Using Anodised Bolts To Customising A Bike

If you are restoring your bike, you may have seen or heard about anodised bolts but have been wondering what all the talk is about. Maybe you would like to know what colour you can get anodised nuts and bolts in, or what type of metal they are available in. Hopefully this post will clarify some of your questions regarding anodised nuts and bolts.

The main decision to make is what metal the nuts and bolts should be purchased in. If you are looking for anodised fasteners your choices are limited toaluminium and titanium. This is due to the fact that not all materials can be anodised.

If the nuts and bolts is to be used in high impact applications such as brakes or suspension mounts, Titanium should be chosen as it has a better tensile strength. If you are fastening chain guards or the petrol cap for example, aluminium bolts could be used.

The other important consideration when picking the type of anodised bolts is the colours that are available in the different metals. Normally aluminium bolts will have a wider range of colours than the Titanium alternatives. This should however not interfere with your safety considerations, if the required colour is not available in Titanium for a high high impact application, you better to opt for a silver or alternative available colour in Titanium or stainless steel.

Other people may wish to avoid bolts that are anodised a colour and opt for the normal silver ones. This is especially true when doing original restorations or similar motorcycles. Even in this case, the plain silver anodised fasteners will have an advantage over original mild steel bolts, and that is they do not rust or tarnish.

Rust is not an issue using fasteners that are anodised because of the specialised chemical process they are put through. With out discussing the process of anodising, the parts are put into a chemical solution with electricity flowing through the solution and parts. This process also chemically hardens and seals the metal, which is why it will not show signs of rust or tarnishing.

Applying vinyl decals to your motorcycle

Applying vinyl decals to your motorcycle might seem like a dark art, but it is really simple if you follow this guide. Before we get started lets have a look at some of the tools that will be required to apply the vinyl decals to your motorcycle.

• Dish washing soap or similar
• Squirt bottle (old cleaning liquid dispenser works great)
• Soft cloth
• Scissors
• scalpel blade (or pin if you cant get hold of a scalpel)
• Measuring tap and long steel ruler
• Felt backed applicator (you can use anything that is firm but wont damage the paint work)
• Heat gun (or hair dryer if you dont have access to a heat gun)
• Your motorcycle decals

Once you have all the required tools you will need to clear a space to work in and have the above tools relatively close by. If the motorbike has not been recently painted its best to give it a was and make sure any dirt and grime has been removed so the decals will adhere properly. Now is also the time to mix the soap in the squirt bottle that will later be used to help place the vinyl decals in the correct place. Only a tiny amount of soap is required, barely enough to even feel soapy in your hands. Around half to one tea spoon per 500ml of water should be enough depending on the type of liquid soap used.

If the design of your decals is layered and the supplier has not layered them for you, you should arrange them from the bottom layer to the top. This will make it easy to see which stickers go where. If you are working inside it may be a good idea to place the various stickers around your motorcycle so that you will have a good idea where each one will go. This will also help identify if any of your motorcycles decals are missing.

You should now be ready to start placing the decals on the motorcycle. When working with a design that is duplicated on both sides of the motorcycle, it is better to do both sides at the same time. As you place one decal on the one side, place the corresponding decal on the opposite side.

When working with smaller decals like sponsor logos, upto about 200mm, and there are no curves and bends to navigate, it is best to not use any of the soapy liquid. The smaller decals are easy enough to place on flat to slightly curved surfaces. Once you have the spot the decal will be placed on, remove the backing and carefully place it on the motorcycle. Before pushing it down permanently make sure that it is straight and in the correct spot as they are near impossible to remove with out being stretched and damaged.

For larger decals you will need to give them a good spraying with the soapy water that was mixed earlier. Carefully remove the backing from the decal, making sure to not get any dust on the sticky side. Once the decal has had the soap applied to it, you will be able to place it on the motorcycle in the proximate position. Accuracy is not required as the soapy liquid will stop it from adhering properly to the motorcycle. You are now able to adjust its final positioning by moving it around until you are happy.

Once you have the vinyl decal placed in the correct position, its time to remove any remaining soapy liquid and air bubbles that are remaining. Using the felt backed application squeegee or similar tool you are using, push the air and soap out from the middle using a slow sweeping motion. If you are working around sharp bends or curves it helps to use the heat gun to make the vinyl soft. You must be careful though as the vinyl can easily be melted. Do small sections at a time working from the centre towards the outsides. If there are any stubborn bubbles do not try and force them or you may damage the vinyl.

Should you be left with any bubbles after using the squeegee use the scalpel blade or pin to carefully prick a small hole at the edge of the bubble. Then using the squeegee push the bubble from the opposite side towards the small hole you just made. This will get any reaming air bubbles and liquid soap out.

If you follow the same ideas around the bike, you should have all the decals on in no time at all. For a first time application you could expect to spend an afternoon applying the decals to your motorcycle depending on how complicated the design is. Take your time applying the decals and the results can be very rewarding.