Why Harley's are so heavy...(pics)
#11
07-28-2010, 12:23 PM
OMG that is just TFF! 5mm? Hells bells what are they trying to do make it bullet proof too?! That's like enough clear coat to just about match the diameter of .22 caliber round. Dayum that would be thick and add just a bit of weight.
The painting time really isn't that impressive when guesstimate probably 95% of that is drying time. But I'm guessing the tour guide forget to say mention that part. The average cage has 2 - 4 mils and sometimes 5 not sure about bikes but I would guess it's about the same. So staying in the ballpark or just over the fence.
Sticking with 5 mil theory myself. But it was an amusing read.
The painting time really isn't that impressive when guesstimate probably 95% of that is drying time. But I'm guessing the tour guide forget to say mention that part. The average cage has 2 - 4 mils and sometimes 5 not sure about bikes but I would guess it's about the same. So staying in the ballpark or just over the fence.
Sticking with 5 mil theory myself. But it was an amusing read.
#12
07-28-2010, 12:31 PM
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The painting time really isn't that impressive when guesstimate probably 95% of that is drying time. But I'm guessing the tour guide forget to say mention that part. The average cage has 2 - 4 mils and sometimes 5 not sure about bikes but I would guess it's about the same. So staying in the ballpark or just over the fence.
Your point is taken, but, in this day and age when time and speed of production is top priority by the "bean counters" I still believe this to be impressive.
Watched a show abut Honda last week on the History Channel and they couldn't stop bragging on how fast they could produce a bike right down to the second.
Just saying.........
Last edited by vonzoog; 07-28-2010 at 12:33 PM.
#13
07-28-2010, 12:35 PM
Elite HDF Member
FYI:
I was at the York Plant a couple of weeks ago and the wife and I did the "Walk The Line 2010" tour of the touring model plant. Anyway there was a display of fenders at different stages of primer, paint, and clear seal. The tour guide went out of his way to point out that it took 7 hours of time for every tank or fender that was a solid (one) color to make. It took 12 hours for two-tone and pinstriped paint schemes. Also stated that Harley-Davidson have 4 or 7 times (I can't remember which) the amount of layer of clear coat than the average cars being sold in the US today.
This impressed and amazed me that much time was dedicated to produce a finish product just for the painting alone. Obviously, Harley-Davidon takes great pride in their paint products.
I was at the York Plant a couple of weeks ago and the wife and I did the "Walk The Line 2010" tour of the touring model plant. Anyway there was a display of fenders at different stages of primer, paint, and clear seal. The tour guide went out of his way to point out that it took 7 hours of time for every tank or fender that was a solid (one) color to make. It took 12 hours for two-tone and pinstriped paint schemes. Also stated that Harley-Davidson have 4 or 7 times (I can't remember which) the amount of layer of clear coat than the average cars being sold in the US today.
This impressed and amazed me that much time was dedicated to produce a finish product just for the painting alone. Obviously, Harley-Davidon takes great pride in their paint products.
Then why is there so much orange peel in my front fender?
Maybe the robot was having a bad day.
#14
07-28-2010, 12:40 PM
Extreme HDF Member
I know Harleys paint is fairly thick, because I've buffed out a couple of deep scratches on my '02 Ultra's fairing that I did NOT think I could clean up!
#15
07-28-2010, 12:40 PM
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Carperide.
Hey I not trying to start anything here. Just telling you what I saw and what I thought. My new 2010 has perfect paint on the fenders and tank. The top of my bags look perfect. The back and sides of my bags have orange peel to them.
The painting process the tour was showing was all metal items and I didn't even see any of the painted "plastic" parts like the saddlebags.
Hey I not trying to start anything here. Just telling you what I saw and what I thought. My new 2010 has perfect paint on the fenders and tank. The top of my bags look perfect. The back and sides of my bags have orange peel to them.
The painting process the tour was showing was all metal items and I didn't even see any of the painted "plastic" parts like the saddlebags.
#18
07-28-2010, 12:55 PM
Elite HDF Member
Carperide.
Hey I not trying to start anything here. Just telling you what I saw and what I thought. My new 2010 has perfect paint on the fenders and tank. The top of my bags look perfect. The back and sides of my bags have orange peel to them.
The painting process the tour was showing was all metal items and I didn't even see any of the painted "plastic" parts like the saddlebags.
Hey I not trying to start anything here. Just telling you what I saw and what I thought. My new 2010 has perfect paint on the fenders and tank. The top of my bags look perfect. The back and sides of my bags have orange peel to them.
The painting process the tour was showing was all metal items and I didn't even see any of the painted "plastic" parts like the saddlebags.
#19
07-28-2010, 01:06 PM
Good paint
I have owned a few new Harleys from different eras and always been impressed by the paint quality. My latest new Brilliant Silver Pearl Street Glides paint is smooth and looks nice and deep. Beautiful flawless paint. I suppose a lemon can be had in most anything, people included!! 
#20
07-28-2010, 01:56 PM
Your point is taken, but, in this day and age when time and speed of production is top priority by the "bean counters" I still believe this to be impressive.
Watched a show abut Honda last week on the History Channel and they couldn't stop bragging on how fast they could produce a bike right down to the second.
Just saying.........
Watched a show abut Honda last week on the History Channel and they couldn't stop bragging on how fast they could produce a bike right down to the second.
Just saying.........
Last edited by BBStacker; 07-29-2010 at 03:15 PM.