Number backgrounds

[AgentOrange]

This isn't so much a question as something I must get off my chest!

Has anyone done battle with those stick on number backgrounds you can buy to stick on the bodywork? I,ve got a set of three to put on my ZXR now that the paintwork has been done ready for the track and they are a total nightmare to attach without getting bubbles in!!

My first attempt was a total disaster despite being ultra careful, and the second attempt wasn't any better... I've been looking through photos in mags to see what other racers do.. and most seem to have their backgrounds painted on, but I could only afford a one colour paintjob (black all over), so I'm stuck with getting this done another way... these stick ons were going to be the answer to my problem, but they've just driven me mad!!

Anybody got any ideas? :smt013

[chief]

yeah mate total pain throw them in the bin ! i was on same page as you never again ? i have heard you should put them on with water and just slide them in place ? [this did not work for me?? ] i just bought a tin of paint and some masking tape in the end and it was a whole lot easier neater than stickers ! regards chief

[lewisdale]

get a spray bottle, like a bathroom or kitchen spray bottle,clean it out obviously and then fill it up with water and a bit of fairy liquid, spray the area where the stickers going till its allwet,then apply the sticker, you should be able to slide it about and put it into posistion,when its in posistion, get a bank card or something similar, then rub the card over the sticker from end to end,this should get rid of air bubbles and take the water out too,leave it for a few hours and it will be stuck properly once the waters all dried,its the same process as window tinting

[cargo]

get a spray bottle, like a bathroom or kitchen spray bottle,clean it out obviously and then fill it up with water and a bit of fairy liquid, spray the area where the stickers going till its allwet,then apply the sticker, you should be able to slide it about and put it into posistion,when its in posistion, get a bank card or something similar, then rub the card over the sticker from end to end,this should get rid of air bubbles and take the water out too,leave it for a few hours and it will be stuck properly once the waters all dried,its the same process as window tinting

What he says with the addition of using a hardrier to both dry and stretch and shrink.

It can help to cut your background into strips and fit them one at a tme

[lewisdale]

personally ive never tried a hairdryer or cutting into strips, the hairdryer sounds good though if your going round corners or slight angles on the bodywork

[cargo]

Every year at the Manx GP they give you number plates to use. It took me ( and others) years to convince them to stop sticking the numbers on those plate before we could get them on the bike.

Every year my mate Ian who goes to the Manx with me has fitted those number plates with varying different methods. He has even used the just slap it on any old way and that'll do ok method and it actually wasn't too bad.
But without doubt the best and most effective method is the soapy water spray and hairdrier.........................cutting into strips is optional but does give a better result.

If you want to get really smart I know a race fairing manufactuer who will do your race fairings in any colour you like and include number plates and the colour is in the fiberglass gel coat.................it costs but can be cheaper than two pack and a paint job............and for a bonus it takes a stone chip really well and it's not white underneath.

[AgentOrange]

Thanks guys, I feel better having had my rant and your advice is appreciated.

I'll give the soapy water method a go in the morning, cheers for that... if it doesn't work I guess I'll be resorting to the spray can method! I've just been reading another thread on this website about doing your own paintwork, and I'm hoping my skills aren't so bad that I couldn't paint a small section blue! (I've suprised myself with my own level of ineptitude before though!).

I've come in from the shed now, and I'm going to chill with a drink.. cheers for all your help.. tomorrow's another day.

[jake]

I just spray paint mine dude.Maskin tape and newspaper over the bits to protect from overspray. Try and get a matt blue or at least a satin if you cant find a matt.

[masterofinsanity]

get a spray bottle, like a bathroom or kitchen spray bottle,clean it out obviously and then fill it up with water and a bit of fairy liquid, spray the area where the stickers going till its allwet,then apply the sticker, you should be able to slide it about and put it into posistion,when its in posistion, get a bank card or something similar, then rub the card over the sticker from end to end,this should get rid of air bubbles and take the water out too,leave it for a few hours and it will be stuck properly once the waters all dried,its the same process as window tinting

couldn't have put it better myself!

