Trying to Rescue a Late 1970s (1977??) Kawasaki KZ1000

A bit more on installing the carbs, air box, and air filter.

I'd like to get more original parts for the air box, but I hope that'll come once I get it running.

More pictures for you comments........thanks.

All progress is good 

I was fortunate to have an ad pop up for some KZ900 parts not too far from me, so I picked up a 1974 KZ900 rear fender which is reported to fit my 1977 KZ1000.  And indeed it does fit.  There's a bit of chromium plating rusted through, but it looks fine at 5 or more feet.

Here are a few pictures.

I've got a lot of wiring to do so I have some patience searching for the taillight.

There seems to be a few local KZ650 Kawasaki being scrapped, and I wonder it that tail light would fit?  Thanks.



 

I wrote earlier that painting skills have eluded me despite efforts and learning.

But it was time to rattle the can of RustOleum Blue Cobalt Metalflake,....... and accept the results.  This is of course not a Kawasaki color, but it might suit the period.  I joke that it is Jimi Hendrix Purple !!

Fall weather was the right temperature and right humidity, and pollen counts were low for in-garage painting.

I'll include all four pictures as they illustrate how viewing angle affects the color.

It's not as glossy as I was hoping, but I do have a clear coat and a test piece to experiment.

The tank will change color tomorrow morning.

 

Looking good so far.  
Remember - resist that "one more pass" urge!  

Got the tank painted this morning,....... managing to avoid runs.  

Tooth picks in the badge screw holes hopefully kept the threads clean.

The tank is a big acreage of blue, and needs to be broken with some pin striping (or perhaps flames as my buddy suggested!!).

But what color pin stripes?  Yellow/mustard is blue's complementary color, but I have no artistic sense.  What color pin stripe should I use?