Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => Project Board => Topic started by: Ken4004 on November 06, 2024, 07:43:12 PM

Title: Question about tank decals
Post by: Ken4004 on November 06, 2024, 07:43:12 PM
I have just seen the advert from one of the sponsors selling the tank decals, I take it that once they are applied a clear coat can be applied over the top of the decals.

I wouldn’t want to dissolve or damage the decals by applying the clear coat after spending £60 and also the hassle of stripping them off again an cleaning up the tank.

Have there been any past posts showing the positioning dimensions and correct way to apply them ?
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Bryanj on November 06, 2024, 07:45:44 PM
Depends on what bike you are talking about!
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: taysidedragon on November 06, 2024, 07:50:50 PM
Depends on what bike you are talking about!

He's got a 400/4 Bryan.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Deano400 on November 06, 2024, 08:03:43 PM
I have this, can't remember where it came from so can't guarantee it's accuracy. Hopefully someone on here can comment.

[attach=1]
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 06, 2024, 08:14:26 PM
Yes, Redice, owned by our forum friend Diego, with his decals you lacquer over the top.
I'm nattering to Diego at the moment, he'll do you a great deal, I'll get him to PM you later.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 06, 2024, 08:57:45 PM
More importantly Redice is also a sohc sponsor so he puts money back into this site. A shame the likes of DS do not.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 06, 2024, 09:46:07 PM
More importantly Redice is also a sohc sponsor so he puts money back into this site. A shame the likes of DS do not.
I can't imagine David Silver giving his money away unnecessarily 😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 06, 2024, 10:07:57 PM
I don't see sponsorship as  giving money away I see it as an investment in a company's own future with a sound eye on long term growth whilst rewarding the market place that it supplies.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 06, 2024, 10:15:05 PM
I don't see sponsorship as  giving money away I see it as an investment in a company's own future with a sound eye on long term growth whilst rewarding the market place that it supplies.
David Silver is a forum member but he hasnt posted for over 10 years, that shows how interested he is in our little forum 😂😂😂😂
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 06, 2024, 10:31:50 PM
I have just seen the advert from one of the sponsors selling the tank decals, I take it that once they are applied a clear coat can be applied over the top of the decals.

I wouldn’t want to dissolve or damage the decals by applying the clear coat after spending £60 and also the hassle of stripping them off again an cleaning up the tank.

Have there been any past posts showing the positioning dimensions and correct way to apply them ?

Hello, I could help you with  your decals, what you need exactly??
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: AshimotoK0 on November 07, 2024, 12:32:46 AM
I don't see sponsorship as  giving money away I see it as an investment in a company's own future with a sound eye on long term growth whilst rewarding the market place that it supplies.
David Silver is a forum member but he hasnt posted for over 10 years, that shows how interested he is in our little forum 😂😂😂😂

To be fair Julie it was me who  got him to join and I was pretty pleased about it at the time. But he got a load of abuse about his postage prices, so he  voted with his feet. P*ssed me off a bit at the time that.

Piki's decals are great .... I used some only today on my CB250RSA project. He does a good deal for members here too.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 07, 2024, 03:58:46 AM
There is no reason to put clear over your decals on your 400 four. The factory did not do it and most of them look great 50 years later.
Pic of mine I refinished earlier this year.
When striping the original tank and side covers the decals came off intact with a heat gun.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: AshimotoK0 on November 07, 2024, 07:51:41 AM
There is no reason to put clear over your decals on your 400 four. The factory did not do it and most of them look great 50 years later.
Pic of mine I refinished earlier this year.
When striping the original tank and side covers the decals came off intact with a heat gun.

I had this debate before but my Varnish Blue tank is original and never repainted and the decals are cleared over. That's possibly why they are not listed as a separate part in all of the Parts Books I have ever seen. Different story with the side panel decals which were not cleared over and were listed in the parts book.

