'78 Z1-R Engine Repaint

The engine has already been recon'd by the previous owner and is fully assembled and out of the bike - so don't want to split it again for the paint job. It's actually a '79 MkII engine which I think would have been unpainted...? Looking for low cost options to get the old black paint off and repainted with satin black. Was thinking of using a rotary sanding device (Dremel or similar) but not sure of the best way to get into the deep finning to remove the paint... Any ideas? Intend to use Duplicolour/VHT or similar product ...any good/bad etc? Thanks for any feedback.

To remove paint with little to no damage, use baking soda:
www.aircooledtech.com/tools-on-the-cheap/soda_blaster/

And Dry Ice blasting will work similar. For a semi-gloss black paint, look at PJ-1 "Fast Black".

Looks like I'll be going to buy some soda tonight. I have a compressor already so I'm keen to get blasting - many thanks! Have you tried different hose sizes - any comments?

Got some soda, a hose and an air handpiece which was used for blasting (has an inlet for soda medium - perfect!). Hooked it up to the compressor and drum of NaHCO3 and tested it on a painted engine cover as a test. Got the blast to remove some paint but had probs with soda flow - kept blocking at the lower end of the tube.. Diameter of handpiece outlet is about 3mm. Maybe need to sift the soda to make the consistency very thin with no lumps....? Maybe the drum has too good a seal and needs to breathe....? Any ideas?

that has alot to do with the humidity. where do you live? i can only soda blast when its dry.

I have a 76 KZ900 and the engine is in great shape. And not to hijack your thread it just seems like you guys are right on topic with what I am trying to do.

I will soda blast it as well and repaint the whole thing flat black while leaving the fins aluminum gray. But my only concern is the bolts... Do you remove them, cover the holes or paint over them? Anyone else paint a complete engine rather than breaking it into three/four pieces and then having to re gasket everything? Thanks.

Any tips or things to look out for would be much appreciated. Primer needed or no?

I'm on the NSW South Coast and yes humidity is pretty high this time of year! The soda definitely requires to be dry -I've got 25Kg of "standard" soda bicarb, so might need to look at a desiccant or some way of drying and loosening the powder. Also a gravity feed is better - so a professional blast guru told me. I also bought some blasting grit to try with my device - will report results of "improved" soda/blast DIY.

I'll be painting my engine in one lump as it has already been o'hauled -I will be replacing all the bolts/nuts etc after the paint job is done.

Where would you get replacement hardware? I did a google search but have only found a few single sets not a full set. Im painting the engine flat black, fins will stay aluminum color. Black hardware would be cool. Just cant find any. Thanks.

weales wrote: I'll be painting my engine in one lump as it has already been o'hauled -I will be replacing all the bolts/nuts etc after the paint job is done.

I got a full set of chrome cam cover bolts and head bolts from Z1Spares Australia. I'll be getting a full stainless set of Allen screws for the engine covers and sump plate (132 pieces) for about $60-00 Aust from them too. Also try Redlinecycles.com for a great range of Z1 spares. Black hardware - hmm - not seen them, but you could always "black chrome" them...?

Some handsome Kaws -- black engine with shiny bolts.

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/180670...?limitstart=0#180838

Good Fortune!

Have had a couple of attempts with home-made soda blaster to remove the "old" paint off my engine with not much joy! Tried finely sifting the soda before use to remove lumps - also rigged up a small gravity feed reservoir to help flow of soda but not much improvement. Seems like the compressor is too puny - its set to about 90 psi but maybe not enough volume to maintain the pressure? Compressor cylinder is about 20 litres - small handyman job. Looks like I might be taking it for a professional beadblast job then repaint. Will be dropping in to the "master blaster" this arvo for a chat/quote.