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Saving a '81 KZ750-E

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05 Feb 2020 10:43 #818663 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Have you tried soaking them with Kroil for a few days? I would definitely try that before resorting to heat. Kroil has always worked great for me. Ed

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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05 Feb 2020 10:50 #818665 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Not sure why I was brain farting about penetrating oil... I have some PB Blaster that I will try - soak them for a few days and give it another try.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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05 Feb 2020 10:52 #818666 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I plan on blasting the emblems a little more - my air pressure was running low and couldn't get all the paint off. FYI
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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05 Feb 2020 12:26 - 05 Feb 2020 12:28 #818670 by calum
Replied by calum on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I used a bit of heat on the studs without any problems. As long as the case is empty you're only heating the aluminium. I've done this on two cases recently and didn't need that much heat.

BTW: good effort trying to restore the emblems. I couldn't be bothered and tracked down some overpriced NOS emblems on ebay.
KZ1000 Restomod ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/614517-1977-kz1000-restomod )
1977 KZ1000A1 ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/616901...-spare-parts-project )
1980 KZ750H ( kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/612054-kz750h-restoration )
2000 BMW F650GS
Last edit: 05 Feb 2020 12:28 by calum.

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05 Feb 2020 16:57 - 05 Feb 2020 16:59 #818684 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I'm going to let these dry for a day or two before I try greasing the letters.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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Last edit: 05 Feb 2020 16:59 by Skidmark.

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06 Feb 2020 09:41 #818715 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I am a bit concerned that the edges of the raised letters is a bit rounded, which will make it difficult to keep a straight edge with the "masking" grease. Maybe sanding them down a bit would sharpen the edge making masking a crisp line easier. If they don't come out well, I can always blast them clean and start over. Again. :P
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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06 Feb 2020 10:02 #818719 by calum
Replied by calum on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
If you just want the raised bits to be gold you could put another couple of coats of gold on, then a coat of black over the top. Then sand the black off the lettering and put a final coat of clear on to hide the sanding marks and protect it all.
KZ1000 Restomod ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/614517-1977-kz1000-restomod )
1977 KZ1000A1 ( www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/616901...-spare-parts-project )
1980 KZ750H ( kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/612054-kz750h-restoration )
2000 BMW F650GS

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  • DoctoRot
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  • Sustaining Member
  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
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06 Feb 2020 11:10 #818727 by DoctoRot
Replied by DoctoRot on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
that's gonna be tough to get a clean line with the grease. I have painted emblems with a small brush, with some patience you can get a reasonably good job, just use a lint-less rag with some light de-greaser to clean up as you go.
'78 1000 Long Term Project
 '80 750G
 750 Twin Big Bore Track Bike

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06 Feb 2020 11:25 #818728 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I am starting to think it might be easier to brush paint around the letters with the black paint. With a fine brush I could follow the base of each letter better than trying to brush the paint on top of the letters.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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06 Feb 2020 12:08 #818729 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I tried hand painting the black background. I have found I don't have the hand control to pull of anything decent looking. So, I painted one completely with semi-gloss black. When it is thoroughly dry, I will sand off the paint from the top of the letters. If it comes out with good looking lines I will give it a coat of clear and call it good.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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06 Feb 2020 18:26 #818739 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I would have preferred the letters to be gold, but the sanding method worked like a charm. I will coat them with a satin clear for the final finish.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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06 Feb 2020 18:41 - 06 Feb 2020 18:45 #818740 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I got the cylinder studs and pistons removed today. Interesting discoloration pattern on the old pistons.


Here is the comparison shot of the stock piston next to the high compression piston.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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Last edit: 06 Feb 2020 18:45 by Skidmark.

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