Handlebar Controls

I would like to restore the controls on my Z1. I was wondering if anyone here does controls, or if you know someone who does them? I would be interested in doing them myself.

I use artist oil paint for the letters. Paint the body with semigloss black, let dry then apply the color to the recessed letters. Wipe off the excess and you're done.
Steve

Easy to do Hardrock, finishing-up one this morning. What year are you doing? I have an easy to do it! You don't have to try to fill each font in, just swipe.

Here are the tools I use. using the cosmetic sponges you just swipe across the surface. First pass don't worry about leaving a haze of paint. When paint is dry, moisten a sponge with mineral spirits, blot excess on clean rag, swipe off haze. Note the shallow recesses on choke levers, this technique allows a nice crisp job.

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone bake the shells after painting? Should I laquer afterwards?

Asphalt, those controls look nice! Cosmetic sponges eh? Thanks for the hint.

Is there any place that supplies the internal switches and stuff?

I'm NOT a painter but I use Low Gloss Black DE1634 Duplicolor Engine enamel with Ceramic. I blast off existing paint/corrosion, SEM self etching primer...wait.. then Dupli-Color it. They were Not glossy when NOS. The knobs (levers are still plentiful as well as Horn/Start buttons/springs (the same). Internal stuff I have Zinc re-plated as required. Wiring sheath I get in bulk from Vintage Connections as well as connector blocks and terminals. Also if your locator tab is missing, a lot I see are, I tap in a M5 grub screw.

Asphalt,
Your work is first class.
I have tried masking and spray paint and hand painting, your work is the best I have ever seen.

I have 4 sets of switch blocks of which the on off switches have crumbled where do you find those?

Thank-You! Yea I have tried it all too, paint pens, fine tipped paint brushes, all that was just a sloppy mess. Now it takes about 10 minutes to complete each switchblock. AND they are crisp characters, live and learn I suppose.

9er rider, Crumbled? The selector knob or the internal bakelite contact pad for the slider?

9-er, which style of switchblock on/off/on do you have? Two styles shown. The knob was never offered separately for the Z1/KZ900-1000 but I have found a way around the earlier 72-75 versions. Only the top can be used, just remove the e-clip and transfer to your existing lower plate.

My kill switch contact plate crumbled so I used Super glue and JB Weld to beef it up. Been working since 13. Because of my cruise control I don't use it much.
Steve