I feel the urge to expand into motorbike parts engraving.  I often get asked if i can engrave parts to match seats etc.  The outlay to get the right equipment would be considerable, so I was wondering if the members here think there would be a market for this type of work.  If you go to this link  http://www.ottocarter.com/motorcycle.htm   you will see the work of one of the engravers working in the USA.  His work might be a bit fancy for the aussie market but you will get the idea of what is possible.   I would be grateful for any opinions and advice.

cheers

Love subtle versions of this.

Latino style bobbers look awesome with it. To match the custom engraving on the pistola perhaps 

On a side note, this engraving looks perfect on a nice over and under shotty!

Don Bloxidge master gun engraver , done a lot of work on motorcycles in the 80`s, excellent work if thats your thing, have to admire his craftsmanship. Back then it was about about 15 pound per square inch, thats about 30 dollars. Real quality.

Leatheroo, i didnt look at the link cause i can figure what i would see, my opinion is the custom market is running short on idea's due to availability.......do it bro and do it big, my opinion is if your the first to jump on it you will be the one who prospers most.

thanks for the feedback....i have talked to neo and he says the laser engraving is getting the work and not many people want to pay for hand engraving. I find this to be the way with hand carved leather seats, but there are some out there that will always be willing to pay for quality and originality. There is also the issue of the bike parts dont always fit in the laser engravers. I would be looking at power engraving tools that would cut down the time of a project considerably and therefore cut down the costs. I still have some researching to do and the learning curve of the art would be very slow.
cheers
caroline

Checked out the link and I think it looked awesome. In a market flooded with "custom" parts & accessories it can be pretty hard to get an original look or something really personalised. When you are looking at around $3,500 big ones for Harley "custom" paint, metal engraving would be a great alternative and there are a lot of metal bits on a Harley. At the right price I reckon there would definitely be a market out there for people wanting their own unique style on their rides. Its like tatoos for bikes.

I'll be watching with interest.

 Some sweet ones...?

SJ

love the second last one...not too over the top
cheers

Have you seen this site the forum is very good

http://www.lindsayengraving.com/

Lots and lots of info re the latest style of Air chisels for doing the bulk of the work

For basic suppliers of hand engravers Sydney and Queensland

http://www.hoj.com.au/products.php?c=48

And for some books and design principles and dare i say it OLD SKOOL way od doing it

http://www.lindsayengraving.com/Hand-Engraving-Tools.htm

Theres enough there mate to keep you busy for the next 10 years

All the best mate Bruce

 

 

 

 

 

Looks like heaps of hours required to do such work.  I'd definitely use your services, depending on pricing. Could be expensive if you charge by the hour.

[hey all , this is a very interesting post from you all as I am an engraver in Melbourne that engraves motorcycle & car parts , I had the same vision of engraving harley parts as a living although I think I just missed the craze back in 1987 & by the time I had enough experience to do a decent job , it's was the mid 90's , everyone & their dog wanted black powdercoat around then. So I was forced to engrave jewellry & trophies ,( with the odd knife, rifle, or hot rod in between) Until recently.... I think your right Kiwidave , I opened a shop in frankston at around the same time as this discussion ,specializing in custom engraving & I'm working on 2 Harley's as we speak !!! & I'm constantly giving quotes for other bikes, I've noticed heaps of bikes & cars in the states appearing with engraved parts. There is definately a major market for custom engraving in Australia , problem is there is only a handful of decent engravers left & nobody teaches anymore , It takes years of practise to perfect engraving which usually scares most people away , then the cost of setting up. Leatheroo , the fact that you carve leather is a massive plus for you , as the techniques are quite simular to start with, most of your learning would be in the use of the tools , the Lindsay palm engraver would be most suited, although these are quite expensive, The best & cheapest way to see if your suited for engraving is to buy a graver (chisel) & handle from a jewellery supplies store , (I use Australian Jewellers Supplies in swanston street Melbourne ), These will set you back under $10 , start with a soft alloy , alternatively call into my shop in Frankston & have a go on my airgraver.
Anyhow everyone , keep engraving in mind & check out my website http://www.camsengraving.com not too much Harley engraving on there at the moment , but keep posted as I load more on in the near future.

Cam.

I'm sold Leatheroo

SJ - The masonic simple on the handgun looks brilliant, serious hours have gone into a few of those handguns!!

Had a similar idea lately - well kind of. Got a flat polished aluminium plate over my SE air cleaner at the moment, was thinking of getting my tattooist to design me something on it, and then have a go going over it with an engraving bit on a dremel. If i fuck it up, i can just flip the cover over......