Brat-ish build: '81 KZ-440B

I used Thermo-tec sealant for my pipes. It was a pain to find the Copper stuff up here, but you should have no problem finding the black. Just Google it and look for a distributor near you. Or order it online. Get a couple of cans though, because one of mine just died about half way through.

For the engine. Degreaser (I had the fortunate accident that Seafoam penetrant cleaned most of the hardcore grime off when I hit all of the fasteners on the engine with it), then Aluminum Jelly, then sanding with an angle grinder through a couple of levels of grit and finally buffing. Doing it by hand is a one-way ticket to Hell.

Killman wrote: I used Thermo-tec sealant for my pipes. It was a pain to find the Copper stuff up here, but you should have no problem finding the black. Just Google it and look for a distributor near you. Or order it online. Get a couple of cans though, because one of mine just died about half way through.

For the engine. Degreaser (I had the fortunate accident that Seafoam penetrant cleaned most of the hardcore grime off when I hit all of the fasteners on the engine with it), then Aluminum Jelly, then sanding with an angle grinder through a couple of levels of grit and finally buffing. Doing it by hand is a one-way ticket to Hell.

well, i work fast...I just went out and got some DEI silicone sealant for the wrap (in black). Maybe i'll spray the engine down with degreaser and take a wire wheel on the angle grinder to it. I don't think that'll be too hard on the cooling fins.

I used the silicone sealant on the exhaust wrap and took out the cam chain tensioner to clean it out, well i snapped the adjusting bolt off and had to drill it out. I ate through some of the housing too but managed to get it back on the bike somewhat functional i think, maybe it's just paranoia but the cam chain sounds louder now; so i ordered a new housing for 20 bucks off the bay.

Went for a short ride to cure the sealant and snapped some more pics of beautiful Cleveland:

Nice job, and really nice pics.

Killman wrote: Nice job, and really nice pics.

thanks man, and thank you for the encouragement to seal the wrap, it def looks better.

i tried using an angle grinder with wire wheel on the engine but it's too abrasive. I think i'll just polish the engine as much as possible and maybe this winter take the head off (leave the motor in the frame) and just paint that black. I think it'll look pretty good like that.

I think you're right.

I had some extra time and i'm a little in-between ordering more stuff (tires, sprockets) so i decided to have a go at shaving the seat down, I think it turned out ok.

Before and after:



after about 1.5hrs of messing around with a steak knife...

Don't know what a pro might prefer, but seat-cushion foam is easily carved with a bread-knife (manual :lol: or electric) or a hack-saw blade.

Good Fortune!

Patton wrote: Don't know what a pro might prefer, but seat-cushion foam is easily carved with a bread-knife (manual :lol: or electric) or a hack-saw blade.

Good Fortune!

ooo a hack saw would have been perfect! I used a serrated steak knife.

Took off the cyl head cover this afternoon to paint it with VHT gloss black. Will put it on tomorrow and snap a pic of it on.

Looks great! What did you do with the front master cylinder? I just replaced my bars and they are to short for the large master cylinder.
I started changing them tonight but ran into the master cylinder being to large.

cmazzoni16 wrote: Looks great! What did you do with the front master cylinder? I just replaced my bars and they are to short for the large master cylinder.

There is no front MC on it because it has drum brake in front (uses cable). Ed