1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[rustybronco]

Ed, those fasteners.... Freeking awesome work!

[Nessism]

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

When I started taking apart the bike I put all the hardware in baggies and labeled everything. That lasted about one day. After getting going on the plating everything came out of the baggies anyway and dumped in a box. It's going to be a jigsaw puzzle figuring out where all that hardware came from. With hindsight, should have measured each bolts as it was removed and kept a log. Oh well.

[winfield]

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

When I started taking apart the bike I put all the hardware in baggies and labeled everything. That lasted about one day. After getting going on the plating everything came out of the baggies anyway and dumped in a box. It's going to be a jigsaw puzzle figuring out where all that hardware came from. With hindsight, should have measured each bolts as it was removed and kept a log. Oh well.

Now that will be magic!

[SVSooke]

Was looking at the parts fiches yesterday to see if Kawi inbeds the bolt/screw sizes in the PN the same as Suzi does.They do and a lot of the sizes are right there in the the description.

[Nessism]

Was looking at the parts fiches yesterday to see if Kawi inbeds the bolt/screw sizes in the PN the same as Suzi does.They do and a lot of the sizes are right there in the the description.

Okay cool, good info. Thanks for the heads up. This bike has increased my awareness of the differences between Suzuki and Kawasaki. Overall I think Kawasaki's service info is slightly better.

[ron bayless]

Okay cool, good info. Thanks for the heads up. This bike has increased my awareness of the differences between Suzuki and Kawasaki. Overall I think Kawasaki's service info is slightly better.

I look forward to seeing the finished bike.

[850 Combat]

I have to hand it to you to take the time do that kind of work.

[Rob S.]

Hello, Jack! (Hijack)

I have not heard anybody using Kal Gard Gun Kote in years!!!! Back in the 70's and 80's Gun Kote was only available in a grayish color. I used to do all my motors in Gun Kote. It looks like its available now in more colors by the nice black on your rim. That rim looks GREAT!!!!

Do you still have to heat the part up first before you spray it, and then have to bake it for like an hour??? Still smell horrible?? Did you get your Gun Kote right from Kal Gard?? Did you use a spray gun??

They used to have KG9600 coatings in all kinds of kool colors to do your rims in. My trademark back then was Gold rims on my bikes. I did a '80 KZ750E1 with gold engine cases, and gold wheels that matched the gold pin stripping on the fuel tank back in in the day.

I'm sorry, I just have to ask, I can't hold it in any longer. Are you the Wes Cooley? (Superbike Champion, etc)

[Wester Cooley]

I'm sorry, I just have to ask, I can't hold it in any longer. Are you the Wes Cooley? (Superbike Champion, etc)

Nope, my family is from Oregon. My Uncle was a famous Congressman from that great state!!!

[ptexotik]

Nope, my family is from Oregon. My Uncle was a famous Congressman from that great state!!!

you mean the tax evading Wes Cooley!??

[Wester Cooley]

you mean the tax evading Wes Cooley!??

Just like any other politician, only difference is he got caught!!!

[recycled64]

Then you'd be #34's cousin, right? I actually met Sr at Riverside Raceway for an ACA demo race at a SCCA race in '67

[Nessism]

Working on the gauges. Condensation behind the glass and corrosion on the outside bezel. Gently pried off the sealing ring and took the units apart. Going to bead blast the housing and repaint next.


P1010534 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010535 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010538 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010540 by nessism, on Flickr

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P1010548 by nessism, on Flickr

[Nessism]

Also cleaned up and clear coated the fork sliders and footpeg brackets. The brackets had a good bit of corrosion on them so I wasn't able to remove the pitting. Bead blasted off the corrosion and rubbed them down with gray scotchbrite before shooting the clear. They look decent but wouldn't mind finding a better set. Later...

P1010553 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010554 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010555 by nessism, on Flickr

[jsandidge]

what clear?

What kind of clear are you using there? Have you used it before?