Super-charged, fuel-injected, and with 1500HP a Top Fuel Bike is one of the fastest accelerating vehicles on two wheels. Capable of 235 mph plus, the lightning fast King racing bike of Ian King also needs a fast high quality finish and he relies on Spies Hecker paints to deliver this.

Ian King explains his special bike needs a special level of finish. He says, “The aluminium bodywork of the Top Fuel Bike is put under severe stress during a run. The chassis moves, stretches and vibrates, so the coating must adhere to the aluminium while resisting cracking and lifting. The coating must also have high impact resistance. And a further consideration is coping with nitromethane, the explosive fuel used to run the bike. It is extremely aggressive to normal coatings, so very good chemical resistance is essential.”

King, who has been European Top Fuel Bike Champion eight times and is a former UK Top Fuel Bike Champion as well as Irish Drag Race Champion, had tried several different paints in his 30 years on the circuit. He was introduced to Spies Hecker by renowned Austrian airbrush artist Knud Tiroch, who paints King’s race bike.

King says, “Through my association with Grand Prix Originals and Gulf Oil International I was put in touch with Knud, who is well-known in motorsports for his skills and artistry. I had seen a number of custom vehicles he had worked on and he recommended Spies Hecker.  It delivers everything we need it to, and the colours are outstandingly brilliant.”