In the 1980's I did buy some genuine tank decals with Honda ---377---- part numbers from Fowlers of Bristol but lost the part number as it was written in back of my diary for 1986, which is long gone. Honda must have introduced them as painters would need them to fix damaged tanks.

Personally, with modern fuel I would always clear over decals with fuel resistant 2K clear. I painted another CB400F tank  earlier this year and used Piki's decals and they were spot on.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Ken4004 on November 07, 2024, 08:58:22 AM
Hi Piki and everyone for their advice, I am looking for the tank and side panel decals for a Honda cb 400 four in Parakeet Yellow see photo attached.
The bike I am restoring was originally Antares Red but I decided to change it to the yellow during the rebuilt.
The paint finish was done by a friend at work on the company spray shop and the finish had a slight orange peel but my friend said I could flatten it by using a 3000 grit paper and then polish so that’s what I am going to do.
I wanted to add the lacquer for added protection but if the group think this is not necessary then I won’t bother.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 07, 2024, 09:21:01 AM
I can't see why anyone wouldn't clear coat over the tank decals. If, over time, they started lifting, a new set of decals would be needed, so it's a false economy not to apply lacquer in the first place.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 07, 2024, 12:52:13 PM
If the decals are quality vinyl and applied correctly they should never peel . I have never seen a factory decal fail.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 07, 2024, 12:59:40 PM
Hi Piki and everyone for their advice, I am looking for the tank and side panel decals for a Honda cb 400 four in Parakeet Yellow see photo attached.
The bike I am restoring was originally Antares Red but I decided to change it to the yellow during the rebuilt.
The paint finish was done by a friend at work on the company spray shop and the finish had a slight orange peel but my friend said I could flatten it by using a 3000 grit paper and then polish so that’s what I am going to do.
I wanted to add the lacquer for added protection but if the group think this is not necessary then I won’t bother.

Perfect, send me a private message and we'll talk. In any case, I always advise lacquering the stickers, no matter how good they are, it adds protection against possible scratches, scuffs, etc., I think they have many more advantages than disadvantages.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 07, 2024, 01:00:27 PM
I can't see why anyone wouldn't clear coat over the tank decals. If, over time, they started lifting, a new set of decals would be needed, so it's a false economy not to apply lacquer in the first place.

Totally agree
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 07, 2024, 01:03:49 PM
There is no reason to put clear over your decals on your 400 four. The factory did not do it and most of them look great 50 years later.
Pic of mine I refinished earlier this year.
When striping the original tank and side covers the decals came off intact with a heat gun.

I had this debate before but my Varnish Blue tank is original and never repainted and the decals are cleared over. That's possibly why they are not listed as a separate part in all of the Parts Books I have ever seen. Different story with the side panel decals which were not cleared over and were listed in the parts book.

In the 1980's I did buy some genuine tank decals with Honda ---377---- part numbers from Fowlers of Bristol but lost the part number as it was written in back of my diary for 1986, which is long gone. Honda must have introduced them as painters would need them to fix damaged tanks.

Personally, with modern fuel I would always clear over decals with fuel resistant 2K clear. I painted another CB400F tank  earlier this year and used Piki's decals and they were spot on.

That's something curious, it is very difficult to find original Honda stickers for their Four models, I am always searching the internet and I have never found any except for the ones on the side covers......However, it is quite "easy" to find stickers originals of other legendary models such as Kawa Triples, Yamaha RD... I don't know why it is not possible to find original stickers for the Honda Four models....
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Bryanj on November 07, 2024, 01:14:24 PM
Dont know about originals but a well known US firm was stopped from advertising Honda decals by Honda US, they are still on the website if you know where to look just not easily visible, i asked Honda UK years ago if i could scan manuals for sale to owners like us and was told at the time that if its out of print and we cant supply a photocopy no problem
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 07, 2024, 01:53:35 PM
Hi Piki and everyone for their advice, I am looking for the tank and side panel decals for a Honda cb 400 four in Parakeet Yellow see photo attached.
The bike I am restoring was originally Antares Red but I decided to change it to the yellow during the rebuilt.
The paint finish was done by a friend at work on the company spray shop and the finish had a slight orange peel but my friend said I could flatten it by using a 3000 grit paper and then polish so that’s what I am going to do.
I wanted to add the lacquer for added protection but if the group think this is not necessary then I won’t bother.

