1981 Kawasaki GPZ1100B1 winter restoration project

Yup - '91 Mercury Paint Code 'EA' is what I use. I'm thinking about painting my '83 GS1100 Suzuki the same color.

GPzEric wrote: Yup - '91 Mercury Paint Code 'EA' is what I use. I'm thinking about painting my '83 GS1100 Suzuki the same color.

That's a sweet B2 Eric! The colour looks spot-on in the photograph too.

It sure does look good!

Quick update gents.

Fully cleaned what I have after taking off and sealing up a few intakes.
Much cleaner than it looked earlier to my surprise.
Rims very nice.
I don't think I'm going to pull the motor and will just paint it in place.
The stock exhaust is also in very nice shape, glad to see.

I have the bodywork in a body shop for new paint and decals then a clear coat.
The decals just came from the UK today.

All the stuff on the handlebars will be replaced with nicer/cleaner and some new parts.
The speedo pod and cluster is in excellent condition already.. so that's good.

Also ordered some new powder coated parts, also brand new signals with new covers from Japan.
All filters, new superbike bars, mirrors and grips.

3 new caliper rebuild kits, fork seals and all new top quality engine and fork oil.

I was wondering if "gun Coat" paint in a spray can would be fine for the motor?
Also, any one recommend a good product on painting the pipes?
Also tires, I would like to get something that looks original to the bike. Any one recommend good tires for that?
I'm not up on rubber these days.

Will post more as things move along.

I have been using Pirelli Sport Demon tires (image below) on my KZ650-C1 for a number of years now and I like them a LOT! Ed

Spent this Sunday taking things apart and organizing them.
I am very pleased with the condition of everything. Intake boot rubber nice and soft still. Exhaust in great shape, etc.
No problems that I see and that's unusual.

Will drop the motor, forks and swing arm next weekend.

Thanks for that 650ed, . I have heard those are good tires.
I was thinking the Dunlop K300 thinking it might look a bit more original to the look of the restoration.

Gun Kote in a spray can will have to be baked after you spray your parts. Once you do spray your parts with GunKote they will not be affected by gas or most anything else!!!!

Looks like your GPz had Metzeler tires on it. They were state of the art tires back then.

Who in the UK did you get your tank decals from???

In the past I ran at least 4 different models of Dunlop tires on my BSA and KZ650, and none of them worked very well. I haven't used them in many years and have never used their K300 tires, so maybe they have improved over time, but I'll never buy another set of them. Ed

I got my decals from Ebay
"classic reproduction decals and parts" is the name on there

Hard to tell if they are good with the paper on them. Bodywork should be done in a couple weeks.
I'll know then. But they do have good positive feedback online.

Got her all stripped down today. Next week I'll strip and paint the engine and frame.

Good to know Ed, thanks.

I have semi gloss and gloss paint here.
Looks like the side covers on the motor are gloss but the top end is semi gloss.?
Anyone know ?

And the exhaust I was going to go semi? Does that sound right for an 81?

Got some sand for the blaster in today. Next weekend is the blasting day.