OMR: '76 KZ900 Restoration/Modification

Hey all,

Since I didn't really nowhere to place this posting in the forum, I figured this is a good as place as any.

As can be reviewed in the next two postings (only 1 image at a time :blink: ) I finally have started putting the old girl back together. Still have a lot of work but she is looking friggin beautiful!

Constructive criticism welcome....

Old Man Rock

Swing Arm Image set 2....

BTW... This is not chrome boys & girls but Buffed Aluminum... :woohoo:

Old Man Rock

Forgot... Paint Job on Tank...

I recently got a gs1100 swingarm to put on my '77 1000. It needs a good cleaning and I would love to end up with it looking close to as nice as yours. Please explain what you did to get it to look that good

lots of block sanding followed by lots of rubbing and buffingB)

Looking good! I'm starting to rethink my 2 year project and get it back together. :blink:

kztee,

As Plummen wrote, patience and time is required. It took me roughly 2-3 days worth of work to strip the arm of factory black paint then sanding and buffing.

The trick is.... Apply your compound for 1 second only on your drill buff wheel while spinning. Don't apply too much at one time for it defeats what your trying to accomplish.

Then apply to your part for buffing. Don't work in just one spot, move it around as you would if sanding for example. The buffing wheel will go black in color as expected for your actually cutting the surface. Once you see that your not really cutting any longer, apply again your compound for 1 second and repeat.

For deep scratches sand down with 80 grit sand paper, then work your way up to 1000 grit to 2000 grit. For light surface scratches then buffing with Tripoli (medium cutting) should work just fine.

Then using a buff wheel on a drill (available at Lowes or Home Depot), buff with Tripoli to remove medium depth scratches and finish off with white compound (light cutting) for Bling!

Use the forum search key "Aluminum Buffing"... There's a lot of these guys that already have it figured out and have provided the answers for some truly beautiful work.

And by all means, post some images once finished and a write up of what you did, share the wealth of knowledge. Good luck!


Old Man Rock

oh yes good job omr.now post soem more of them pictures that you have been keeping from us .btw how is your front end coming?

I like your paint colors. I have been considering a similar combo with red and silver accent striping.

Nice work on the shock mount! Looking good.

When I stop drooling I will get back to you on all of that. lol Love the paint and thanks for the 1 second tip. I just finished buffing my stuff and was holding the compound for at least a couple of seconds. Now I know. I started with the sand paper to remove all of the casting marks, etc. Lot of work that came out to be but I am glad because it was well worth it. I went black emory to the tripoli and then white but man those little scratches take a long time to get out! Don't hold back with the pics.
Pretty soon here I will have some time off and will do the same to my ride.:woohoo:

Maybe this will help...

Caswell tutorial/guidance explains the compounds and buffing wheels to use.

members.cox.net/ruinsofstei/Buffbook.pdf

Remember, Use little (compound) and use often is the key;)

Now onto buffing my rims...

Old Man Rock