[preetamkabra]

I have been using my 2003 aquila GV250 CDI for a long time now. However, despite the engine is good, the colour and the chrome had started giving away. Hence I decided to give it a thorough overhaul, change certain aspects and colourize it completely in Matt Black with only the nuts and bolts in chrome (is it too HD?) Chrome is good and better, but demands too much maintenance and upkeep. Do you agree?

Pics coming up

The bike is now being dismantled for its colour project. (Mind the quality of pics as they are mobile pics and sometimes little out of focus)













I am getting this job done at 'Biker's Point' which is in Kalwa (Thane) - Kharegaon Area. The mechanic I am working with is called Sonu. These guys work on mostly superbikes and sportsbikes. You may want to just have a look around in my bikes pics above. Totally awesome place. I have never seen so many superbikes standing in one place (2 fireblades, 1 bandit, 2 R1, 2 Busas and a 2000 Honda 400 which was for sale.

[mayankk]

Can you post some "before" pictures too? It's not very often that you see this bike, much less have an owner at hand. Black with chrome bits sounds good, optimal.

[preetamkabra]

Hey thanks Mayank. Before pics are rare to find (as my phone got conked up - and yes i did not have backup). Will try to do it though, have some lying around on my social profiles .

[james]

Originally Posted by preetamkabra

Matt Black with only the nuts and bolts in chrome (is it too HD?) Chrome is good and better, but demands too much maintenance and upkeep.

Black is the way to go. Not only will it look classy, but it will be eaiser to maintain. It will look good if you keep the exhausts and front shock covers Chrome. Would love to see 'before' pics of the bike. Have you overhauled the engine at any point in time?

Originally Posted by preetamkabra

2 fireblades, 1 bandit, 2 R1, 2 Busas and a 2000 Honda 400 which was for sale.

I don't see any busas but I do see a pair of 12r's. Most of these bikes, if not all are gray market bikes- Please blank out the registration numbers before posting the pics.

All the best for the restoration.

Cheers!

[preetamkabra]

These parts will go for powder coating (black matt). Apart from these various parts required for the overhaul (as expected) - change of fork oil, swing arm bush, bearings. etc.

[preetamkabra]

Update:

The latest pictures for the progress

1. The black beauty (sans the givi box - which will be fitted in the last)
2. The almost completed assembly ( note the HID light )

[preetamkabra]

Finally,

The restored Aquila in matte black with little amount aluminum sparkles. The guys at Bikers Point have carried out a neat job in my opinion.

Check out the pics and let me know friends...

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the Motorbikes Section. Thanks for sharing!

[MetalBuff]

Originally Posted by preetamkabra

Finally,

The restored Aquila in matte black with little amount aluminum sparkles. The guys at Bikers Point have carried out a neat job in my opinion.

Check out the pics and let me know friends...

Looks great! Brilliant restoration!

Possible to put on the chrome fittings on the fuel tank and the panel near the seats? Would make the bike look really premium and upmarket. The stickers unfortunately are robbing the bike of it's exclusivity. My 2 cents.



Cheerio,
-Shivang Gandotra

[barcalad]

That's an excellent restoration, Preetam mate. The bike looks really beautiful in that shade. A job well done!

Might I advise you to buy a good Polco bike cover for her.

P.S - Brilliant registration number.

[preetamkabra]

Originally Posted by MetalBuff

Looks great! Brilliant restoration!

Possible to put on the chrome fittings on the fuel tank and the panel near the seats? Would make the bike look really premium and upmarket. The stickers unfortunately are robbing the bike of it's exclusivity.

Thanks MetalBuff..
I am not a chrome fan.. It's like a high maintenance girlfriend :-p And I am a cheapskate.. Kidding.
Well, really, I couldn't keep up with the chrome earlier, and the bike was not looking as it should, hence the all black suite.
Thanks for your inputs.

Originally Posted by barcalad

That's an excellent restoration, Preetam mate. The bike looks really beautiful in that shade. A job well done!

Might I advise you to buy a good Polco bike cover for her.

P.S - Brilliant registration number.

Thanks barcalad for your words. And yes, have ordered an universal bike cover from Polco

[Tushar]

Nice restoration mate. A few sirens and lights, and you have a pretty cool police bike! The all black paintjob will definitely stand out and your Aquila looks a lot like a Benelli Blackster 250. Quick question though; how well will the powder coat on the bend pipe and exhaust cope with the heat? Any issue with the paint baking and chipping off / going flaky?

[preetamkabra]

Originally Posted by Tushar

Nice restoration mate. A few sirens and lights, and you have a pretty cool police bike! The all black paintjob will definitely stand out and your Aquila looks a lot like a Benelli Blackster 250. Quick question though; how well will the powder coat on the bend pipe and exhaust cope with the heat? Any issue with the paint baking and chipping off / going flaky?

Thanks for the compliments - will let her know :P

by the way, about powder coating and heating - hence the flaking - I really shudder to think of that. But yeah - have driven around after painting for 200-250 Kms, no effect seem yet. Touchwood. There was some smoke which I could experience just off the fresh bike- but it was expected. Till now, no flakes. And yes, I don't want to see them either