keeping my klr but....

[Steve Dyer]

Anyone had good results painting a helmet? Bought a new off-brand full-face helmet in matte black and would rather have it silver or light grey, via spray can. Yes, I've long heard that painting a helmet will instantly render it completely unsafe, but I'm willing to take the awful risk, Darth Vader. Any particular type of paint better than another for this application? I'm assuming this lightweight helmet is polycarbonate. Steve

[Steve Dyer]

It's an ABS shell.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Dyer" To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 9:03 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Helmet Paint > > Anyone had good results painting a helmet? Bought a new off-brand > full-face helmet in matte black and would rather have it silver or light > grey, via spray can. Yes, I've long heard that painting a helmet will > instantly render it completely unsafe, but I'm willing to take the awful > risk, Darth Vader. Any particular type of paint better than another for > this application? I'm assuming this lightweight helmet is polycarbonate. > > Steve >

[roncriswell@sbcglobal.net]

I have painted a couple and put auto type clear coat on them with no ill effects ...... but I haven't crashed on them either. I have heard that some paints will weaken them but don't tell the custom painters that. Criswell

On Jul 22, 2009, at 9:03 PM, Steve Dyer wrote: > > Anyone had good results painting a helmet? Bought a new off-brand > full-face helmet in matte black and would rather have it silver or > light > grey, via spray can. Yes, I've long heard that painting a helmet will > instantly render it completely unsafe, but I'm willing to take the > awful > risk, Darth Vader. Any particular type of paint better than another > for > this application? I'm assuming this lightweight helmet is > polycarbonate. > > Steve > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ron Magen]

Steve, As a small boat builder & sailor, I'm VERY familiar with the phrase "You CAN'T do that !!'. As an engineer I have that obstinate streak that reply's, " I'LL be the determining factor about THAT !! " . . . and MAKE it work. I think the 'old saw' started out a long time ago with the conflict between the {THEN} 'plastic' formulations and the solvents in the paint. {Ever make 'plastic models' as a kid? If you didn't use the 'special' paint the plastic could actually start to dissolve.} Depending on your 'level of Paranoia', there are two ways I would go about it {probably more, actually - but this has worked for me}. I did basically the same thing you did - got a '3-in-1' helmet from J.C. Whitney -in glossy black. Disassembled it to it's basic components, & taped off all the 'non-plastic' parts. Gave everything a complete 400 grit 'scrub' {I wanted a matt surface}. Gave all two coats of a 'Plastic Primer' {spray can - from Lowe's}. When dry gave two coats of the spray paint {either 'Plastic' or 'All Surface'} in a 'Textured Green' that was the 'O.D. Green' I wanted. {did the same with the attachment screws}. I've banged it around for several months now - still looks great . . and SOLID. Another method would use VERY 'gentle' solvent finishes. The same 'pre-treatment' - 'scrub' with sandpaper of your choice - even Carbide 'wet-or-dry' at 320-400 grit if you want a smooth finish. Clean with DENATURED alcohol. Apply two coats of primer {Zinsser's BIN is alcohol-based-MY preference . . or their '1-2-3' which is water-based}. Then two coats of your 'Finish' - water-based for the severely paranoid. Regards & Good Luck, Ron Magen Backyard Boatshop 9a. Helmet Paint Posted by: "Steve Dyer" stevedyer@... mongoklr Date: Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:04 pm ((PDT)) Anyone had good results painting a helmet? . . off-brand . . matte black . . . via spray can. . .long heard painting . . will instantly render it completely unsafe, . . Any particular type of paint better than another . . . _______________________________________ No viruses found in this outgoing message Scanned by iolo AntiVirus 1.5.7.1 http://www.iolo.com

[Jeff Khoury]

Well, I know this is completely outside the realm of what you're looking for, but I would go buy a nice old CB-750. (late 70's - early 80s). I see 'em on craigslist all the time with low miles and in good working order for $1,000 - 2,000. Powerful, smooth, cheap, reliable and It has a wonderful bench-y seat you can sit on all day. ...But I like old bikes... -Jeff Khoury

----- Original Message ----- From: "dan.hinsch" To: "DSN KLR650" DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 1:12:18 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Keeping my KLR but.... I will always keep my KLR but I am thinking about adding a bike, probably a Wee-Strom. I am 6"4 and 300lbs and I have a 2001 KLR 650 that I am completely satisfied with, but with around 50K miles on it it is getting a bit worn. For the most part I am never going off road with it anymore and I have been putting on a lot of interstate and highway miles on it. It is occasional long distance bike as well as my daily commuter. I have Touratech panniers which I use all the time, carrying a few spare parts, spare clothes, and a briefcase/laptop bag, also groceries and such on the way home, and I run a 3 gallon Aux fuel tank for some extended range. The few things I would like to have on the KLR are, 1. Just a hair more power/better highway speed mileage, 2.Tubeless tires, 3.Enough electricity to run my jacket liner and aux lights. The Wee looks like it will handle all that perfectly but I am afraid of the seat. My butt is completely comfortable on the Corbin bench seat on the KLR. My only concern with the Wee is the seating position, I want to be able to sit on the bike for 12 to 24 hours which I can do now on the KLR with my flat seat because I can shift all around. I have found a number of seat solutions but I haven't seen a flat bench seat. My wife has a Honda Shadow that I don't ride because of the seat position, and I also have a Harley Springer that I use for two up with my daughter but I really am not completely comfortable on that either because of the one position dished out seat. I also would like ABS which the bike at the dealer doesn't have, but that isn't a deal breaker because I won't know what I am missing. Finally the Orange Wee is $6399 + $400 freight + $400 prep + $60 paperwork, the salesman said they may negotiate on the prep fee. BMW GS800 is out because of price/no dealers by me. KTM is out because of price/I don't need the off road capability. KLR is in because of price and accessory availability and I know what the bike is. Wee-Strom on the fence, only because of the long distance seat comfort concerns. Somebody please give me a push. Dan [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]