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04-04-2013, 02:51 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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Blacked Out Vaquero - My Winter Project
Well guys and gals, I have finally finished my project, just in time for riding season. While there are a couple of small tweaks I will make, I am very happy with the overall appearance of the bike now, and how it turned out. In would love to hear from you all, and see what you think as well. If there are any questions about how I did something, I am happy to answer.
So here it goes. I removed the front signal bar and replaced it with some LED strips in the louvers. They are Custom Dynamics Tru-Flex and they are wired to run dim (30%) when in running mode, and bright full power for turn signals. Then for the rear signals I used a Custom Dynamics "Radius" plate frame with LED built in. On the rear there is amber turn signals, and red on each side acting as a run/brake, there is also white plate lights built in. Next we powdercoated the handlebar, exhaust, crash bars, saddlebag crash bars, control levers, and my custom engine side cover. I added black Avon grips, and black Drag Specialties Mirrors. I used vinyl wrap to cover the remaining chrome. I used 3M matte black wrap on the gauge trim, cylinder head covers, saddlebag handles, saddlebag hinges, headlight trim, brake light trim, and the gas tank lid. It was easier than I thought, as it was my first experience with wrapping anything. I also made my own side cover for the engine. It has a "biohazard symbol" on it which will be backlit with red LED as will the rest of the bike with accessory lighting. Also on the exhaust I opened up the rear of the baffle slightly and removed the wrap on it. It sounds much better now! Also, as I removed bolts and screws, I did my best to replace them with black Allen head bolts for looks and ease of disassembly. I am sure I missed something that I did to the bike, but that is a fair rundown. Here are some pictures... The bike is still quite dirty as I am about to go for a test ride before cleaning everything up! Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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04-04-2013, 03:04 PM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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Oh yeah... I also removed the reflectors from the front forks, and the bags. I still have to get the rest of the glue/tape off the forks. The rear ones, I filled the holes wih some black plugs that blend in pretty well.
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04-04-2013, 03:24 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: ottawa
Posts: 55
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Wow, love it I am working on mine right now. Trying to give it a personal touch, should have a few pics by the end of next week.
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James, Ottawa Ontario 2011 Vaquero |
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04-04-2013, 03:31 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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Thanks for the kind words... I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with! I love seeing bikes that folks put their own thoughts into and have something a little different!
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04-04-2013, 03:59 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Osceola,WI
Posts: 3,084
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Very nice.
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Mike "GIBBY" Gibson Osceola, WI VBA # 1279 2011 National Rally 2012 NCR Rally 2012 Antlers Rally 2013 National Rally 2013 Antlers Rally 2014 NC/SC Rally 2014 Antlers Rally 2015 VRA/VBA Rally 2016 NCR Rally 2016 Antlers Rally 2017 Antlers Rally 2018 NC/SC Rally 2018 Antlers Rally 2019 Antlers Rally 2020 Antlers Rally 2022 Antlers Rally 2023 Antlers Rally 2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited 2022 Indian Roadmaster |
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04-04-2013, 07:20 PM | #7 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Greenwood, Ark.
Posts: 4,736
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Nice job!
I have the tru-flex LED's on my wife's trike. But even using the gizmo they have to make it a run/brake I notice very little difference. Do you see a 30% to 100% change?
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Dave Jesse 2012 1700 Gray/Black Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad Green/Silver Sold VBA #1108 2010- Eureka Springs - Antlers - 2011- Maggie Valley - Antlers 2012- Margaritaville Ride - Van Buren - Antlers - 2013- Estes Park - Antlers 2014- Mountain View - Antlers - 2015- Eureka Springs - Antlers 2016- Salem - Antlers - 2017- Eureka Springs - Lake George - Antlers - 2018- Custer - Antlers |
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04-04-2013, 07:27 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Posts: 6,772
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Nicely done! I'd love to see a close up of the 3m black wrap.
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Jared
VBA #1051 (Former President) |
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04-04-2013, 07:49 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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Quote:
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04-04-2013, 07:53 PM | #10 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: St. Pauls, NC
Posts: 2,089
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Looks great. I love it.
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Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga |
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04-04-2013, 09:08 PM | #11 |
Sr. Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: St.-Eustache, Québec, Canada
Posts: 2,837
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Luv it!!!!
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Sylvain "Sly" Lafrance St. Eustache, Quebec, Canada eh!! 2004 Blue & Silver (the fastest colors) Gone but not forgotten 2012 Ebony Black Kawasaski Concours 14 |
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04-04-2013, 09:23 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Sioux Falls, SD
Posts: 71
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That looks awesome. Black is the new chrome!
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11 Vaquero--Red Kury board mount highway pegs with swing wings Kawasaki power point Utopia rider backrest KQR backrest and luggage rack Kruzer Kaddy Garmin gps with mounted case 13" Cee Baileys dark tinted windshield Passenger floorboards Kury tombstone bag TLC bag liners--STILL WAITING???? |
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04-04-2013, 09:25 PM | #13 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
Posts: 12,034
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I'm normally more of a chrome fan, but that bike just looks right all black. Nice job.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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04-04-2013, 09:31 PM | #14 | |
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 116
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Quote:
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VBA #02164 |
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04-04-2013, 10:36 PM | #15 |
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 98
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I have a few solid pieces of metal left I think if somebody wants to tackle their own project. With the amount of time I have in it, I would need to charge about 150 for one! It was all made by hand. That being said, a plain flat piece of steel is easy if anybody wants to try it on their own as well. If there was enough interest at $150 I would consider producing them in a short run (I do have a real job LOL).
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