anybody?

 

I re-painted my Fatboy. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. A few questions you should ask yourself. What is my budget? Around my area a basic no frills paint job, no flames, stencil, custom work, etc, can run around $1500 on a Softail to $1800 on a Touring. If you take the bike down yourself may be alittle less. When you add your own style and flare it is going to go up.
Next ask around your area, other bikers and at the shops and dealer who they recommend for the work. When you are ready be prepared in the summer months to wait a few weeks to a couple of months before your ride is taken in. Winter is a good time for paint, thats whatI did. All I can say is in the end I think you will be happy with the results.

 

Thanks to all for the well thought out ideas and suggestions! To the guys that showed there bikes after painting thanks! They look great. Have printed all the suggestions and will go forward. Checking bike nights, refrences and waiting till winter sounds right. Thanks to all and enjoy the weekend

Joe

 

Where are you located RK62? Maybe some of the members around you could help steer you to a good painter in your area.

 

Yes it is a compression release, 95 ci kit with 203 cam and SE High Performance Heads Dyno - 94 HP 97 TQ.

The dealer recommended them when I had the upgrade done and yess it does make a difference. The starter does not have to work as hard when they are engaged prior to starting the engine.

 

Roadking62, you are getting some good advice. Its true that car painters can paint bikes. I painted cars for 30 years, and painted bikes on the side. After seeing all the screw ups on bikes by so call high end painters at body shops, I opened a shop specializing in bikes. Now I paint cars on the side. Bikes are different, but any "good" painter that takes pride in his (or her) work will be able to give you a quality job. The bike nights are a good source of information, you will find out who all the local guys reccommend or might tell you who to stay away from.
But the best time to get a paint job is right in the middle of riding season, yes right now. Why, because the custom shops aren't as busy right now, and may offer you a better deal. When it gets cold, I get so busy, I have to work 15 to 18 hour days to keep up, In the summer its a lot slower, more like a steady trickle. Turn around time now is 2 to 3 weeks, turn around time in January is about 4 to 6 weeks. The key is not to rush a custom job, so you really need a motivated painter who will do the job and get it back to you...........................done right.
Good luck!

 

Hoz, live in the Boston burbs, south of the city, heading toward Cape Cod. Anyone know a bike painter in this area? Thanks

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Have you considered buying a custom painted set on ebay? Then it's just a matter of replacing your tank and fenders. Plus you can sell your old set and recoup some of your custom painted purchase expense.