Well, it can be done… I finally finished painting and decal’ing the bike for my gf for Christmas. I’m reasonably pleased with how it turned out. I would absolutely not recommend doing this yourself unless:
A) You have a cheap bike (this one was free)
B) You enjoy spending 30-40 hours driving around to odd automotive stores and the likes for paint, brushes, etc...
C) You don't have really really chill roommates and/or family (thanks to Sarah, Matthias and Kelsy, who have been high for the last few weeks on paint fumes)
D) You are totally and completely broke (the entire project including a botched set of decals from Florida cost $90 Canadian)
Please no comments no the bargain basement forks. I had only a few days to find them, and the bike has a 1" headtube. They cost a whopping $19.99, and believe it or not, they actually move up and down–kinda.
Anyhoo, here are some pics. My budget 1999 digital camera really doesn’t do the paint justice. It honestly looks like shiny pearls. If enough people want, I’ll post a how-to and what-not-to-do!
A few people asked if they can buy a set of decals from me… I’d be happy to send the graphic file for free to anybody who wants it, however, I believe the name is actually trademarked. For a few bucks or some tri goodies, I’d be happy to draw up some decals for people. It cost $20 at a local sign-making shop to have these done up. (flat ones that would blend in with the paint would have been $80–more like what you find on custom cars.) PM if interested in either.
Sorry for the sideways pictures–I gotta run!