look.
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: ZG on September 07, 2011, 10:35:16 AM
Thanks for the pic muguvian, was it pretty easy to remove it for painting? Or was it a pain? I'd think the bolts are accessable from under the passenger seat right but I haven't looked yet...
Title: Re: Anyone done their passenger grab rails in black?
Post by: muguvian on September 08, 2011, 06:43:04 AM
Very easy to remove; bolts under the seat and the rear rack.