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1983 kz550 ltd

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17 Dec 2014 15:55 #656321 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Okay guys and girls. My new air filter with no mice in it!

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My new battery which was recommended by other forum users.

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27 Jan 2015 09:00 - 27 Jan 2015 09:06 #659889 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Sorry, but I have been so busy working on this bike that I havent been updating. I have also been working on another bike so here is what has been happening. I have a lot of the black painted parts finished but did not take pictures, I must have been too busy

Here is my wife pretending to be excited

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Here is rear wheel

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Frame is painted. I ended upsandblasting the whole thing.

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Last edit: 27 Jan 2015 09:06 by fastdave. Reason: left something out

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27 Jan 2015 09:03 #659890 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Also the forks are done

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Rear brake cover is done. It used to be black. I sandblasted it then polished it. How do you get out those tiny little black holes?

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27 Jan 2015 13:27 #659907 by baowow
Replied by baowow on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
I created an account just to say what an awesome job you are doing. I just recently acquired an '80 KZ550LTD and wish I had the means to do what you are doing.

Love it!
The following user(s) said Thank You: fastdave

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  • DoctoRot
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  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
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27 Jan 2015 19:52 - 27 Jan 2015 19:54 #659935 by DoctoRot
Replied by DoctoRot on topic 1983 kz550 ltd

fastdave wrote: Also the forks are done



Rear brake cover is done. It used to be black. I sandblasted it then polished it. How do you get out those tiny little black holes?


Its hard to tell in the picture exactly what they are, either exclusions from the casting or pitting from corrosion. If you want a mirror finish you have to sand past them.
Last edit: 27 Jan 2015 19:54 by DoctoRot.

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28 Jan 2015 17:57 #659996 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Thats what I figured. Yeah. Thats pitted from corrosion. :(
Here is some more pictures of parts that are painted

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Here are the wheels. I polished all the areas that were originally polished and the black parts are now primered.

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Swingarm and other parts primed

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Finally, here iam working on the rearsets.

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Thanks for looking ;)

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  • DoctoRot
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  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
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28 Jan 2015 18:25 #659999 by DoctoRot
Replied by DoctoRot on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Those are pretty small, i doubt you will notice them when the bike is assembled. If it really bugs you, you can try aluminum solder paste. i have never used it but i have heard good things.

www.caswellplating.com/restoration-aids/...l-repair-0-25oz.html

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  • SWest
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  • 10 22 2014
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28 Jan 2015 18:30 #660000 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Looks like you have some good helpers there. My daughter and granddaughter were 900 miles away. Had no money but time, kept me sane. When I did get the money together, it was ready to go. Fresh parts and clean ones made the job a pleasure. Kinda hated for it to end. It never does but you know what I mean.
Steve

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02 Feb 2015 16:56 #660417 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
Wheels are painted and polished to 3000 grit sandpaper. Im going to have new valves installed and my tires put on and balanced. I swear to god if they scratch these things I will be soooo mad. That is proba ly the only thing im not going to do myself. Anyway here are the pics.

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Yes thats my kid helping. Shes almost four.

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  • DoctoRot
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02 Feb 2015 19:56 - 02 Feb 2015 19:57 #660434 by DoctoRot
Replied by DoctoRot on topic 1983 kz550 ltd

fastdave wrote: I swear to god if they scratch these things I will be soooo mad. That is proba ly the only thing im not going to do myself. Anyway here are the pics.


Take it to a bike shop you trust 100% then. The very first set of wheels i ever laced up with brand new Excell rims and stainless spokes, I took to a shop to mount tires on and they put a huge gouge in the lip of the rim, Then the d-bags tried to tell it me it was there when i brought it in! I was furious and I have mounted and balanced my own tires ever since. Its really not that hard and you have the peace of mind knowing it was done right.

I have a theory that motorcycle shops tend to attract the bottom of the barrel mechanics because highly skilled mechanics are working on heavy machinery and trucks and stuff; getting paid good money. Not to say there aren't good motorcycle mechanics out there, but i feel like there is a disproportionate amount of bad to good because bike mechanics don't get paid nearly as much as others working on more complex things.
Last edit: 02 Feb 2015 19:57 by DoctoRot.

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22 Feb 2015 14:00 #662399 by fastdave
Replied by fastdave on topic 1983 kz550 ltd
My rearsets were so pitted I had to sandblast them and then orbital to get past the pits.

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More parts painted and ready to go on

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22 Feb 2015 22:33 #662450 by whirlwind598
Replied by whirlwind598 on topic Re:1983 kz550 ltd
If only I had the means to do as you are with my 750... everything is looking good, can't wait to see the outcome.

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