Custom F3-T Painted Engine Bars $5.95 - Mike Mas
Ok, I have to confess - every time I see a F3-S and witness those pretty painted bars running through the engine compartment, it makes me so damn jealous my F3-T does not have that same look. With this in mind, I finally decided to do something about it and paint my engine bars on my F3-T.
My first project was to run down to my local Auto Zone and get a can of Dupli-color paint to match my beautiful metallic red. After looking over on what it would take to paint the bars, I found out to do it right, I would have to remove a number of components.
You’ll begin by removing the two main body panels - this is accomplished by removing 4 hex screws and three plastic retainers as shown in the images. There is a hook that slides in a recess at the front make sure you get this positioned correctly.
Next, you’ll need to remove the four end caps, use caution when re-installing them, i would recommend starting them by hand to prevent cross-threading. I removed the the front pulley plastic cover to include the cover on the other side as well.
Next, you’ll have to remove the the two front pegs or in my case the floorboards. Depending if you have an Auto or Manual transmission, the pegs and controls (brake / shifter) make sure you note which hole your pegs are mounted to so when you reassemble the pegs the linkage will be positioned correctly.
On the lower bars you can pull the bars out a bit since they are hinged which makes it easier to paint. Lately, you’ll want to remove the two splash guards on the forward portion of the lower bars. Note there is four hex screws one is hidden, so make sure you loosen it to get them off the bars.
From here you you need to prepare (clean) the bars, hopefully you didn’t wax them or you have to clean or sand them to prevent paint problems. On mine, I just used alcohol since the original paint texture was a bit course so the paint stuck well.
On my bars, I put around 5 thin coats of paint rather than a few heavy coats - Once you finish painting your four bars - you just put all the goodies back on and presto - your bike now has a unique fresh new look!
Enjoy Mike Mas
www.rotory.com
Ok, I have to confess - every time I see a F3-S and witness those pretty painted bars running through the engine compartment, it makes me so damn jealous my F3-T does not have that same look. With this in mind, I finally decided to do something about it and paint my engine bars on my F3-T.
My first project was to run down to my local Auto Zone and get a can of Dupli-color paint to match my beautiful metallic red. After looking over on what it would take to paint the bars, I found out to do it right, I would have to remove a number of components.
You’ll begin by removing the two main body panels - this is accomplished by removing 4 hex screws and three plastic retainers as shown in the images. There is a hook that slides in a recess at the front make sure you get this positioned correctly.
Next, you’ll need to remove the four end caps, use caution when re-installing them, i would recommend starting them by hand to prevent cross-threading. I removed the the front pulley plastic cover to include the cover on the other side as well.
Next, you’ll have to remove the the two front pegs or in my case the floorboards. Depending if you have an Auto or Manual transmission, the pegs and controls (brake / shifter) make sure you note which hole your pegs are mounted to so when you reassemble the pegs the linkage will be positioned correctly.
On the lower bars you can pull the bars out a bit since they are hinged which makes it easier to paint. Lately, you’ll want to remove the two splash guards on the forward portion of the lower bars. Note there is four hex screws one is hidden, so make sure you loosen it to get them off the bars.
From here you you need to prepare (clean) the bars, hopefully you didn’t wax them or you have to clean or sand them to prevent paint problems. On mine, I just used alcohol since the original paint texture was a bit course so the paint stuck well.
On my bars, I put around 5 thin coats of paint rather than a few heavy coats - Once you finish painting your four bars - you just put all the goodies back on and presto - your bike now has a unique fresh new look!
Enjoy Mike Mas
www.rotory.com
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hyea: :yes: :bowdown: :2thumbs: :thumbup: :firstplace:
