[Schmitthead]

I was just wondering what some people have done when powder coating their frame? For instance, how did you organize everything? How long did it take? Was it easy to put back together and maybe some tips when reassembling your quad?

 

[RedRocket]

My buddy with a Raptor is in the middle of doing this. Here's how he attacked it:

1) with everything together, made little gussets for the frame. If doing this, do it while it's together so you can be sure that the gussets clear everything.

2) disassembled everything

3) cleaned paint from all areas that are getting welding treatment, then install the gussets and fix/reinforce any welds

4) send it off for sandblasting - powdercoating. We found a local guy with tons of colors, he said it would be a week

5) put everything back together!

It's taken 2 weeks to get to step 5, don't know how long it'll take to reassemble, prolly a couple of nights.

I'll post pics of the finished chassis soon...

While all this was happening, it was perfect time to send in the Elkas for servicing and revalving, as well as ordering extra parts that are going on it when it goes back together.

So, what color are ya thinking for "Project450R"?

-RR

 

[Schmitthead]

I dont know if i should go with same color for everything like arms, frame, swingarm, hubs or 1 color for the frame and then a diffrent color for the other parts. what do you guys think?

 

[TrX450rKiD]

I would say a red frame with chrome (or polished) other parts...that'd look sick...

 

[lukester720]

Schmitthead, the powercoat is real thick. Have a tap and dye kit handy to clean out the bolt holes because the threads will be covered. Getting the bearings and swingarm back in place may take some extra force too. I actually had to scrape some powdercoat away from where the steering stem bearing goes just to get it in, and I had to beat it in place. BTW that was on my 250x. It probably takes about 3 1/2 to 4 hours to disassemble and probably about 4 1/2 to 5 hours to put back togeather. If everything goes right of course, depends how hard your at work on it to obviously.

 

[RedRocket]

I would recommend getting some cheap bolts and putting them onto all the threaded holes in your frame before powdercoating. This way you just remove the bolts and the factory ones will slide back in with no paint cleaning. You can also mask off the bearing holes to save yourself some time.

-RR

 

[nacsmx450r]

Best color combos ever Red plastic White frame swingarm lower a arms crome upper a arms crome steering stem black or red hubs

 

[blake450r]

are you guys talkin about geting parts chromed or buying new parts chrome?did yall know that getting parts chromed weakins the metal,i know that it looks bad ass and you see it alot but you never see it on x- country bikes.

 

[RedRocket]

Here's the pics of my buddy's raptor frame he just got powdercoated. He wants to go with white plastics...

The main frame:

A closeup of the gussets he welded in up front:

The subframe and Elka attached:

-RR

 

[trx450Rrider]

thats really nice looking

 

[Lason]

Originally posted by blake450r@Apr 22 2004, 10:21 PM
are you guys talkin about geting parts chromed or buying new parts chrome?did yall know that getting parts chromed weakins the metal,i know that it looks bad ass and you see it alot but you never see it on x- country bikes.

I talked to a few local platers a while back (about a year ago) about getting some parts chromed on a project car I was working on and I brought up the fact that some parts were structural and I didnt want them to be weaken'd. He said over th last couple year they have either emplemented a new process or replaced some chemical's they use and it doesnt affect structural integrity any longer. I asked 3 different platers this and they all told me the same thing. I cant remember what they said they changed though but it may be something to ask. Persoanlly if I was going through this I would run all black plastics with EVERYTHING chromed or polished but I would surely double check what I said about the new process and make sure it isnt goint to weaken anything.

 

[Lason]

Actually I found what I think they told me. The reason the metal get weakened is because of "hydrogen embrittlement". Basically after the plating process, hydrogen forms at the metal surface casueing it to weaken and if you bake the part it will eliminate the hydrogen at the surface. Dont quote me on this guys but I believe this is the "new" process I heard about. Here is a link with a FAQ section. What I just talked about is the second to the last question.

Plating FAQ

 

[kagler]

Future Ideas:
i was thinkin of coatin my frame in white with the black plastics and then putting polished a arms and what not to add even more bling!!! B)
it would probably be the perfect bike for any Oakland Raider fan... Silver Black and White.

eh just ideas right now.
I can't wait till i get my bike tomorrow!!!

 

[oldsandman]

My advice: Find a powdercoater that deals with motorcycles or quads. If you can't find a bike specific pc'er make sure whomever you find does the quality of work you desire. Make sure he will plug or cover all mounting points and bearing pockets. Make sure everything you want added or removed from the frame is done before pc'ing. I do all of my own welding, gusseting, grinding clean-up, sand blasting and media blasting of the frame. I'm pretty obsessed with getting the frame cleaned up before pc'ing and the cost of someone else doing it would be way too much. Do all that you're capable of yourself to make sure it's done right. It just like paint the better the prep work the better the finish is. If you can ship your frame CBW (you can find him at Rriders) does a great job.

 

[DN1911]

i'm in the process right now. couple of pointers:
-when removing bolts: group them so you'll know where they go, baggie them with label
-take lots of pictures of where they were so they go back in the same place.
-once dissasembled: buy cheap bolts and plug all holes
-have a good long chat with blaster/coater to make sure stuff that you don't want coated(bearing surfaces, etc.). helps working with a shop that has done these type of projects helps.
-take your time!

as far as color schemes go that's up to you. i'll try to give an idea of what i did.
Chassis:
-frame: black
-A arms: red
-swingarm: red
-wheels: black
-steering stem: red

skidplates:
-bellypan: red
-A arm skid: black
note:skids podercoated to contrast whatever they bolt to. also undersides coated with Line-X bed liner. also the grab bar and front bumper.

i don't care for chrome or polished so i avoided that plus its harder to clean. i don't have it back together yet. still waiting on some parts. i'll try to post pics later should be very neat looking.

 

[Rico450R]

Who ever does your powder coating just ask him if he puts rubber plugs-in. I made sure my guy put these rubber plugs-in, in ever hole where a bolt went and I had no problems with any holes. B) The bolts went right in!

If I ever powder coat my 450r frame I'd probably go with a red frame like Zack said. Then black a-arms and swingarm(which I already have).

Here's some pic's of my 465ex that has black frame and sub, with red a-arms and swingarm!

 

[popo]

Many people have concerns about chrome weakening metal. Pending who you sent it too this is true, I have built many custom bikes/choppers etc. The embrittlement will only set in the ends of the welds, to eliminate this the parts must be re-baked at 250 degrees for the min of two hours.

My swing arm and a-arms are chromed and showing no fatigue points.

I may be breaking the rules on advertisement, but I offer discount-chroming services to racers assure the best show chrome and we are very picky about the finish and quality.

We have been experimenting with spray chrome and so far the tests have been satisfactory. Less headaches requiring no polishing etc. The spray chrome is as durable as an automotive finish. I have some test pieces on a quad going thru testing currently with no signs of peeling and maintaining it’s brilliance after getting muddy than washed.

Some may have seen my Z400 blinged out.

 

[popo]

Another.

 

[popo]

Here is some examples of spray chrome.

 

[jaydawggy]

Here's some pic's of my 465ex that has black frame and sub, with red a-arms and swingarm!

Rico, That 465 looks SWEET! Must have been hard to say goodbye. I am presently getting ready to test out some Duplicolor METALCAST. It is paint that makes the painted surface look like anodized aluminum. I am gonna paint my hub and brake calipers. I will upload some pics when the job is done.

Jaydawggy