Perfect, send me a private message and we'll talk. In any case, I always advise lacquering the stickers, no matter how good they are, it adds protection against possible scratches, scuffs, etc., I think they have many more advantages than disadvantages.

Are you spraying Laquer over the entire tank?
I am a little confused on why we are choosing Laquer?
I could see putting a couple coats of polyurethane  enamel to sandwich in the decals. 
Please clarity this application
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 07, 2024, 05:51:23 PM
Dont know about originals but a well known US firm was stopped from advertising Honda decals by Honda US, they are still on the website if you know where to look just not easily visible, i asked Honda UK years ago if i could scan manuals for sale to owners like us and was told at the time that if its out of print and we cant supply a photocopy no problem

I know the company and I know the history and indeed, years ago Honda also wanted to sue me if I did not remove the advertisements where either the logo or the word Honda appeared (which is what they have registered) for that reason I do not advertise the Honda Stencils ...
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Piki on November 07, 2024, 05:55:05 PM
Hi Piki and everyone for their advice, I am looking for the tank and side panel decals for a Honda cb 400 four in Parakeet Yellow see photo attached.
The bike I am restoring was originally Antares Red but I decided to change it to the yellow during the rebuilt.
The paint finish was done by a friend at work on the company spray shop and the finish had a slight orange peel but my friend said I could flatten it by using a 3000 grit paper and then polish so that’s what I am going to do.
I wanted to add the lacquer for added protection but if the group think this is not necessary then I won’t bother.
A more professional finish is to apply a layer of lacquer to the stickers, in addition to enhancing the colors, they add extra protection, as is logical. If you are a purist and do not want to lacquer them there would be no problem BUT logically the life of the stickers and their colors would be shorter. However, I can apply a "protection" layer, there is no problem with that, but I recommend lacquering them to have peace of mind.


Perfect, send me a private message and we'll talk. In any case, I always advise lacquering the stickers, no matter how good they are, it adds protection against possible scratches, scuffs, etc., I think they have many more advantages than disadvantages.

Are you spraying Laquer over the entire tank?
I am a little confused on why we are choosing Laquer?
I could see putting a couple coats of polyurethane  enamel to sandwich in the decals. 
Please clarity this application
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Seabeowner on November 07, 2024, 07:29:36 PM
Hi Piki and everyone for their advice, I am looking for the tank and side panel decals for a Honda cb 400 four in Parakeet Yellow see photo attached.
The bike I am restoring was originally Antares Red but I decided to change it to the yellow during the rebuilt.
The paint finish was done by a friend at work on the company spray shop and the finish had a slight orange peel but my friend said I could flatten it by using a 3000 grit paper and then polish so that’s what I am going to do.
I wanted to add the lacquer for added protection but if the group think this is not necessary then I won’t bother.

Perfect, send me a private message and we'll talk. In any case, I always advise lacquering the stickers, no matter how good they are, it adds protection against possible scratches, scuffs, etc., I think they have many more advantages than disadvantages.

Are you spraying Laquer over the entire tank?
I am a little confused on why we are choosing Laquer?
I could see putting a couple coats of polyurethane  enamel to sandwich in the decals. 
Please clarity this application
Maybe this is a language problem. By lacquer, we just mean clear coat.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Menno on November 07, 2024, 10:14:47 PM
Originally Honda clear coated all their tanks over the decals.
The clear is however often very thin. If you don't know what to look for you might miss it.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: AshimotoK0 on November 07, 2024, 11:17:40 PM
Originally Honda clear coated all their tanks over the decals.
The clear is however often very thin. If you don't know what to look for you might miss it.

