1979 KZ650 Restoration

Is that the Valspar Tractor and Implement paint from FF (or F&F around here)?

I think I used that same paint on my frame (with the hardener) and it seemed to turn out okay, but it got scratched in a few places when I reassembled the bike (mostly my fault). I tried to use it on my body pieces for some detailing, but it seemed to spray differently than when I had first used it (more of a splatter than a spray) - probably because it was too old after being opened and was kept in the garage.

Did you do one coat or multiple?

The Valspar is from FF, but the gloss black is not from the Tractor and Implement line of paints. It is just their basic gloss black enamel, it has a higher gloss than any of the Valspar tractor an implement paints. It costs about a buck less per quart too. The hardener is the stuff they sell for their tractor paints. I spray a light tack coat and then a wet coat a few minutes after that. Painting bike frames is a pain in the you know what!!

Had some time to work on the scooter this evening. I assembled the bottom end. Everything seemed to go together pretty good.

Very cool, keep up with the updates and pics

looking good!

kzmk2 wrote:

I am sticking with the glass bead blasting. I hope to have the engine bottom end assembled this week. I was waiting for a crank seal to get here and it finally did today. I'll post some pics of the assembled engine. Where did you get your cases done? I might be interested in going that route on my next project.

Your cases look great, probably as nice as they did right off the assembly line. I got my castings blasted at a deburring/polishing shop called J&P Deburring in Southern California. They have an EDM machine and burned out two sheared off main bearing bolts in my case, then told me they could make my cases look pretty. I said OK, and $115 later all my external casting look better than new

Wow, a long honey do list and work sure can cut into quality motorcycle time. Progress has slown down a bit, but I do have an update. After glass bead blasting, cleaning and honing I have installed the cylinder block. The clutch has been assembled and I have installed the recently polished clutch cover. Assembly of the cylinder head is partially completed.

Here is an update on the KZ 650 restoration. I have rebuilt the front brakes and got them on the bike. Also added the rear shocks, battery box, rear grab bar, headlight brackets, and front directionals. The weather finally warmed up again, so today I painted my swing arm, motor mounts and headlight bucket. I got a run in the bucket that will have to be redone.

I hope to assemble the swingarm to the bike this coming week as well.

The engine assembly is now completed. Everything looked good inside just cleaned everything up and replaced all the gaskets and seals. I checked the valve clearance again (I adjusted the valves and ran the engine before tearing it down)since I cleaned all the valves, no changes were needed. All of the fastners are original, They cleaned up really nice with some metal polish and elbow grease.

I am going to try to get the engine in the chassis tomorrow, that will be another milestone.

Here are the tools that were used for the engine assembly. A home made valve spring compressor, a home made rotor holder, a home made clutch holder, a Kawasaki valve guide/seal tool and a K & N rotor removal tool. Remember when K & N used to make tools? They also made the best superbike bars!!! My MKII has a set of K&N solid aluminum bars, kinda cool!

kzmk2 wrote:

The engine assembly is now completed. Everything looked good inside just cleaned everything up and replaced all the gaskets and seals. I checked the valve clearance again (I adjusted the valves and ran the engine before tearing it down)since I cleaned all the valves, no changes were needed. All of the fastners are original, They cleaned up really nice with some metal polish and elbow grease.

I am going to try to get the engine in the chassis tomorrow, that will be another milestone.

Your engine came out beautiful! :woohoo:

Thanks porchev914, I have to polish the point cover and rotor cover yet. I hope they turn out OK. I am getting sick of the metal polish!!

When you blasted your frame, did you actually use sand or did you use another media? I already bought a Harbor Freight media blaster and walnut shells for the engine, but did you use glass, sand, plastic other for the frame.

Watching your build-up with interest!