VFRDiscussion

New project thread! This is my first time playing with Powdercoat. I’ve had a set of wheels on my VFR for the longest time, finished in Duplicolor gold spray paint. Watching Craigslist for years had paid off. I found an entire swingarm from a 1993 VFR in Seattle. The 8 spoke I needed was there right in the middle! I paid a stranger and trusted he would mail it. He even had a buddy unmount the tire to make shipping reasonable.

There was only light surface blemishes to be found. I ended up polishing them out by hand with crocus cloth.

The current front wheel on my VFR has the slightest bend in one of the rims. It’s only a slight cosmetic detail. In the interest of keeping my personal bike rideable, I’ve sourced another front rim from a parts bike. I removed the rotors, and drove out the bearings. Used a blowtorch to heat it and they tapped out easy. Spooned off the old tire, quick wipe with a rag, and now I have a set.

Here’s the photo dropping them off at the powdercoater this week. There was a choice over the particular shade of gold. Having nothing to match to except themselves, I could change it up. I selected Prismatic Gold, which is a little darker/bronzer than I had before, while still being a true gold. I only saw a swatch. Picked a matte finish. I’ll know the result in a few weeks!

A new set of bearings are already in stock. All that’s left is waiting in anticipation. Will share the result when it’s in!

Prismatic Powders is a good source for PC colors.I personally went bonkers trying to decide on a certain shade for silver for wheels...too many choices!
https://www.prismaticpowders.com/search/silver?
Same thing on the calipers for gold!
https://www.prismaticpowders.com/search/gold?

Duplicolor does work surprisinly well for the short term. The rims I have had are black, silver and white. Imho the silver are the most pleasing to the eye while the white can be a rather stunning contrast. Powercoat silver in a great choice.

I can't wait to see them.

Got the call: they will be ready by the end of day. Awesome! Just in time for weekend. Here’s the 8 spoke: The front wheel is looking just as nice. Attention to detail was noted here: the center ring is visible and received powdercoat too. I have fitted everything and there are no interference issues whatsoever. I was able to successfully spoon the rear tire on with bare feet and slippah, no tools.
Tires are Pirelli Diablo Rosso III. I purchased them last year while on sale, and had stashed them in the closet. To prepare the new wheels, I pulled through new TR412 valve stems. With bearings in the freezer, heated rim with a blowtorch. Bearings fell right into place. Some marine grease went on the seals. I chucked each of the brake rotor bolts into the drill and with a green scotchbrite pad polished off the corrosion.
I’ll have a proper photo to share tomorrow in the daytime. I like the guy I found to do this powdercoat work. I’ll bring more to him in the future now that I know how easily it can be done.

Looks great! I'm hoping to run across another 8 spoke. I have one on the RWB bike, but I also need one for the silver bike to make it go faster.

Looking really good. Keep track of that powder-coater. The attention detail is good.

Awesome result!
Curious to see them on the bike.

For those in the Netherlands, Brother Coating in Almere showed the same eye for detail.

I wanted to wait and make sure the whole package was presentable before sharing the finished product. The VFR got some proper detail attention recently. Here’s how the 8 spoke fits. I was able to make it all the way up to Nacamiento-Ferguson road this month for its first pass through to the coast. What a treat it is to ride this VFR.

Looking good!