WWII themed motorcycle “Flying tiger” (pic heavy) [Archive]

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:53

He team,
I just thought I would share my latest project with you; I’ve painted up my street bike in a WWII Flying tigers theme.

Quick back story.
One of my fav hobbies is airbrushing, I got ok at it and really like to paint up WWII nose art, here’s some of my past projects, Yes I’m just laying a foundation ;)

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_6841-5.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_9252-6.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_9256-3.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_9258-4.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_9376.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_9483.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/computer/IMG_1383.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/computer/IMG_1391.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:53

So I’ve always wanted to do a “Flying tiger” theme project and as luck had it I managed to pick up a 1998 YZF 600 for $500 of Craig’s list.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1484.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1487.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1489.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1490.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1491.jpg

Of course for $500 it need a LOT of work, it hadn’t started in over 5 years and need tons of TLC. So I went out shopping and got the following (tires, plugs, brakes, chain, oil, battery, etc, etc.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1516.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1531.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1517.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:54

Once I got it running and was able to drive it around to ensure the trans, motor, etc work ok I stripped it down and start on the bodywork.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1512.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1513.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1515.jpg

Then I started on repairing all of the plastics. They have defiantly seen better days. Hahhaaa..

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1558.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1566.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1576.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1586.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1587.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:54

I ended up just welding back the plastic back together and filled it in with spot putty.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1577.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1572.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1585.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1589.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:55

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1592.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1598.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1708.jpg

Once I had the body work under control, It was time to update the suspension.

I changed out the old forks for some 2002 R1 “inverted” forks

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1644.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1629.jpg

And upgraded the rear to 2007 r6

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0069.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:55

Now it was time to prime and lay down my basecoat and see how it looks.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0089.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0090.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0138-1.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0118.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0117.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:56

Here are a few before and after shoots:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1705.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0016.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_1607.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0050.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0010.jpg

Just starting to have some fun here 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0099.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:56

Now it was time to really make some forward progress.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0028.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0095.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0098.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0101.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0110-1.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:57

At this point I’m really liking where this is going so I continue on:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0127.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0134.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0137.jpg

I also do a little shopping a find a helmet that I don’t have to paint (SCORE)!.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0132.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:57

Now its time see what it going to look like:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0144.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0145.jpg

Pretty cool IMO so I start on the kill sings:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0152.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0153.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0166.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0168.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0173.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0175.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0176.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:58

So after showing some pics to some close friends I was advised that I need to repaint the tank, I made the kills signs to big and some people might not know what they represent, so after some deep thought I decided to start over.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0197.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0198.jpg

While I was coming up with a new design for the tank I decided to start on my rear cowling:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0205.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0207.jpg

And finish up Killroy ;)

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0264.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:58

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0275.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0259.jpg

Decided on a new tank theme and went for it. ;)

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0273.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0272.jpg

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 20:59

So after 4 -5 weeks of long weekends and nights I was able to finish it up. Here’s what I ended up with: IMO one bad azz Flying Tiger!.. 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0306.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0313.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0317.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0337.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0347.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0328.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii195/TDC57/Yanaha%201999/IMG_0354.jpg

Thank you for your time and have a great week everyone

Link

David Thomas

08-12-12, 21:08

Awesome job!

jwfuhrman

08-12-12, 21:28

thats just freaking outstanding.

I'm wanting to repaint my 2010 Wrangler in WWII OD(not the Nam' OD which is a different greenish color). Put the stars on the doors and what not. I have a picture of the "nose art" of the Sherman that my grand father says saved him and his buddies just after Normandy. Story goes they were just out side of Caen when they were ambushed by Germans. Said they were out numbered, running low on 30cal linked ammo for their machine guns, and running low on rifle and tompson ammo, when this loan Sherman busted thru a hedge row and took out some key German positions pinning them down and let them escape.

I want to put that on my Jeep as a way of honoring my grandpa and as a way of saying thanks to the tankers for saving him.

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 21:29

Hey thanks.. I'm glad you like it.. :D

ALCOAR

08-12-12, 21:29

Speechless....you sir are a real man of genius!

The most impressive thing is that you appear to be a jack of all trades...i.e. mechanical, and artistic.

I also agree on the kill signs being Jap ones over Nazi ones...to many ignorant people out there for one of them not to try and key your prized position, or worse.

Linkpimp

08-12-12, 21:42

Hay thank you and YES, there are far to many sheep out there who wont know what German kill signs stand for.. they would take it wrong way and it’s just not worth it IMO..

Thank you again for your time and kind words

Link

feedramp

08-12-12, 22:52

That shotgun is tits. And the motorcycle looks really cool. Glad you redid the rising suns and swastikas. Definitely would get a lot of confusion from those the way they were done originally.

Redmanfms

08-13-12, 00:21

Group markings from a Chinese outfit manned by American mercenaries replete with kill flags on a Japanese motorcycle. You sir, have a fantastic sense of irony, and great skill with a spray gun.