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Message started by Gary_in_NJ on 02/11/17 at 11:15:54

Title: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/11/17 at 11:15:54

It's time to order hoops for my DRZ project. Dave had a good suggestion (of course) to powder coat my wheel hubs. There is a local guy that does them for $45 each. But the question is, silver or black.

I've never owned a bike with blacked laced wheels, but I do think they look rather cool. But are black wheels just a current fad?

So do I order "conservative" chrome hoops and powder coat silver, or go bold and go black on black? I'm quite torn on this?

Opinions?

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by engineer on 02/11/17 at 11:41:16

I suspect it is a fad but I believe it will be around for some time. As you know many manufacturers have picked up on it and they may like it because it is cheaper than chrome plating steel. Also, powder coated aluminum may stay looking good longer than polished aluminum with a clear coat.

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/11/17 at 12:03:39

Unless something is done that improves function, it's a fad.
Powder coating affects the equipment. A properly prepared, smoothed out, hub, powder coated, will clean up easier. It's an improvement, in that way. Color would be a choice,, either go with the current What's Cool or with what will look best with the paint or the closest to the color of aluminium.
I'm still trying to understand why people think skulls are so cool. Those balaclavas that look like the face of a skeleton?
I'm sure a three year old in the back seat of a car at a red light would think it's just really cool.
If I was spending the money I'd probably go silver on the hub, and spokes and rim that hold up better than ours. It's impossible to get these spokes looking good and the chrome on a Savage just isn't the best. It's a low buck bike, I like them, but they are what they are..
A good close look at the finish on the rear hub is enough to demonstrate the attitude of the manufacturer.
They spent the money on building a bike that will run and last if it's maintained.

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by xaman on 02/11/17 at 15:48:49

I do like black on black, so that's what I did with my savage wheels/hubs/spokes. My absolute favorite is black hubs, rims, spokes, with a chrome or silver nipple.

But here's a couple thoughts for your consideration:

Black "looks" dirty quicker than silver. One dusty gravel mile and the black is now a dull grey, but the silver/chrome just looks a little less glossy.

When it's clean, the gloss black looks really really nice.

So just my opinion -- if you keep your bike clean, to gloss black. If you hate cleaning, go silver and chrome.

Final thought --- black can easily be overdone. You will want some contrast. So what do you intend for the engine casings, forks, swingarm etc...

I'm very much looking forward to following your DRZ build!

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by Ruttly on 02/11/17 at 16:15:57

I like polished aluminum , however from the looks in that pic on original post I think black would look best. Black looks mean , the criminal element,
Kinda evil. Yeah I say BLACK ! >:(

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by old_rider on 02/11/17 at 16:25:33

My new fav is copper rim and hub with black spokes.

Title: Re: Rim/Wheel Color
Post by Dave on 02/12/17 at 05:01:05

Black rims may be a fad.....but it is an "old" fad reborn. I was at a friends house last night, and he had an HRD (Vincent) Black Shadow in his shop that he was working on.....the black rims and black hubs look really nice on that bike. The whole color scheme on those bikes is black/silver with gold lettering on the tank.......really nice. All rims on early motorcycles were painted....some were painted the same as the body color.

I do agree the silver colors don't show dirt as quickly - but that is really only an issue if you are going to be a "clean freak" about the bike. Normal riding won't get it dirty very quickly - if you ride on dirt roads or get caught in the rain....black rims will show the dirt more. MY TM125 motocross bike had black hubs and silver rims.....and that looked fine on that bike. Silver/silver and black/black also looks good when it is incorporated into the color scheme of the bike.

The "cast aluminum" powder coat has a somewhat flat surface, and I wonder if the color is durable or will absorb stains into the surface. It is very similar to the finish used on the early silver Savage engine cases and the pulley hub.