1983 KZ550 LTD Rat project

Clickable thumbnails:

This one is interesting:

Department of Defense? I think I might keep that on there instead of painting for the forks like I'd planned. I kinda like the historical aspect of it.

My plans:

- Repaint rims (Rear wheel off now and sprocket hub repainted. Considering painting the bare metal on the current rims red and keeping the black areas black.)
- Replace the old handlebars with superbike bars (Awaiting installation)
- Repaint tank (Spray-on bedliner or Krylon grill paint? Needs to be durable since I can't clearcoat.)
- Remove exhaust, sand off the rust, and repaint with Krylon grill paint
- Add ammo can saddle bags and relocate rear turn signals (Ammo cans acquired and I've got a plan to mount them.)
- Repaint as much of the chrome as I can flat black
- Eventually add some old school style fork guards
- Repaint the engine (Will only do if I end up having to do major work on the engine. Too much trouble otherwise.)

Any ideas, comments, etc are very welcome!

The new hot paint on rat-Vee-hicles is John Deere Blitz Black. Comes in both ready-to-use spray can and the old trusty spraygun stuff. Goes on almost as a satin, but fades nicely.