You Know What Grinds My Gears!!

[DD Slider]

I took my numbers matching 1983 FXWG, frame to a powder coater...He sand blasted the vin number off, he claims they are bearly readable also claims I should pay half the agreed and that I go fight my battles...???
What do I do...? He destroyed an antique...!

[BoomerBob]

Talk to your local DMV about getting a new tag. I know it's screwed up that the numbers were so poorly applied in the first place by Harley and the guy should have taped over it but you could put some tape on it too.

I'm not sure I would refer to an 83' anything as an antique. Classic maybe but not antique.

JMHO

[DD Slider]

Originally Posted by BoomerBob

Talk to your local DMV about getting a new tag. I know it's screwed up that the numbers were so poorly applied in the first place by Harley and the guy should have taped over it but you could put some tape on it too.

I'm not sure I would refer to an 83' anything as an antique. Classic maybe but not antique.

JMHO

OK...I'll give you that but in 25 years when I'm ready for that dirt nap it'll be an antique with a paughco frame...get my meaning...check around a mismatched motor/frame combo never bring as much as a matched set...

[newultraclassic]

Unless the person cleaning the frame for powdercoating uses something other than sand blasting with actual sand, I'd stay away from him. It's not necessary to destroy the underlying metal to do a decent powdercoating job. It could be chemically stripped or done lightly with glass bead or even walnut shells.

I've seen many, many vintage Harley frames at swap meets and elsewhere that were totally destroyed by a jerk with a sandblaster. once the numbers are blown away, the value is practically nil for restoration purposes. It also creates problems with the local DMV.

[Hillside]

Here in NY state, if it is a "yellow tag" build, the insurance also goes through the roof.
Scott

[v10ole]

When I blasted my frame I used glass bead because sand is to aggressive and etches the metal glass bead takes all the old stuff off and leaves the metal nice and smooth. The guy that did the sand blasting should have knowen better unless they are new to the business of doing such work. Buts thats no excuse. At the same time its allways a good idea to do your home work first and check out what you can, before you let anyone work on your scooter it allways pays in the end. Ole

[DD Slider]

OK...Here's the scoop...He had powered over the vin so heavy the numbers were virtually gone, I refused it at which point he took a wire brush to it, He called me and said...I really f...this thing up...I brought the frame back to the school were I emery cloth to it, and a pick to get as much powder as I could...right down to the metal, the numbers are readable but if I put any paint on it at all they are unreadable...solution...I'll leave it bear metal and shoot a touch of clear over it...it doesn't look "bad" and will probably please any LEO who feels the need to see it...
I'll admit I freaked when he called but alls well...
and I'll not take him my sheet metal, I'll use stripper...

[hivolt132]

color the vin in with white paint pen and wipe off the excess, and then use a new black magic marker to touch it up. go over the black several times, it should stay put.

[DD Slider]

Originally Posted by hivolt132

color the vin in with white paint pen and wipe off the excess, and then use a new black magic marker to touch it up. go over the black several times, it should stay put.

good idea...