Installing a set of decorative kits on the fairing
Content
Find adhesives, stickers, budget, tips and tricks
The restoration saga of the 6 Kawasaki ZX636R 2002 sports car: episode 28
The motorcycle fairing is new, flawless thanks to hours of restoration work on it, but definitely very white. What if I put a jewelry kit on this Kawazaki zx6r? Again, there are several decal solutions. Not all of them have the same results or the same technique or ease of installation. So I start looking for a good render just to complete the look and refine the bike's finish. The budget is, of course, limited. Call.
Original stickers
The least we can say is that the original piece is terribly expensive. This is why most damaged bikes don't always come away with all the decals installed. We quickly switched to RSV for this simple fact.
Even if I make a tight choice, with a streamlined sidewall, hooves, brand and model decals, I'm already flirting with 700 euros. Again, I missed something. One of the problems I run into is that they work mostly with a coordinated reservoir. A painted tank with a black stripe, which I will therefore have to either alter or imitate.
A lot of troubles, a large amount and an unsecured result quickly scare you away from choosing this solution. We forget!
Cost: more than 700 euros ...
Decoration style stickers
First of all, you can choose decal sets that are placed in strategic locations in the fairing. Decoration such as patches, more or less colorful, more or less brand-like, and not necessarily my taste.
You've certainly seen them before, Monster or RedBull-style decorative boards or representing high-end equipment brands or even brands in general. I could find Kawasaki stickers.
What is considered a small defect mask is not enough in terms of decoration. This allows me to indicate my studies and the areas that I want to cover.
First, the hoof. Just to protect it and because from a human, we would say it is a little more fragile than the rest of the fairing. Then the sides. And if I can, a little something on the back just to energize it.
Cost: depending on quality and quantity
Adhesive mesh
Can be peeled, as they say, through rollers of body adhesives. Aimed at trim, especially automotive trim, they form lines that can be pulled out and distorted. These adhesive meshes are not necessarily easy to install, create a certain relief due to their thickness, but hold well over time.
All car malls offer them, and there are many colors, especially several widths. On the other hand, it is not possible to select a boundary capable of fulfilling the task of protecting the hoof. There, you will have to rely on duct tape at the risk of inconsistency. Ideally, you should combine two methods: keeping the cover flat with a line of the same color, or using a color that enhances it. This option isn't too expensive and I put it in the corner of my head, waiting to find the best.
Striping is pleasant to perform, but it cannot cover large areas.
Third solution: vinyl rolls. There we introduce the "handle" itself. Large surface, cutting and above all delicate installation, making you not miss a single element, even if you take a lot of precautions. In case of a miss you must cut, start over: it cannot be moved.
Cost: from 3 euros for a small roll of 3, 6, 9 or 12 m width.
Racing Jewelry Set
I move on to a third party decoration kit completed and designed specifically for the Kawasaki ZX-6 R 636. Perfect solution, but overall expensive. This is due to the quality of the adhesives, their sharpness and ... a small profit from suppliers. However, they must have inventory, logistics, and we cannot blame them. I can only find one. And to be honest, it's over 300 euros. Not to mention the rather unflattering shopping site design, minimalist quality details. There are so many things that hold me back at least as much as the plaid hoof decoration is the only possible version.
By searching the Internet, I discover a site: the RSX Design site. I immediately fall in love with myself. On the one hand, it is modern, well-made and adaptive, but it has a "little" something more: its content! Finally, two more things when you factor in! Less than 200 euros now a complete fairing kit for a tracked motorcycle. I dig into the topic and discover the concept of Freecut. This is a genius blow for the brand.
Cost: from 18 euros for kit elements, 89 euros for an adaptable kit, 129 euros for a set specially
Individual set of stickers
We select our bundled items at € 89,90 excluding shipping or retail (€ 14,90 excluding shipping) depending on the item's location: tank, rear body, bubble, sides, mud flaps and so on. One of the complete Freecut kits (a board that includes all the elements) catches my attention. A Freecut Pro F1 set that suits my tastes and castes well.
Green wheels are perfect for this kit
The one I see first is black and red. And there is a surprise, there are some for white bases or black bases. Of course, untreated caterpillar tracks often have one or the other of these shades. Looking at the variations that are numerous every time within the kit, I come across a green / black perfect for Kawasaki. Perfect for my Kawasaki. Obviously it does not have a chiseled and slender bike shape, but ... There is potential!
Before ordering, I am looking for a contact. What do I find. Surprisingly, the French company is based in Aubanna. Awesome! I still have good news. Call later, I know everything.
Easy installation of stickers
The sets are made of polymer glue with a film coating and structured. The glue technology allows you to avoid making an air bubble and not moving it. Better yet, you can install without the need to moisten with soapy water on a dry and grease-free base, nonetheless. Raclet even comes with a kit!
Precision cutter expected: cutting will be done!
The kit is received! I give you the details: Colissimo, which loses the first batch, the second, which arrives longer than expected (Lentissima returned), in short, the usual difficulties, but there is a result. Quality too.
Anti-scratch, anti-UV radiation, the board is super complete. Printed on request, it can also be customized. How many promises! I'm enjoying myself at the moment. It smells good in every sense of the word.
So I go down to see the bike in the garage, wash it, get it ready, deploy the kit and ... I'm coming back!
I have to cut everything out, I have to pose with my head rested. To do this, I decided to disassemble the sides of the fairing in order to lie flat and as best as possible on the hoof.
Went! In a few minutes (I'm used to it now ...) the living room of my apartment looked like a corral. With excitement, I start by cleaning the neckline. Okay, I can do it. With small pieces of tape to hold the elements on the fairings, I make an empty assembly, grab the markers, fix the cut, cut with scissors and launch.
They didn't lie in RSX Design: it comes off easily from its support and sits very well. We even have the luxury of putting ourselves back in place if we miss ourselves a little. Awesome! Without fear, I smooth it with a raclette. Success. The only reliefs I see are those made with varnished blisters, which I have not seen. I go through my hand to feel a possible other roughness. This braille reading allows me to remove some volumes which are also smoothed out after the sticker is installed.
I am quickly satisfied with the result. The price / quality ratio of the kit is excellent. It remains to be seen if it delivers on its promises over time, but again, I have no particular doubts: over 2500 clients experience this every year and their opinions seem to be excellent. You tell me the donors are big consumers of the fairing, right? Let's say I discovered that Zarco was part of a client company: RSX Design equips its MotoGP ... Well, I'm not saying the kit will make me go faster, but at least it's beautiful.
After all, I do not put the tank and flank stripes. Due to lack of time and energy, I may be wrong; but especially the side stripe is too short for the surface to be covered. Therefore, I will have to use falls and especially brain juice to find the right solution.
Therefore, the final touch will be for later. And I would share this with you after a while. In the meantime, find out what a few thoughtful and well-felt touches to the head of a fork, mudguard, and hoof give. This is enough to give a visually pleasing result. The rest, we'll have to think about it in detail, think about it, cut it out, put it in place ... I feel like the summer is going to be busy. We are talking about this again.
