Ok, so new job, relatively bad part of town. I want my bike to look like s**t to deter thievery. I care nothing for the resale value, so long as it doesn't fall apart under me. I'm thinking about covering the whole frame in primer, and putting a crappy rattle can paint on top. Possibly mixed with grease/wax to encourage cracking and pealing. Any suggestions as far as colors and methods go? Nearly everything on the bike is aluminum, so I can't exactly go bare metal in areas to make it rust, or I would do that as well!

 

https://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5356/pb226038c.jpg

 

This is how it looks right now. It's a medium/low end bike, but nearly everything here is a cheapie department store bike, and I want it to look worse than those, so I'm not the immediate target for a bike jacking.

 

https://img542.imageshack.us/img542/545/pb226039c.jpg

 

I added this rusty thing to it. Probably dropped the value of the bike with it substantially. I would like the bike to match this ideally, but aluminum doesn't have the corrosive properties of iron...

 

https://img10.imageshack.us/img10/3118/pb226040c.jpg

 

Ok, this is the front. I only really carry my flat kit, a knife and a first aid kit in there, along with some cheap lights on the handlebar. Could this be improved by making it look like the lights are held on with electrical tape, and changing out the bag for a nice pink basket?

I would like the bike to match this ideally, but aluminum doesn't have the corrosive properties of iron...

He he he, this (and weight) is what people usually love most in aluminium.

 

Frankly I'd rather buy an additional total crap of a bike just for work than destroy a good one. Painting in primer... Could work I guess. Add some grey to look like patches without paint could make it look even less desirable.

Why not paint it to look like it's rusty? Prime it, use an iron coloured base, then toss on a mixture of red, brown and copper colours?

 

Just a thought.

 

- NKF

I'm pretty certain a bright pink basket won't help one bit.

 

Might want to try changing the handlebar grips to something more low-end. If it clashes with the rest of the bike, that might lower its attractiveness.

Use some duct tape on the lights, to cover over things. Use some paint to make it looked scuffed, scratched, etc. Doesn't have to be great, but it's better than scratching off the paint. Run it through dirt, mud, etc. Or even get a gun, a holster that can be attached to the bike, and will secure the gun, things like that. The police may bother you, but as long as you have a copy of the sales receipt, or registration, they should let you go.

Shit brown or candy pink.

as long as you have a copy of the sales receipt,

He he he, with projected changes you may really keep on to this one closely...

This is why I keep a business card inside the handlebar behind the mirror with my contact info and the bike's serial# written on it.

 

As far as other bikes go, I do have a beater, but it's so much of a beater that the ride is horrible. It really needs a new back wheel, and I can't find good back wheels used. That's ALWAYS what seems to go bad on those department store bikes that I've salvaged most of the parts from.

 

https://img825.imageshack.us/img825/412/pc126078c.jpg

 

I used to have the rack and basket on this, but the trashy single speed rear was tiring going over about a mile on it. It does have that 30 year old rust bucket charm to it though, especially with rusted baskets front and rear. It's also got that nice girly shape to it.

Now THAT is what I'm talking about! https://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b348/SpaceVoyager/Smiley/xtreme.gif

The other thing you can do is to etch your name, the serial number, etc. to the parts of the bike that you can. Seat, handle bars, etc. You may have to take it apart. The things I wouldn't worry about are the rims, tires, etc. Register the bike with the police, as well. They have a copy of the serial number, and if stolen, then they can find it, and either give it back to you or offer a new bike in replacement. Typically, if in good shape, but needing new rims, etc. they would give it back, but if chopped up, then, probably, either a new bike if they don't have one there, or your pick of a bike that's there. However, I wouldn't count on the latter, as most of those have been involved in a crime, or some such, and may not be all that good of a bike.

Cheap crappy painting supplies ACQUIRED.

 

https://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2341/pc136082.jpg

 

Now to figure out the best way make this not stick on very well while still going on "neatly" like it wasn't just smeared on. I'm going to find something to test on with different base coats. First up: Cheap asphalt fence paint. With luck, the oils in this crap will make the paint a bubbling mess. If that doesn't work as planned, I will experiment with grease on primer or something.

This is all very A-Team. I approve.

I lov e it when a plan comes together.