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Post by Walms on Jan 31, 2010 12:18:17 GMT -5
These were "throw-away" bikes, cheap, made cheap, only to last a couple of years to get Kawi's foot in the door and flip owners to the Z1................. Momma Kaw really under estimated the sentimental value we North American peps have I guess eh... Who would have figured they would have the cult following 30 odd years later ;D BTW, other then the poor "looking" welds on the stock frames, were there many cases of weld failures? I've read about tube fractures because of a poorly shimmed motor but haven't heard much about broken welds...
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Post by bake on Jan 31, 2010 12:49:13 GMT -5
I wonder if this was there first attempts at robotic mig welders, I took some time and ground factory and tig welds... they will be fine but definitely not what you want for a show bike, but this bike is just an exercise in retro meets new.............. so my wife can have a fun toy. Onward we go.
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Post by bake on Feb 20, 2010 22:38:27 GMT -5
Finally got some quality time in the garage to do some powder coating, last rotor and caliper are checked off the list as well as 1 test spigot so I got brave and tried the front rim and then got real brave and decided to tackle some tin, Joker was good enough to donate this to my project pearl white, am thinking of some light blue accents or a racing stripe to remind me of my Buell I liked so much Will be interesting to take the pearl out into the sunlight tomorrow and see it it's gonna stay, I am a little dissapointed in the finish but may be able to save it yet.
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Post by givr on Feb 20, 2010 22:49:35 GMT -5
Great job on the powdercoating! The wheel looks fantastic. Have you tried using powder clear coats? Perhaps a clear coat over the pearl would help if you're not satisfied with it.
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Post by bake on Feb 20, 2010 23:00:43 GMT -5
Great job on the powdercoating! The wheel looks fantastic. Have you tried using powder clear coats? Perhaps a clear coat over the pearl would help if you're not satisfied with it. I have some clear but have not tried it yet, mainly because my gun doesn't have whompa to do multiple coats and messing up powder is a real disaster. Maybe it's time to practice on some scrap tin because you are right.... clear should make the pearl pop.
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Post by North on Feb 21, 2010 8:51:19 GMT -5
That wheel looks absolutely gorgeous Bake ;D ;D I concur on the clear as I'm sure you were disappointed with the flat "dry as a popcorn fart" result on the tin +1 on your work... I love it North
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Post by H2 Dude on Feb 21, 2010 15:45:57 GMT -5
Starting to take shape..Looks good bake ! Like the Gold colour of the wheels.
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Post by bake on Feb 21, 2010 23:26:06 GMT -5
One more time, start by stripping to bare metal and then a primer coat sand reshoot, although it doesn't look a lot different in the photo it did come out way better and I think I will find some decals to my liking before a clear coat.
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Post by North on Feb 22, 2010 9:23:10 GMT -5
Yeah that pearl doesn't like cameras too much does it? I can see it has better sheen now though and I look forward to seeing the pics after the decals and clear are on North
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Post by bake on Feb 25, 2010 23:09:22 GMT -5
My work commitment should be done tomorrow so I get to spend way more time building in the near future ;D but I did get some time in on the frame tonight.... after the seat mounts are done it's off to the powder coaters for the frame and my favorite part begins.... and that is nice clean assembly. Machined these adapters to help extend the rear of the frame Installed, (this flash is pissing me off) Tubes roughed in will finish this weekend
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Post by bake on Feb 26, 2010 23:52:14 GMT -5
Pleasant surprise in the mail, triplenut turned the sows ear into a silk purse before after Finished off the frame have 2 options for mounting the taillight, build a mount to attach to the back of the seat or drop it below the seat opinions wanted
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Post by Walms on Feb 27, 2010 0:27:12 GMT -5
Hard to tell from one picture but I like the above the seat option... In fact, would it be possible to embed the light into the seat from behind to make a flush mount? It would mean cutting a hole in the seat but it looks like it might have a similar profile from the picture.
BTW, nice looking frame mod!
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Post by frank on Feb 27, 2010 8:54:40 GMT -5
I like the top picture (back of the seat) better.
Great job on the crank Don!
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Post by bake on Feb 27, 2010 23:54:35 GMT -5
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Post by North on Feb 28, 2010 11:20:29 GMT -5
Very nice Bake... I really like your solution for the tail light and licence plate Awesome work so far and I can't help but think about the original War of the Worlds movie when I see that "eye" sticking out of your back seat ;D You get all the nice jobs because we all can't have the soft touches now can we? North
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