1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[rustybronco]

Either your seat foam is collapsed or the seat cover is made wrong.

[Nessism]

Just got back from the paint store. Bought some clear, basecoat, and hardener. NOT cheap. The clear is the "new" 2.1 VOC flavor. Translated that means it's low solids and thin. In other words three coats needed instead of the old two. Hum, makes one wonder if it actually results in less crap going into the air or what? At any rate, that's how it is in California these days. Took a flier on the color: bought a pint of black and a pint of dark pearl blue and had them mixed together. Going for a black look from distance, but with some pearl blue coming though when you get closer. We'll see.

Since the original paint is so chalky and tore up I'm removing as much as possible before prime. Two part epoxy for that of course. One of the side covers had a swale in it so filled it with body mud. Good fun...

P1010790 by nessism, on Flickr

Capture by nessism, on Flickr

P1010788 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010789 by nessism, on Flickr

[tkent02]

Did you get anything out of Pit Replica for that seat cover? Trying to decide who to get one from.

[Nessism]

Did you get anything out of Pit Replica for that seat cover? Trying to decide who to get one from.

Ordered another and ate it. It does look original and there is no place to purchase a nicer cover. Thinking about taking it to a local shop for install and maybe reinforcement of the bottom seam. Not sure yet though...

[rustybronco]

What was the cost of the black Kerker basecoat you just bought if I may ask?

[Nessism]

What was the cost of the black Kerker basecoat you just bought if I may ask?

Think it was $27/pint. The pearl blue was about double that.

[nvr2old]

You'll be glad you took the time to fill the low spots on the side covers, Ed, especially going with a dark color. They would've stuck out like sore thumbs if you hadn't. Now they'll be nice and straight. Nice work.

[Nessism]

Does anyone know if common pinstripe tape can be turned through a tight radius similar to shown below? Haven't been able to find a decal kit for these bikes and would like to duplicate the factory look.

P1010784 by nessism, on Flickr

[rustybronco]

The only thing I can suggest is to buy a section of tape that's the width you are trying to use and give it a try.

How about taping off and painting the darker color the width of both colors then laying the lighter colored 'tape stripe' on top?

[psyguy]

Does anyone know if common pinstripe tape can be turned through a tight radius similar to shown below? Haven't been able to find a decal kit for these bikes and would like to duplicate the factory look.

Have you tried these guys?

http://www.bike-stickers.com/classics.htm

[Nessism]

Any color you want as long as it's black.

Actually, the color looks black until you get it out in the sun then it looks pearl blue. Just the look I was after.

Had a hard time with the USC01 clear. It goes on dry looking then lays down. Have a few runs because I laid it on too thick. Going to color sand anyway so not a huge problem. Pin stripes will go down after sanding then two more clear layers over the graphics. Now that everything's cleared I can take my time.

P1010802 - Copy by nessism, on Flickr

P1010803 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010805 - Copy by nessism, on Flickr

P1010806 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010808 - Copy by nessism, on Flickr

P1010811 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010809 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010810 by nessism, on Flickr

[nvr2old]

The parts look real nice, Ed. Feels good to get to this point, eh..? Definitely a light at the end of the tunnel when you finally get color on.

[Nessism]

The parts look real nice, Ed. Feels good to get to this point, eh..? Definitely a light at the end of the tunnel when you finally get color on.

Oh yeah Larry, feels good to get that clear on. You know the drill... both the epoxy primer and the base coat have critical recoat times, so basically a mad rush to get everything done quickly. Once the first wave of clear is on though you can relax a little.

[Nessism]

Color sanding the clear coat with 600 grit. Have to be really careful because the 600 cuts fast and I don't want to hit the base coat. Seems like this paint is softer than those I've used before.

Laid down some pin stripe tape on an old CD as a trial. Worrisome issue is making sure the stripes don't lift after stretching them to form the corners. The clear should help the stripes stick down, but not sure I should rely on that. I'm thinking if the tape doesn't lift after a couple days they should be okay after being clear coated.

P1010812 by nessism, on Flickr

[salty_monk]

I don't think I'd be too worried about it lifting through the clearcoat Ed - as long as it was flat until it had cured.

Looks like it's almost ready for me to ride

Give me a shout if you need a lift with the engine.