JPN paintwork recommendations in UK?

Gents,
Can anyone recommend a top UK painter to do a JPN paint job on Roadster tank and side panels? I see a lot with stripes that aren't quite right in various ways, so am keen to hear of personal recommendations of someone who has experience of doing these to a correct and high standard...

I suspect there are quite a few very capable painters out there, but any job is only as good as the references they work to

B+Bogus said:

I suspect there are quite a few very capable painters out there, but any job is only as good as the references they work to

Click to expand...

Perhaps I should clarify, I'm not gonna criticise the fact that it is not quite the right shade according to factory spec etc, etc, im not a conours nut...

I just want it to look good / right. My main gripe with some I've seen is stripes that are not horizontal, tank stripes at different angles to side panel stripes, etc.

I even thought about getting it all base coated, then marked up for the stripes whilst fitted to the bike.

For the issues you are concerned about you are best leaving the bike with however you pick so they can mask the parts fitted to the bike. Alternative is to get them to paint the white and then bring the bike round for a fitting for the masking layout session but you need a spare tank for that or a trailer.

Hi Eddie,
if you want a top quality job and correct in every detail, I would give Norvil a ring ( 01543 278008 ) and ask for the number of there painters.

chris r

Fast Eddie said:

B+Bogus said:

I suspect there are quite a few very capable painters out there, but any job is only as good as the references they work to

Click to expand...

Perhaps I should clarify, I'm not gonna criticise the fact that it is not quite the right shade according to factory spec etc, etc, im not a conours nut...

I just want it to look good / right. My main gripe with some I've seen is stripes that are not horizontal, tank stripes at different angles to side panel stripes, etc.

I even thought about getting it all base coated, then marked up for the stripes whilst fitted to the bike.

Click to expand...

I know exactly where you're coming from - I used to do this stuff for a living, and without clear instructions you'll only get someone else's interpretation.
I saw a Triumph Daytona (T100R) tank done by a famous UK shop which was a parody of the factory job, but it was shiny.... :roll:
i.e. if the painter is provided with good references to work from, you get an agreement that that's what he'll deliver.
If you're that bothered (I know I would be ), scan some photos and take your own dimensions for him to work from.

Factory brochures are just the thing here, as anything else other than period photos could have been resprayed already. There are exceptions.
This bloke doesn't seem to ride motorbikes much...



While on the subject, All the factory bikes went out with the graphics just stuck on - I prefer the graphics to be lacquered over, but which is better?

I wish my kitchen was that clean…….. :lol:

gripper said:

I wish my kitchen was that clean…….. :lol:

Click to expand...

Kitchen...? We've got one of those I think. At least, we have a room that food comes from, and dishes go into. Not sure how clean it is though.

But my wokshop... now then... it may be small... but it is clean... and organised. A haven!

Wives and children only admitted by prior appointment...

I wish my house was that big :lol: :lol:

Nigel, F D motorcycles did a really good job on my T160. I even described the shade of candy red/burgundy over the phone and it couldn't have been more perfect (yes I wanted a slightly different shade on my T160).

I have since had some more work done at another painters just outside York on my Norton Interstate, Moto Guzzi LM and other T160 tank. On all three occasions, I gave LOTS of instructions and measurements and backed up with pictures so that the painter knew exactly what or how I wanted the details, and he did an exacting excellent job each time. Also as has been said, depending as to exactly how your side panels sit on the bike when fitted, maybe you should mark the orientation of the lines yourself (or supply the machine as well) so that they will be parallel to the ground when fitted.

The only other consideration I would have, and you are probably aware of this, is to have the paint in "two pack" as opposed to cellulose as I am told it is much tougher wearing. Some painters are licenced to use two pack (as was my York painter), and this was his advice to me as initially I was going to get my paint from RS paint....which was cellulose and so in the end my painter mixed two pack paint for me.

Reggie,
Could you please give contact details for the painter near York, would be useful to know for future reference.
Thanks.

Fast Eddie said:

B+Bogus said:

I suspect there are quite a few very capable painters out there, but any job is only as good as the references they work to

Click to expand...

Perhaps I should clarify, I'm not gonna criticise the fact that it is not quite the right shade according to factory spec etc, etc, im not a conours nut...

I just want it to look good / right. My main gripe with some I've seen is stripes that are not horizontal, tank stripes at different angles to side panel stripes, etc.

I even thought about getting it all base coated, then marked up for the stripes whilst fitted to the bike.

Click to expand...

+1 Ibex
I've see some very crooked decals in photos. I'm working with my painters now (that's a different bitching thread). I brought the tin-wear home and did what you suggested. It shed some light on why some decals are so crooked.



The side panels are pretty obviously slanted. But what surprised me was the tank, on my bike anyway, was slanted in the same pitch, in the opposite direction. in other words the side panels slanted up in the front and the tank slanted down in the front. If a painter were to follow the profile, then the decals would be slanted in opposite directions.
I used measurements from the floor to place the decals parallel. Then I provided this diagram to the painter + I left the decals in place.



I will caution people that my bike may be unique. I have a 75 tank on a 71 frame and it may sit differently.
PS: Sorry for the fractions. I'm an American carpenter and they come naturally :wink: .

Ibex wrote;

Reggie,
Could you please give contact details for the painter near York, would be useful to know for future reference.

Click to expand...

Colour Crazy,
Wheldrake Ln, York YO19 4SN
01904 671287

I painted JPN colours myself and got some great help off this site. The available car colours I got from Glassurite where.

Diamond White
Atlantic Blue
Zanzabar Red

If I remember, Keith gave me these colour suggestions, and also some photo's of an original painted tank, that I blew up and gained details of stripes. I did muck up the angles of the lines on the side cover, they do not line up with the tank, but it is pretty close and add's character. I would think the originals were not in perfect alignment?

Regards Richard

Here is a good example of how NOT to do it. It baffles me how out of touch they are with both the tank shape and paintwork.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NORTON-COMM ... 56&vxp=mtr

bwolfie said:

Here is a good example of how NOT to do it. It baffles me how out of touch they are with both the tank shape and paintwork.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-NORTON-COMM ... 56&vxp=mtr

Click to expand...

Indeed!
The problem we're all going to have in a few years time, when bikes have changed hands, is that these tanks will be on the second hand market, repainted, used, etc. And will be innocently sold on as 'genuine'...