A good fitting is mostly preparation
Fitting a decal kit on a motorcycle isn't rocket science, but it doesn't forgive rushing. Most failed fittings aren't about skill: they come from a badly degreased surface, a garage that's too cold or a wash that comes too soon. This checklist takes the steps of our full fitting guide and puts them in a handy format to keep open on your phone while you work.
How to use the checklist
- Tick as you go: the progress bar fills up and your progress stays saved on your device. You can close the page and pick up the next day.
- Start the timers at the end: they work out the exact time from which you can take the bike out, then wash it.
- Print it if you prefer paper: only the list is printed, without the rest of the site.
- Untick all resets the list for your next kit.
The three rules that make vinyl stick
A clean, grease-free surface. Isopropyl alcohol removes the wax, silicone and fingerprints that soap leaves behind. After degreasing, don't touch the surface again.
A sensible temperature. Film manufacturers recommend fitting in a temperate room, on a surface that's neither cold nor hot; at around 20 to 25 °C, the adhesive grips well and the film stays workable. In Morocco, the real trap is the sun: a tank left in it quickly gets too hot.
Time after fitting. The adhesive doesn't reach full strength straight away. Keep the bike sheltered for a day or two, wait about a week before the first wash, and always keep the pressure washer away from the edges.
Heat helps on curves, but overheated vinyl distorts, marks or shrinks back. Work warm, keep the tool moving and never heat close to fragile plastics or seals.
Rather not fit it yourself?
No problem: we also fit kits at the workshop in Fès. It's the easiest option for a custom kit or a bike with lots of curves. And if you're still looking for your kit, the garage shows the ones that fit your bike.