TOPIC:

Hey Gang-I put a call out to Kawasaki Canada today to inquire about the paint code for the 1977 Kz 650 Custom-Moon Dust Silver. They told me they do not have any paint codes for older bikes but suggested that I contact their paint re-seller (I think that's what they called the company) Best Buy Paints and they would be able to help me out

So I called Best buy Paints @ 1.800.461.2324 and they didn't have a clue about the color match. They suggested that I re-contact Kawasaki Canada.

I am going to try a different angle and track down Kawasaki North America's archivist and see if they can dig up the old Kz paint codes from the seventies for our members. I am a verrrrrry stubborn S.O.B. when it comes down to getting through to the corporate shirts and digging for answers.

I will keep y'all posted.

Cheers- Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

cant some paint supply places match paint with a computer?

Hey Wireman. The short answer is yes. They can get pretty close with the scanner matching if there is an original piece to work from. However, age, sun, detergents and chemicals tend to fade the paint from the factory finish so it is difficult to find an exact match. This info is from two of my buddies, one who is an absolute perfectionist auto body painter with 25 years experience and the other is an instructor at a major paint manufacturer's training center. To be safe, they tell their clients that there can be a small degree of error because of these factors.

I will keep everyone updated with my investigation.

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

how about the area under the seat on the back of the tank or tailpiece those areas dont get as much exposure?

Or you can take a trip to Ron's house and steal a set of his body work.

Colin:

I also suggest that you contact Jeff Saunders directly (in case he isn't watching this thread). He has a person he deals with in Japan (and I have been in touch with this person on other bike matters and he was very helpful) who is very tightly connected with the Japanese market. This person has claimed that paint samples (e.g. KHI original touch-up paint)for many models of KZ vintage are still available in Japan.

Colin, I'd like to piggyback on your research. I'm looking for the paint code for 1977 kz 1000 green. Everywhere I look, I get the same answer (i.e., just get it computer matched). These paint codes have to exist somewhere. Let me know what you find out.