1978 KZ1000 luminous green

I have a '78 KZ1000 that was factory painted in luminous green. Some 25 years ago, I decided that green wasn't cool so I painted it black. Well, you guessed it, I would like to put her back to original. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what available color would come close to the original? I would also like to replace the tank and tail pin striping as well. Any idea where I can find those decals?

Thanks much!

I had the same delema with my red 77. I found a guy who has the colors for those old bikes. It is a three layer process. Metal flake, translucent color and than clear. The guy also mixes it in the oryginal lacqer but I would reccomend to use Poly-U clear. I will have to give you that info when i get home tonight. Here hoever is a link to your decals.
www.reproductiondecals.com/default_frame...tml?kaw_sm.html~main

Post edited by: otakar, at: 2008/02/29 15:31

Thanks otakar,

I look forward to the info when you get the chance. BTW, I am just north of you about an hour. Very impressive list of bikes you have there. I have always admired the Z1-R....it's one of the reasons why I bought a ZRX when they came out.

Here is a websight and email for the guy who handels the KZ paint. www.paintworkz.com/
paintworkz@peoplepc.com I hope this helps. He has been very helpfull to me.

Post edited by: otakar, at: 2008/03/01 23:17

Post edited by: otakar, at: 2008/03/01 23:22

The 78 Green is a candy green topcoat over a metallic brown basecoat according to the Lubri-Tech color charts, which are available on this website.

I do have a tank that color but I have not yet sanded through the color layers to start working on a color match.

Ralph

I have a 79 project bike with 12k miles on it that needed a new tank. Finding a tank that doesn't need to be repaired is the chore. A guy across the country (I'm in Florida and he's in Calf) posted on Craigslist a green tank with no dents, shinny gas cap and paint is 99% in the green you are talking about. It was $150 delivered. I my wildest dreams I never had hoped to find such a clean tank. I'm leaning towards painting the rest of the bike green now. I really like this color.

culberson I'm curious is your 79 project bike a B model? If so there will be no issues using the 78 tank you found. If your bike is a MKII there may be some fitment problems. I've never tried this swap but the MKII used the boxier style of tank and IIRC they mount differently.

The Gringo wrote:

culberson I'm curious is your 79 project bike a B model? If so there will be no issues using the 78 tank you found. If your bike is a MKII there may be some fitment problems. I've never tried this swap but the MKII used the boxier style of tank and IIRC they mount differently.

My bike is a LTD so a KZ tank fits fine. I am so lucky to fine such a clean tank. Inside looks brand new.