Enclosed is a step by step walk thru outlining a project to digital desert camouflage a KLR650. I have seen several camo style bikes. The USMC adopted the KLR650 as it's primary motorcycle. The USMC version is shown below: The USMC KLR I start all projects with a review of the components to be removed and modified There are multiple techniques to apply camouflage. 1. Paint 2. Vinyl graphic decal I attempted to paint the bike one part/section at a time. I started with a mirror and front brake hub. To paint digital desert graphic the process is as follows: 1. Remove and mask component 2. Degrease and clean with alcohol 3. skuff part with 220 grit sandpaper metallic, 400 grit for plastic part 4. Primer 2x coats for metallic part, no primer for plastic part 5. Paint with light color first Krylon fusion khaki 2-3 coats 6. get female type digital template decal sticker (from e-bay) mask the item roto hub shown adding stickers to mirror paint with next darker color, mirror shown krylon darker flat camouflage color decals after usage, they are reusable....At this point I realized this is not going to work...The process is too time consuming and the results are marginal....So on to plan B I ordered couple digital desert sheets from www.powersportswraps.com, they are shown below next to real digital desert camo 3M material peal back and apply like a sticker, still not really happy with the pattern. So, on to a plan C I ordered some double sided carpet tape from Lowes, Mildew resistant, very sticky....about the same as high quality duct tape added a small swatch to the hood of my CRV....Held up well over 8 months thru 6 washes, lots of various weather I ordered 10 yards of 100% nylon digital desert camouflage for $20 from e-bay. I ended up using about 70% of the material. I also ended up using about 6 rolls of carpet take, About 70% of the visable bike is covered in the camo cloth, 25% is painted in either Khaki (Krylon fusion ultra flat camouflage) or sand color for the high temp parts. About 5% is not pained, wheels, valve stems and such Apply the double sided tape to the camo cloth, Use a heat gun to wick the adhesive into the nylon fibers, I also used a roller (shown later) to press the tape up against the fabric. peal back tape protection layer with Exacto knife I ended up consuming about 100 blades Exacto blade # 11 works best peal back layer lay part on top and keep creases to minimum, unfortunatly one the tape touches the part, it is very difficult to re-position work thru, in this case, a part of the front fender like so, full coverage use Exacto to trim excess trim out all holes use heat gun to drape cloth and tape to form tight to contour finished part use soldering iron to cauterize the trim lines after soldering iron to edge, keeps from fraying the ends fork brace parts completed headlight guard covered headlight guard after trim turn signal let tape connect, not lap over trim back with scissors trim edge finished turn signal, part paint part camo turn signal attached to headlight guard dissemble dash mask dask sand ready for paint couple of coats fork brace skid plate for fork guard, the tape does not stick, so I'll use a 3M adhesive spray for rubber stretch out the rubber fork guard and apply the cloth with adhesive, allow to dry, the cloth adheres very well paint other parts prep front faring front faring back side of faring front forks wrap around fabric contact ends together trim ends small seam exposed front end running lights and fender dash area finished front area checking swatches on bike..... To be continued.......... Keithm
As allways your projects are outstading, but you do reilize you will lose your bike and never find it now. bete.
That`s a hell of a lot of work,but it looks awesome. All that trouble to make others think their digital cameras are faulty.
The fuel tank removed from the bike drain the fuel remove the fuel cap, mark the major direction of up/down as the camo patter should be aligned vertically and horizontally. gross cut the size needed. I'll use 3x sections to envelop the tank start on side trim edges as you go side view 1st layer added protector back on sticky layer, don't want to press down yet, will form a seam at the tank crease add additional top layer, match the exposed layers together allow to contact press together trim flash paint exhaust guard and tank guards clean, scuff (with 220 grit sand paper), prime engine and exhaust with high temp primer paint engine with high temp stove paint, sand color paint carb, and exhaust close-up of paint on engine exhaust standoff view of progress camo the tank guard bags, I used a 3M adhesive finished left bag need to mount the bag here size the mounting panel needed trim as needed de-burr edges good fit quick check fit...A-ok interior bag bracket, tap 4 mm hole to support mounting bracket fits like so.. Camo the mounting panel both sides trim flash attach mounting plate on bike, with heavy duty cable ties bolt bags to bike mounting panel Tank faring engine paint job paint steel horn...notice the high pressure line. I separated the actual horn from the air source the air horn mounted here front view high temp paint used sand color fuse box shown front view top of tank installed front view with lights on progress so far side view To be continued....... Keithm
side panel trim edges edge sample side panel on bike and overall progress Rear parts off for paint prep sanded rear foot pegs painted parts painted exhaust rear wheel cleaned, sanded, masked, ready for primer rear wheel after paint remove masking on rear wheel painted wheel rear brake line covered finished rear brake system primer swing arm misc parts painted rear rack, I seemed to get better at keeping the fabric applied without creases as I went underside view looks good set-up for panniers just flip on material, best to use a single piece flip again camo pannier lock pannier lock before and after pannier cables...lower line = 12v line to power phone, ipod and heated clothes, upper line to control heated gloves and jacket inside pannier swing arm view back view pannier lock, turn signals, plate frame, extended fender, and rack shown right side view underside view seat...draped with 3x sections Right side pannier front view left side view left side pannier, knobs control heated gloves and jacket front offset view dash view left side view ready to ride...notice I have a 2" drop kit Enjoy Keithm
#1 - I like it, took bawlz and imagination to do that to your bike. #2 - I'm curious to see what it looks like after a few months in rain, mud, road debris, chain grease etc. But the patch on your car still looked good so maybe it will look like new also. #3 - How do you like your windsheild addition? I've been thinking about ordering that thing.
Yeah I don't get it either. you took a good looking bike and with alot of work made it look worse. And why wear a florescent vest on a camo bike? I do however appreciate the skill and determination it took to do this. I'm not trying to be negative, just keeping it real.
I like it. Vinal wrap may have been a cheaper choice for some of the stuff. But there is a major problem with camo. It works. That things a death trap on the street now.
And then ring your insurance company and show them what you've done, and see if they still want to insure you?