[Davw]

Just a thought but havent the rules chamged re backgrounds? It is only a requirement to have a blue background and a white number on the front of the bike. The side numbers dont need the background and in fact I dont think they even need to be white but just contrasting

[AgentOrange]

Davw, that's an interesting question.. I'm not sure?? Has anyone else heard the same thing? It would save me a load of hassle if that's true.

[Davw]

Its certainly the case upt here (Scotland) and as we run under international rules I cant see it being different in England. The position of the rear numbers have changed as well - rather than on the side of the seat they are now on the side of the fairing.

[-GQ-]

When in doubt, look at the book. Extract from the current ACU Handbook for Road Racing below. There is no direction of where side numbers should be.
(http://www.acu.org.uk/uploaded/document ... n%2011.pdf)
"14.7 Number Plates
1. Numbers must be clearly visible to the public and officials. All other number plates or markings on a motorcycle liable to cause confusion with the number must be removed before the start of a competition.
2. One machine number must be displayed on the front of the motorcycle inclined not more than 30 degrees rearwards from the vertical. Holes can be perforated between the numbers on a front number plate. The actual numbers must not be perforated.
3. Each machine must display two side number plates. The numbers must be clearly visible to the public and marshals on both sides of the machine.
4. If numbers are displayed on separate plates, they must be rectangular shape and made from a rigid and solid material with minimum measurements 285mm by 235mm. The plates should not be curved or bent more than 50mm out of the flat plane.
5. The figures must be clearly legible and like the background must be painted in matt colours as described below to avoid reflection in sunlight.
6. The minimum dimensions of front numbers are:
Background 285 mm by 235 mm
Height of figure 140mm
Width of figure 80mm
Width of stroke 25mm
Space between two figures 15mm
7. The minimum dimensions of side numbers are:
Background 260 mm by 220 mm
Height of figure 120mm
Width of figure 70mm
Width of stroke 25mm
Space between 2 figures 15mm
8. A space of at least 5cm must be left free around all number plates in which no advertising may appear.
9. Figures must conform to the Number Plates diagram within this Handbook.
10. The colours for background and figures vary according to the class of motorcycle and type of competition. The following colours shall be used and they must have a matt finish and comply with the RAL colour table:
191
Black 9005, Blue 5010, Yellow 1003, Orange 2007,
Red 3020, Green 6002, White 9010,
The front and side number plates for each class of motorcycles are:
Class Background Numbers
F125cc Red background White numbers
125cc Black background White numbers
250cc Green background White numbers
350cc Blue background White numbers
500cc Yellow background Black numbers
Over 500cc White background Black numbers
Formula 400 Blue background White numbers
Supersport 600 White background Blue numbers
Formula 600 White background Blue numbers
Supermono Black background Yellow numbers
Stocksport Red background White numbers
FII Sidecars Red background White numbers
Open Sidecars White background Black numbers (incl three wheelers)"

[Davw]

I am confused - see pic of me (suitably scrutineered) in the Oct meet at Knockhill (Formula 400) Front number is white on a blue background (as per regs) side numbers - we pic speaks

[AgentOrange]

Thanks GQ for adding all that info from the regs.. It sounds like it's even more stringent than I thought. I've put off doing the numbers this week because I was frustrated with the stick on number backgrounds and unsure about painting (although I probably will do that) and I've bought a can from Halfords).. I'm glad I hung on and read that... it doesn't explain Davw's bike being scrutineered as per his pic, but it gives a definative answer. I can only guess it's a variation in regs for his Scotish club?? although that sounds unlikely, I can't think of any other explanation. The only variation I'm aware of is where bikes with tailpieces that are very flat, and have virtually no profile from the side (like the R6) can have the side view numbers on the fairing sides.. The HM plant Fireblades for example in BSB.. that doesn't apply to ZXR's with original shaped racing seat units like mine and his though.