Some where I think I've seen someone with that color combo already. And I'm pretty sure one of the "mock up" or test bikes was black/white....
As for OEM paint.... just a forwarning.... those color codes from PPG, are upper end colors that there are no Xover numbers to any other paint companies. They are considered "international" colors, and they are really expensive. 1 pint is gonna run your around 85 bux.
What painting I've done on X's, I've a good friend who works at one of the paint stores around here..... and he can mix anything. Has a great eye for it.....
And our OEM Black, is just black.... any paint company would have. It isn't anything special mixed.
Side note.... got an email yesterday that told of someone on the left coast is building a "Whitewood", and had all the tin powder coated.
Heard and seen quite a few X's now with the rivets ground off, or the brackest "tigged" onto the sheet metal. Really smooths up the look, and with the heavy layer of clear from the factory, some of the X's got rivet chips real early..... as for my consensus.... I like the look of removing the heads, nice and smooth.
I don't know your expense account, but here's an example from where I come from. Best buddy here in the flat lands bought a R/O. And his son is a custom painter. I told him not to paint his tin, and that if were going to do it, I'd buy the tin from him. Most of my reasoning was that the R/O are my favorite colors. He fell for it, and bought an extra set of tin. Which in turn his son painted.... very nice. If you want to go this way... lemme kno, I maybe able to find a source for another set of tin.... will be a bit pricey.
I don't know your painting skills, but take a good look at your tin. If those scuffs and scratches are not into the base coat, you'd be very surprised with what a coat of clear would do for it. Scuff, and spray.....
I've never removed an existing tank liner, but I'd think that would be the way to go, as the existing one if peeling would just keep going, and your work/money/time would be wasted. Not sure how to do that, but maybe there is a chemical way. Other wise, I personally would try a hand full of large washers, with a solvent. Anytime I'd go into my shop, I'd pick it up and shake it around for a while, probably take a while, but it'd eventually work. I'm in the process of restoring a Norton, and used this product:
http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=ARK-01 and very happy with it so far. And you could ask around to all these "liner" companies, they may also have an idea on how to remove an OEM liner.
Box spray liner materials are tough stuff. It wouldn't hurt nothing to coat those fenders. And would take away the cringe sound when the rocks fly thru....
As for valuation on our bikes as an investment, and just my 2 cents. Its way too early. My thoughts are the X's are not going to gain in value for quite a while yet. But with the current prices on ALL used motorcycles, and the current economy..... if I had money to burn, I'd be buying any X I could get my hands on for that "down the road" investment. But I'd probably wouldn't be around long enough to enjoy the profit.
Boy am I long winded at times....
