looking for help with western theme bike

[mr fixit]

I want to paint my bike, Vstar 1100. I have an idea, and know the theme I want but I don't know how to get there.

First of all, i'm not into flames or skulls or most of the other themes on bikes I see all over the place. I not only want something different, but something more reflective of me.

I want the bike to make people think "modern day cowboy", or maybe its "western" or something along those lines. I want it to bring to mind

• wide open spaces, not city streets
• individual, not a group rider
• individual not 2 up rider

I plan on veg tanned leather seat and saddle bags, very much like a western saddle and bags.
I'm thinking of maybe artwork on the tank, maybe a wrap or custom paint like a G Harvey painting.
I'm not into fringe on the bike.

Closest I can put it is if John Wayne rode a bike today, what would it look like?

taking any and all suggestions

Mr Fixit

 

[TAZ]

Sounds like you're pretty set on what you want.
Doesn't sound like you want a themed paint job. It sounds like you'd like a mural on the tank only that represents "Western" or a "Modern Cowboy".
You'd probably be best getting this airbrushed versus a wrap.

Once you decide on what you would like, you'll need to get with your airbrush person and give him the idea. Maybe they can do a rough sketch for you for your approval before starting.
Possibly supply a few images of your own of what you would like.

I'm not for sure if just adding a mural to a tank would give a Vstar the western look You could also have custom made parts for the rest of your bike, like holsters, hats, guns, spurs, bullets for valve stem covers.... This might help you tie in with the mural and give you the overall look you are trying to achieve.

 

[spd500]

I would like to see the finished project when you get it done . One thing that comes to minf for me would be woodgrain accents in the paintjob . I recently finished a jet boat that me and my daughter restored and it has a woodgrain paintjob . I will try to see if I can figure out how to post a few pics of the wood accents that we did on mine , and if you want I can give you a few pointers on how to get the wood look .

 

[spd500]

Hopefully here are the pics

 

[mr fixit]

I like the wood look, not sure if I can work it into what I am thinking but give me a few days to think it through. One of the things I am thinking of doing is replacing Chrome with Brass in some places. For instance, the neck cover, and rear fender accents. Possibly some other places. Just an idea I have in my head.
I was thinking of taking off the clutch and brake levers and replacing them with custom levers from a lever action rifle. The valve stem cover is something I had thought about. I dont want to add spurs or hats. Still trying to work out the idea.

 

[spd500]

I was kinda thinking something kinda like this , but with wood grain instead of one of the two colors . I would do the wood where the black is , then maybe a nice mural on the tank sides . I do like the idea of the other changes you have mentioned , especially the brass . I would go for an aged brass instead of polished if possible though .