[klarowe]

Figured I'd try to keep all my mods in one topic rather than constantly creating new topics. So here it goes.
2012 Stryker Raven
- R6 flush mounted tail light
- High beam flash garage door opener
- Red 'demon' eye LED around headlight
- Various Red LED's throughout the bike.

I finally got started on the de-chroming yesterday. Used Plasti-dip so it will hopefully resist chipping a little better than paint and if I ever decided I want to go back to chrome, I can just peel it off and the chrome will be unharmed.
Before:

After:

Also removed the tank trim. I actually like the look of just the gas cap... gives it that 'chopper' / bobber look almost (I think).

Now to do start work on the rear section.... and save up for a Vance & Hines hopefully soon. Then over winter I'll most likely get the wheels powdercoated and figure out what I can do with the front end / forks.

 

[dreadly]

klarowe ...

Have you used Plasti-dip before? We just came upon this product recently and were curious as to how long it lasts?

Does it stand up to washing ... etc.

 

[klarowe]

This was the first time I've ever used it but I will let you know how it works out. So far it sprayed on very easily. I was able to actually put fairly thick coats on without it running. It is very pliable until fully dried... which I found out the hard way when I handled it a little too early and made a little smudge.
I'll try to keep you updated with how it holds up.

 

[dreadly]

A friend did a few parts on his bike. It had been a couple of days and when he came over to show me, the two large pieces felt a bit tacky still ... do your finished pieces feel tacky or does it dry to a paint like finish?

 

[klarowe]

As of this morning they still felt a little tacky. The bike has been outside all day (I'm at work) so hopefully they will be able to fully dry and I'll see how they feel. I would much rather prefer to powder-coat them, but I don't think the plastic would hold up so well in the oven.. lol

 

[dreadly]

hehehe
That's why we are looking at this option for the wife's Stryker.

 

[Raven]

Hey Dreadly I just did this to my engine covers as well. I'll let you know how they hold up to the AB climate and road dirt. The Krylon that I used before didn't last very long before it chipped.

 

[elle]

I used PlastiDip on the chrome bumpers of my truck. It wears well. No chips or anything. I was wondering how it would hold up to the heat on the bike chrome. All my chrome has been painted out (not plastidip) and is wearing really well, but would ike to know how it stands up to the heat

 

[dreadly]

Hey Dreadly I just did this to my engine covers as well. I'll let you know how they hold up to the AB climate and road dirt. The Krylon that I used before didn't last very long before it chipped.

How long ago?

 

[Raven]

Hey Dreadly I just did this to my engine covers as well. I'll let you know how they hold up to the AB climate and road dirt. The Krylon that I used before didn't last very long before it chipped.

How long ago?

Yesterday haha

 

[Raven]

I used PlastiDip on the chrome bumpers of my truck. It wears well. No chips or anything. I was wondering how it would hold up to the heat on the bike chrome. All my chrome has been painted out (not plastidip) and is wearing really well, but would ike to know how it stands up to the heat

Hey Elle....does your truck see any snow/salt form the roads. I was thinking of doing my entire jeep with plasti dip but not sure how it would hold up to the winters up here...

some cool projects on the website..... dipyourcar.com

 

[klarowe]

In addition to getting a bunch of stuff finished up on the trailer, I managed to actually do some work on the bike yesterday as well.

Started to paint my exhaust (that was done Friday and I didn't have a whole lot of time so I wasn't able to do the entire exhaust just yet). The paint 'scheme' will directly match the 2011 Raven. I also drilled a total of 12 9/16" holes in the baffle to give it a much better sound.

Yesterday I was able to get my rear lowering links installed. It drops the rear approx. 2.25". With the rear being lower, it made the 'stance' of the bike look off so I also dropped the front by loosening both triple trees and sliding the forks up a bit. The forks were moved approx. 30mm.

And one more side shot along with the installation of the one and only decal that will be going on the bike. I relocated the tire information sticker a little further forward on the swing arm to hide it a little better without completely removing it.

Now to install my peg extenders when they come in, finish painting the exhaust, and she should be ready to go for Indy in a couple weeks!!

A quick update on the Plasti-dip. It is holding up quite well for the most part. The only part that gave me issues is the side cover by my left foot. The rubbing of my boot ended up wearing off most of the covering and I ended up just peeling it completely off. I'm going to try re-covering it and putting it on a little thicker and see how it holds up. On the plus side, the original chrome finish was not disturbed at all by the plasti-dip and once the plasti dip was removed, it looks just as good. So the plasti-dip is 100% reversible without affecting the factory finish!

 

[strykenshane]

Dam that's low, looks great my friend, live to hear how the ride is after lowering the forks

 

[klarowe]

Im sure it will take some getting used to... i was scraping peg before so now i'll really have to be careful

 

[toby]

The thing that I scrape is the pipe mount on right hand turns and the end of the pipe if you hit any kind of hard bump.

 

[klarowe]

Finished the exhaust today. Didn't get much more accomplished besides that since I was also helping a buddy pull the transmission in his Subaru...

 

[mrx]

Looks sweet. Planning on doing anything with the rims? I love that they dumped the wings on the tank for 2012

 

[kylelink]

Yup. You sold me. I'm attacking my bike with Plasti-Dip ASAP. I love the look. Plus, I'm cheap, and that's gotta be cheaper than powder-coating...

 

[klarowe]

The exhaust is high temp paint... not plasti dip. The only place i had an issue so far with the plasti dip was on the left cover. It rubbed off from my boot hitting it. As for the wheels, i have an idea that i might go for this week.

 

[klarowe]

Almost forgot, I also decided to give the bike a little more loud. I've had 4 1/2" holes in each baffle for a little while but decided to go big or go home and increased the size to 9/16" as well as adding 4 more holes. I plan on picking up a Vance & Hines exhaust when we get back from Indy so I didn't take the time to perfectly space them. But the sound is actually really good for a factory exhaust with a bunch of holes. Will definitely hold me over for now.

And as for the lowering, surprisingly its not scraping as much as I originally thought it would. I purposely decided to push it a little bit to see just how far I could lean it before it started pushing up on the peg (don't want to max the peg 'flex' out and break the peg or cause the rear tire to skip out). I was able to lean it over pretty good before the peg started pushing up on my foot.
Just a little peg rash... lol