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1981 Kawasaki GPz550: Restoration

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    I asked Larry (nvr2old) earlier about prepping the engine cases since I wasn't keen on blasting the cases with all those exposed bearing & gasket surfaces. He suggested using a red scotch brite pad to give the old finish some teeth. Then I remembered I had a brand new wire wheel left over from the GS1000 project.

    Most productive 15 minutes of this project to date.



    That should give the VHT paint something to stick too. I will scotch brite the tight stuff by hand / paint stirrer. . . Engine S/N KZ550DE000030
    Last edited by srsupertrap; 05-05-2014, 10:03 PM.
    Steve

    1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

    Comment


      I think going over it all with the scotch bright pad would still help the overall finish, too, Steve. The wire wheel definitely scuffed it up, but you might see the wire wheel marks a bit, especially in black. Might try painting just a small portion first to see for sure.
      1979 GS1000S,

      1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

      Comment


        Originally posted by nvr2old View Post
        I think going over it all with the scotch bright pad would still help the overall finish, too, Steve. The wire wheel definitely scuffed it up, but you might see the wire wheel marks a bit, especially in black. Might try painting just a small portion first to see for sure.
        Larry, I went over the engine cases with the Scotchbrite 7447 and that did a very nice job of prepping them. Thanks for the help. Today I spent several hours masking the engine cases & gasket surfaces for painting. Weather is humid this afternoon so I will wait till Saturday morning.

        I received a call from All Coat Finishes here in Colorado Springs, my GPz frame and all parts here are done.


        They did a real nice job for $175, masked all the swingarm pivots, engine mounting points complete coverage but not too heavy. I will tape off the frame surrounding the VIN and blend that in.


        Steve

        1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

        Comment


          Shiny new parts is always so gratifying to see. It's gives you the boost you need to move on to the next phase..nice work, Steve.
          1979 GS1000S,

          1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

          Comment


            That's a Hell of a lot of powdercoating for $175. Looks great!
            http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

            Life is too short to ride an L.

            Comment


              Wow, agree in the great powdercoating deal. Amazing! Looks great.
              Ed

              To measure is to know.

              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

              Comment


                Painted the rest of the engine today . . . my back is killing me

                Filed the road rash out of the Generator & Points Cover last weekend


                Lot of effort in taping






                Used a little more than 2 cans on the engine including the Head & Cylinder






                Steve

                1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

                Comment


                  Amazing the results when you take your time and prep the parts, eh..? They look brand new. Nicely done.
                  1979 GS1000S,

                  1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, 1982 Honda MB5 w/CR80 motor, 1977 Honda "nekid" Goldwing, 1976 Honda CB550F cafe', 1972 Honda XL250 cafe'

                  Comment


                    Originally posted by tkent02 View Post
                    That's a Hell of a lot of powdercoating for $175. Looks great!
                    They originally told me one week but their sand blaster crapped out and they didn't notify me. I am thinking they felt guilty and charged me less. Here is a couple of photos of the frame out on the light for a Monday evening



                    Specks you see are pollen/dust



                    Last edited by srsupertrap; 05-19-2014, 08:42 PM.
                    Steve

                    1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

                    Comment


                      I would have paid double that and been happy. Hopefully they fully sandblasted everything beforehand.
                      Ed

                      To measure is to know.

                      Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                      Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                      Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                      KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                      Comment


                        They did sandblast everything, I stopped by a couple of days before I picked it up.

                        Sprockets & Chains: I have to replace my chain because its kaput. I am switching from the 530 to 520 chain because the 84-86 GPz550's which made 65HP were equipped with a 520 chain from the factory.

                        I also found a set of JT sprockets on Amazon
                        Front: http://www.amazon.com/JT-Sprockets-J.../dp/B0031702MA $12.50
                        Rear: http://www.amazon.com/JT-Sprockets-J.../dp/B006SRYIB6 $ $21.62

                        Any recommendations for a 520 O-ring chain? Never used JT chains I am only experienced with RK630 chains.
                        Steve

                        1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

                        Comment


                          The GPz550 rear brake pads were almost down to metal & the disc needed replacement or help. I decided to have the disc resurfaced with a rotary surface grinder.



                          After





                          Anyone know of a source for just the black seal on the tire air valve assembly below? GPz 550 has tubeless tires

                          Steve

                          1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

                          Comment


                            You can buy tubeless motorcycle tire valve stems at NAPA for something like $5.00. They fit right in the chamfered hole.
                            sigpic

                            SUZUKI:
                            1978 GS1000E; 1980 GS1000G; 1982 GS650E; 1982 GS1100G; 1982 GS1100E; 1985 GS700ES
                            HONDA: 1981 CB900F Super Sport
                            KAWASAKI: 1981 KZ550A-2; 1984 ZX750A-2 (aka GPZ750); 1984 KZ700A-1
                            YAMAHA: 1983 XJ750RK Seca

                            Free speech is the foundation of an open society. Each time a society bans a word or phrase it deems “offensive”, it chips away at that very foundation upon which it was built.

                            Comment


                              Those disc's look awesome Steve. How much did it cost you to have them machined?
                              Ed

                              To measure is to know.

                              Mikuni O-ring Kits For Sale...https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ts#post1703182

                              Top Newbie Mistakes thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171846

                              Carb rebuild tutorial...https://gsarchive.bwringer.com/mtsac...d_Tutorial.pdf

                              KZ750E Rebuild Thread...http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...0-Resurrection

                              Comment


                                Originally posted by Griffin
                                You can buy tubeless motorcycle tire valve stems at NAPA for something like $5.00. They fit right in the chamfered hole.
                                I will check it out this weekend, Thanks

                                Originally posted by Nessism View Post
                                Those disc's look awesome Steve. How much did it cost you to have them machined?
                                Thanks Ed, Not cheap @ $55 per but beats the EBC alternative. It's same guy who used to advertise on EBay around 2009.
                                Steve

                                1979 GS1000E (45 Yrs), 1981 GPz550 (11 Yrs)

                                Comment

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