When you need a pro, you need a pro. There is no part of a motorcycle that can be overlooked if you truly want to go “custom”. A real builder knows when a job requires an outside craftsman held in high esteem.
Randy Aron from Cycle Visions needed someone he could count on to deliver pro-grade powder coating to his discerning customers. Shawn Killion was able to step up to world-class opportunity when he came out of retirement to purchase a powder coating business. That shop is now Top Quality Powder Coating in Chula Vista, California.
In just two years, he quadrupled the business by focusing on the motorcycle community and working out from there. While many powder coaters focus on commercial contracts and take in bike frames and cars for their picture galleries, Top Quality aimed almost entirely on motorcycle applications and individual projects.
“We decided to really specialize for automotive and motorcycle. We weren’t a jack-of-all-trades. We made ourselves the name to call for car or bike parts. Most powder coaters aren’t bike guys. By turning away fences and other crap, it freed up time to work directly with bikers,” Killion recounted. At the end of the day, Killion is in a good spot, and is just happy to be working with bikes.
“I love being able do the kind of work I want to do, but its also nice to have success at it. We get our business from motorcycle guys, cars enthusiasts, and [military] bases in Miramar, North Island, and Pendleton. We offer a discount for any military guys. They do shit I would never want to do.”
The Speed Monkey bike, like the business, exploded from a seed. Killion found a little metal monkey wearing goggles, and built the bike from there. He had a lot of helping hands in the build from the new community Top Quality supported.
Loose Cannon Customs handled the design and paint, and it was wired by Randy at Cycle Vision. Mike Bellows’ Customs modified a custom Paughco frame and exhaust with Moon Eyes tips. The tank was formed by Cole Foster. The Speed Monkey incorporated twelve colors in the tank alone, and all the sheet metal felt the sting of powder coat in place of primer. Another powder mix is the “orange with lime sparkle.” The bike has wild features to match its physique, like powder coated D-rings around the pan rockers, and a centrifugal clutch.
“Just roll it on like a snowmobile and away you go,” Killion grinned.
Some builders pay thousands for the exact paint matches of yester-year. It’s understandable how powder coating can still be considered a new brand of witchcraft.
“All the swatches for this bike were sent out and matched perfectly. Its amazing how perfect some of the new powder can be.”
Even though it’s a modern application, it’s not really less labor intensive than paint. The powder coating process starts with cleaning a piece of metal, running an electrical current through it. Then the part can be sprayed with a powder through a special gun. The powder melts together at high temperatures.
“The part is stripped down to the bare metal with sandblasting, and then we run it through the oven to remove any residual oils from fingers or anything else. The blasting gives it a “tooth” for the paint to grab. You can only coat metal surfaces, although some interesting new products are coming onto the market. “
“The metal gets electrically charged so the paint powder is pulled into the metal. Then the piece is baked at 400 degrees to create the surface. It creates a kind of candy shell. Basically, the only metal parts you cannot powder coat are internals, anything that holds a gasket, or threads.”
There are significant benefits in powder coating over a quality paint job.
The surface is less likely to chip because of the way that the powder is bonded to the metal… and since the powder is actually drawn into the metal there is protection in some areas that a painter may not be able to reach. It’s incredible how much some of these powders can look like regular paint now. There is even additives like zinc that can protect against riding in salty areas.
The biggest driver though, I would say, is the price. The price of paint has gone out of this world. It was [on the Speed Monkey] $1800 to buy the paint. Powder is great for three or four feet, like a frame, but for a show bike, nothing beats custom paint. Paint you can color sand and buff. Powder, what you get [out of the oven] is what you get.
Like all bikers, Killion has experience with legislative effects on the industry.
“In CA it’s because of the emissions, and the paint has been switched to be water-based. The carriers and extra components raises the price,” Killion explained. “I guess we’re saving whales or something…”
At the end of the day, he is enjoying his “retirement”.
“I just ordered a new variation in body filler with enough metal to carry a current in today. There always seems to be something new in powder coating. I guess I’ll play around with that today…”
Regular Stuff
Owner: Shawn Killion
Bike Name: Speed Monkey
Builder: Shawn Killion
City/state: Alpine, Colorado
Company Info: Quality Powder Coating
Address: 2605 Faivre St., Chula Vista, CA 91911
Phone: 619 423-3200
Web site: QualityPowderUSA.COM
E-mail: ShawnKillion@rocketmail.com
Fabrication: Shawn Killion
Welding: Bello’s Customs
Machining: Uncle Dave’s Machine
Engine
Year: 1939
Make: Harley
Model: Panhead
Displacement: 74 cubic inches
Builder or Rebuilder: Cycle Visions
Cases: Factory
Case finish: blasted
Barrels: Stock
Bore: Stock
Pistons: H-D
Barrel finish: Black
Lower end: Cycle Visions
Stroke: Stock
Rods: H-D
Heads: Factory
Head finish: Bare
Valves and springs: Rebuilt by Cycle Visions
Pushrods: solids
Cams: FLH
Lifters: stock
Carburetion: S&S super E
Air cleaner: With Powder and Chrome
Exhaust: Paughco
Mufflers: Moon Eyes
Transmission
Year: 1949
Make: H-D
Gear configuration: 4-speed
Primary: Chain w/Paughco tins
Clutch: EFM Auto Clutch
Final drive: Chain
Kicker: Modified
Frame
Year: 1948 style
Builder: Paughco
Style or Model:
Stretch: 2 inches
Rake: 35 degrees
Modifications: Powder coated
Front End
Make: Paughco re-pop
Model: H-D style
Year: 1948
Length: XA
Mods: Pinstriping
Sheet metal
Tanks: Cole Foster
Fenders: Nick Battaglia
Oil tank: Nick Battaglia
Paint
Sheet metal: Nick Battaglia
Base coat: House of Kolor
Graphics: Nick Battaglia
Frame: Quality Powder Coating
Base coat: N.I.C. Crescent beige
Pinstriping: Yes, by Nick
Wheels
Front
Make: Spoolie
Size: 21
Brake calipers: None
Tire: Avon
Rear
Make: H-D
Size: 19
Brake calipers: Drum brake
Brake rotor: Hydraulic drum
Pulley: Sprocket
Tire: Avon
Controls
Foot controls: Drilled for brake
Finish: Quality Powder
Master cylinder: H-D
Handlebar controls: Internal throttle
Clutch Cable: none
Kickstand: Stock
Electrical
Ignition: Distributor
Ignition switch: Under seat
Coils: Mooneyes
Regulator: In generator
Charging: Generator
Starter: Kick
Wiring: Randy Aron, Cycle Visions
Headlight: With Powder and pinstriping
Taillight: Above license
What’s Left
Seat: Nomad Leather
Gas caps: chrome
Handlebars: Hollywood
Grips: Seven Sinc Choppers
Pegs: Harley Shotgun
Oil cooler: Cycle Visions
Throttle: Internal throttle
Throttle cables: Cycle Visions
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