Angelic wings, dramatic custom paint, collaboration & friendship. The Honda tribute to a lost friend.

Blog

The wings on the Honda brand motorcycles began when Mr Soichiro Honda was inspired by Nike, the winged Goddess of Victory in Greek mythology.

However, wings, in particular angel wings, came to have an entirely different meaning to Honda CBF600 owner & great friend of mono motorcycles, Will C. 

In the past year, a dear friend of Will C’s was taken from this earth all too soon. As his parting gift, he left Will a small sum of money, with instructions to spend it on something for himself. In honour of his dear friend, Will decided to pay homage through a custom paint design on his Honda CBF600 by Jamie Gladman of J.A.A Custom Paint & some modifications by Daniel Morris of mono motorcycles.

The Honda CBF600 came to mono motorcycles initially to enable Daniel to complete the full service & upgrade the exhaust. A new alloy Black Widow exhaust system was fitted to the motorcycle, servicing undertaken, detailing & removal of panels & the tank to make ready for Jamie at J.A.A Custom Paint.

The Honda CBF600 in its original livery.
The Honda CBF600 in its original livery.

Jamie Gladman & Will C had only met once at one of the mono motorcycles breakfast club meets, before they began discussing the design ideas. The rest of the communications were made over the telephone & via text message.

Will C always knew that he wanted a pair of angel wings on the Honda tank & some form of Christian cross in remembrance of his dear friend. Will also knew that he wanted the wings to be black. Will sent Jamie a couple of images & had a few conversations with Jamie, but there was no draft, no extensive consultation, just heaps of trust on Will’s part & an abundance of intuition on Jamie’s.

Once Jamie had started to formulate an idea, he sketched out some designs for his own guidance. At this point, it was agreed that the process would be a secret, as Will only wanted to see the completed design on the Honda. Jamie knew what colour the tank should be, as it was to be as close to the original Honda red as possible. 

The first part of the process was to strip the tank & panels & apply a coat of primer. Jamie then applied a coat of silver, before the red. This was to ensure a metallic finish was created for the red base colour.

The first part of the process was to strip the tank & panels & apply a coat of primer. Jamie then applied a coat of silver, before the red. This was to ensure a metallic finish was created for the red base colour.
The first part of the process was to strip the tank & panels & apply a coat of primer. Jamie then applied a coat of silver, before the red. This was to ensure a metallic finish was created for the red base colour.

Once the base colours were laid down, Jamie began to work his magic. He had already decided on a cross image & to make it look like it was real gold, he planned on using 32c gold leaf. Working with gold leaf is not an easy process, due to the very delicate nature of the product. However, Jamie knew it would have the maximum dramatic finish, therefore justifying his choice.

Jamie masked off sections of the tank to begin the transformation. Dramatic shadowing was added to make the wing detail appear to wrap themselves around the tank, a fitting metaphor for the wings of a lost friend, protecting a biker. The airbrush & hand painted affects were created with multiple layers of painstakingly applied paint, in a host of shades to create the depth & real feel to the feathers.

Jamie masked off sections of the tank to begin the transformation. Dramatic shadowing was added to make the wing detail appear to wrap themselves around the tank, a metaphor for the wings of a lost friend, protecting a biker.
Jamie masked off sections of the tank to begin the transformation. Dramatic shadowing was added to make the wing detail appear to wrap themselves around the tank, a metaphor for the wings of a lost friend, protecting a biker.
Jamie masked off sections of the tank to begin the transformation. Dramatic shadowing was added to make the wing detail appear to wrap themselves around the tank, a metaphor for the wings of a lost friend, protecting a biker.
Jamie masked off sections of the tank to begin the transformation. Dramatic shadowing was added to make the wing detail appear to wrap themselves around the tank, a metaphor for the wings of a lost friend, protecting a biker.

The cross developed by first creating a outer design using pin striping tape. Adhesive called ‘gold leaf size’ was first painted on the tank in the specified design. Once it had been left for an hour, the gold leaf was applied over the top. The excess leaf was then brushed away & a clear coating painted over the top. The finished look was as if the cross was hung around the neck of the Honda, as it seemed to float above the tank.

The cross developed by first creating a outer design using pin striping tape.
The cross developed by first creating a outer design using pin striping tape.
The cross developed by first creating a outer design using pin striping tape.
The cross developed by first creating a outer design using pin striping tape.
Adhesive called 'gold leaf size' was first painted on the tank in the specified design.
Adhesive called ‘gold leaf size’ was first painted on the tank in the specified design.
Once it had been left for an hour, the gold leaf was applied over the top. The excess leaf was then brushed away & a clear coating painted over the top. The finished look was as if the cross was hung around the neck of the Honda, as it seemed to float above the tank.
Once it had been left for an hour, the gold leaf was applied over the top. The excess leaf was then brushed away & a clear coating painted over the top. The finished look was as if the cross was hung around the neck of the Honda, as it seemed to float above the tank.

Jamie extended the wing design to the rear panels & added another dimension by creating gold leaf ‘600’s’ over a black feather, to denote the cc of the motorcycle. 

Jamie extended the wing design to the rear panels & added another dimension by creating gold leaf '600's' over a black feather, to denote the cc of the motorcycle.
Jamie extended the wing design to the rear panels & added another dimension by creating gold leaf ‘600’s’ over a black feather, to denote the cc of the motorcycle.

Once the paint & gold leaf had been laid down, Jamie then added many, many layers of lacquer. This ensures the longevity of the paintwork, helps prevent fade & protects the beautiful design.

Once the tank & panels had returned to mono motorcycles, they were refitted to the Honda. Daniel & Jamie then spent time together giving the tank a full wet flat polish, which further enhanced the beauty & complexity of the design.

Only when we all then had a chance to stand back from the Honda, did the full impact of the paint work really begin to sink in. It was & is, breathtaking.

Only when we all then had a chance to stand back form the Honda, did the full impact of the paint work really begin to sink in. It was & is, breathtaking.
Only when we all then had a chance to stand back form the Honda, did the full impact of the paint work really begin to sink in. It was & is, breathtaking.

Jamie had taken only a very few thoughts & ideas from Will & transformed them in to a sublimely personal vision for him & a stunning tribute to a lost friend.

Only when we all then had a chance to stand back form the Honda, did the full impact of the paint work really begin to sink in. It was & is, breathtaking.
Only when we all then had a chance to stand back form the Honda, did the full impact of the paint work really begin to sink in. It was & is, breathtaking.

Jamie’s vision has excelled once again & the reaction Will C gave when Jamie & Daniel revealed the Honda to him in the mono motorcycles workshop, says everything about the impact Jamie Gladman’s work has on the people he works & collaborates with (please see the video below) 

Will C, Daniel Morris of mono motorcycles & Jamie Gladman of J.A.A Custom Paint
Will C, Daniel Morris of mono motorcycles & Jamie Gladman of J.A.A Custom Paint

For all your motorcycle modification, service, repair needs, contact Daniel or Katy at mono motorcycles on T: 01243 576212 / 07899 654446 or through our contact page.

For all your custom paint needs, contact Jamie Gladman at J.A.A Custom Paint on T:07896 279747, E: Jgladman1975@gmail.com or find examples of Jamie’s outstanding work at Jamies Airbrushed Art on Facebook. 

Category: Maintenance, Service & Repair