Tank Emblems

I just got a 1976 KZ900. The tank has been painted and the emblem holes filled. I just got some badges from AmericanCassix and the badges are straight and need a curve to them in order to fit the tank. Is there a way to clean the attachment holes out to fit the screws in or is applying glue/tape my only choice ? Also, how can I get the badges to get the curve into them without breaking them ?

If you know exactly where the holes are located, you can drill out the filler with a 2.5mm drill bit. Then chase the threads with a M3 x 0.5mm tap. The badges should bend easily by hand to the curve of the tank.

holes are probably full of bondo,hard to remove without messing up paint.
bend them a little at a time slowly along length of emblem,keep checking progress

You might be able to run a magnet across each side of tank, get you close, 3m makes a good emblem adhesive, just sucks if you ever need to remove emblems.

Try putting some felt or kraft paper behind the badges when bending them to protect the paint. The badges are soft aluminum and will bend easy so you can bend gently by hand and check occasionally for fit. The mounting screws if properly located will also help to conform them to the tank side profile.
Good luck! david

You can clean the bondo out of the screw holes if you can find them and hopefully the plates have not been cut off, hammered down, brazed up, or badly dented in before the bondo was applied. :ohmy:

Also some of the reproduction emblems are a hard diecast and are tough to bend. Seems like only the ones that come from Kawasaki or their supplier are soft aluminum and form easily to the tank shape.

ACE Hardware: E6000

Use this at work on plastics and glass... Dries & bonds rubbery and holds up well in heat or cold... COmes in clear or black.

Beauty is if you need to pull off it peels all in one piece compared to RTV...

$6... Good stuff....

If you decide to drill out the holes, do not drill thru the tank.
Several folks here on KZR have done that.