Real Paint
I have gotten massively frustrated with rattle can paint on the bike. It can be done and done well, but I am out of patience and plan to take the bodywork to a shop recommended by a friend for professional paint. It will be whatever the darkest blue they have is. I'll do the paint for number plates, since I'm certainly capable of doing a decent paint job. I have done it in the past, but I don't have proper respirators, the fuel resistant clear coat I found is extremely toxic, and I don't feel like doing something really dumb to save a few dollars and have a decent looking, fuel resistant bike. The costs for rattle can paint start to add up to the same price as a professional paint job fairly quickly anyway. The plastic and tank have all been repaired, so all the shop has to do is scuff it, do the final filler to make sure there are no residual pits or scratches in the substrate, and shoot it. They can use fuel resistant paint in one shot, eliminating the need for clearcoats and any other messing around. It won't be quite as nice as a clearcoated paint job, but considering what the bike is intended for, it doesn't matter too much. I'll get a nicer job on the ceremonial plastic I plan to save for display purposes. That way, I'll always have a good looking set to put on the bike for shows and the like, no matter what happens to the plastic use on the track. The idea is to make sure the bike has the chance of being shown as much as possible, along with all of my sponsors' logos. I have to do something to make sure all of them get something for their support this season, since I'm still not sure how much racing I'll be able to do.
The Husqvarna magneto is STILL hung up in customs. What an amazing saga this whole winter is turning out to be! Good thing it's spring. Things always get better when the sun starts to come out and the daffodils bloom.