More About CNC Plasma Cutting the Bike Silhouettes

The CNC plasma cut bikes shown are in  11 gauge (1/8″ thick) mild steel.  To fit in the detail, the bike cutouts need to be approximately 19″ long. 

Since the segments that are cut away are just as important to the shape as  the solid parts, the bikes look totally different with frontal vs rear lighting, as shown at right.

The  unpainted silhouettes look acceptable as is, but can be painted in colors original to the real bikes.  We used only three or four different colors on these bikes for the most part, but a more thorough paint job would likely produce even better results.

Painting helps increase the illusion that some parts are passing in front of others.  In the photos at right, the cut lines give the impression that the rear shocks are in front of the rear tire.  The exhaust pipe, however, does not appear to be in front of the frame down tube.

In the photo of the same bike with paint applied, below, this problem no longer is present.