T-shirt feeler...

XLeration · #1 4th August 2012

I'm in the process of starting up my own company, but it's a slow start since it's on the side right now (I work full time for the county I live in). My plan is to build this company into something that will allow me to one day "quit my day job", but it's going to take quite a bit to get there. My focus right now is going to be designing and fabricating parts (brackets and such first), and my attention is going to be solely on Sportsters (although some parts will wind up being multi-fit by their nature).

The reason for this post is to try and raise a few bucks that can go into R&D and capital purchases for the company, allowing me to get some parts out to everyone sooner than would otherwise be possible. As a means to do this, I'd like to start offering various clothing items and other trinkets with the company name and logo for sale. I'm not looking to make a ton of money on them, but just get a couple bucks here or there that will eventually add up. Below is an initial design that I was looking at, but I'd like some feedback on it. Is it something you would be interested in? What changes would you make? What other items would you like to see the logo on?

Thanks,
Nick

Front:

Back:

joesporty · #2 4th August 2012

Good luck in your upcoming business venture...Nothing like being your own boss..I think the t shirt looks pretty good maybe add some white to the checker pattern on the wings give it a checkered flag look..

XLeration · #3 4th August 2012

Not a bad idea...the "software" on the website I used to make the design is pretty limited, but I can add notes for them to follow...if only I had photoshop at home...

edgeofinsanity · #4 4th August 2012

I've often wondered if there was a market for a Sportster-only line of parts that were decent quality, but affordable. It seems like everything I look at is a super-high quality machined part that costs a small fortune, or a cheap Chinese pot metal knockoff, nothing really in between. I wish I had the skills and equipment to fabricate.

Xleration, if you need any assistance with getting those designs down on paper into proper blueprints, shoot me a message. I'm a mechanical designer now but was a draftsman for almost 10 years before that.

XLeration · #5 4th August 2012

I hear ya...that's a big part of the reason I wanted to go this route...to provide the "in between" group of parts.

I'll keep you in mind if I need any drawings made or reviewed...thanks for the offer!

khaskins · #6 4th August 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLeration

Not a bad idea...the "software" on the website I used to make the design is pretty limited, but I can add notes for them to follow...if only I had photoshop at home...

You don't need Photoshop when there are open source programs that do exactly the same thing for free.

Windows and Linux versions of GimpShop. No cost.

GIMPshop - CNET Download.com

http://gimpshop.com/downloads

Pretty easy to use and lots of free add-ons to help tweak the graphics.

I like the idea for your company. There are some creative members here, maybe you could let members design some as well.

XLeration · #7 4th August 2012

I'll have to check that software out...it sounds great!

I like the idea of members designing parts for me to fabricate (or at least come up with ideas of parts they'd like). I like the pipes too! I just installed black Sideshots on my bike tonight. I had to fabricate a rear mounting bracket though since V&H doesn't make them for non-rubber mounted bikes. That's actually a part I was thinking about...making the bracket that would allow others to use that exhaust on earlier bikes...

SportyLou · #8 5th August 2012

Hey Nick, that looks awesome.. I agree with maybe adding some white. Id buy a couple of them for sure. Are you gonna be making some in L/S..?

XLeration · #9 5th August 2012

I'm going to call the place on Monday and discuss the options with them. I'm hoping they'll let me mix and match t-shirt colors, L/S & S/S, etc., but I won't know until I talk to them. As for more white, here's a helmet I had done...I was thinking for the shirt I'd fill in the center circle and the wings in white (on the helmet the wings are filled with silver leaf). I'd like to get some pinstripes like what's on the helmet as well, but I don't know how well that would go on the shirt.

SportyLou · #10 5th August 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLeration

I'm going to call the place on Monday and discuss the options with them. I'm hoping they'll let me mix and match t-shirt colors, L/S & S/S, etc., but I won't know until I talk to them. As for more white, here's a helmet I had done...I was thinking for the shirt I'd fill in the center circle and the wings in white (on the helmet the wings are filled with silver leaf). I'd like to get some pinstripes like what's on the helmet as well, but I don't know how well that would go on the shirt.

Looks good brother...