I agree Menno ... I don't think they cleared over the 'Preserve Nature always wear a safety helmet' decal though.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 08, 2024, 12:35:06 AM
Originally Honda clear coated all their tanks over the decals.
The clear is however often very thin. If you don't know what to look for you might miss it.

The 76 super sport  decals have sharp edges an there is no clear over them.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 08, 2024, 12:39:11 AM
Definitely on the 75 550k graphics there is clear over these. You can see the outline about 3mm out. Where that clear stops.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Ken4004 on November 08, 2024, 11:58:02 AM
Hi Ozzybud

How many bikes have you got in your garage and do you ride them all  ?  If so do you have an insurance policy that covered all your bikes ?

Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 08, 2024, 02:00:04 PM
Hi Ozzybud

How many bikes have you got in your garage and do you ride them all  ?  If so do you have an insurance policy that covered all your bikes ?
He lives in Australia Ken 😁😁😁, so maybe insurances are a bit different there.
There are plenty of UK based companies offering multi bike policies though, if that's what you are enquiring about.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 08, 2024, 04:38:18 PM
Hi Ozzybud

How many bikes have you got in your garage and do you ride them all  ?  If so do you have an insurance policy that covered all your bikes ?

I live in seattle Washington and I use a broker named Vern fonk and the insurance company is Dairyland. It's a broad form that covers any bike I ride. It only costs $150  a year

I retired 5 years from the Boeing company and decided to up my collection of honda bikes. I'm up to 11 now. They are all in running and riding condition i ride them all the time..

People ask what I do in retirement and I say bike and car restoration and burn a lot of fuel.(we can get non ethanol here)
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Ken4004 on November 08, 2024, 05:24:29 PM
That sounds like a great retirement, I have done a lot of work for Boeing in various countries I worked for a flight simulator manufacturer as a commissioning engineer so have been out to Seattle a few times and visited server all of their simulator training centres installing simulators and repairing faults.

What did you do at Boeing ?

I have been watching with interest about the layoffs at Boeing recently the workers are having a tough time at the moment.
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 08, 2024, 05:50:32 PM
That sounds like a great retirement, I have done a lot of work for Boeing in various countries I worked for a flight simulator manufacturer as a commissioning engineer so have been out to Seattle a few times and visited server all of their simulator training centres installing simulators and repairing faults.

What did you do at Boeing ?

I have been watching with interest about the layoffs at Boeing recently the workers are having a tough time at the moment.

I was an NC programmer and 5 axis laser cutter operator.

I started there when i was 20 and retired on my 55th birthday.

The Company is definitely struggling lately. hope they keep my monthly pension check coming
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Nurse Julie on November 08, 2024, 06:52:22 PM
Hi Ozzybud

How many bikes have you got in your garage and do you ride them all  ?  If so do you have an insurance policy that covered all your bikes ?
He lives in Australia Ken 😁😁😁, so maybe insurances are a bit different there.
There are plenty of UK based companies offering multi bike policies though, if that's what you are enquiring about.
Apologies, USA ☺️☺️☺️
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: ozzybud on November 08, 2024, 07:29:55 PM
Hi Ozzybud

How many bikes have you got in your garage and do you ride them all  ?  If so do you have an insurance policy that covered all your bikes ?
He lives in Australia Ken 😁😁😁, so maybe insurances are a bit different there.
There are plenty of UK based companies offering multi bike policies though, if that's what you are enquiring about.
Apologies, USA ☺️☺️☺️

Thank you Julie ,, No offense taken... my screen name suggests Ozzy land of Oz

Last name Osborne is all.. nickname forever

Chris
Title: Re: Question about tank decals
Post by: Ken4004 on November 09, 2024, 09:20:57 PM
Sorry Ozzybud I was thrown by location Washington Pacific USA