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Chrome headlight basket
- Ojisan rider
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31 Aug 2023 19:08 #888903
by Ojisan rider
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
Chrome headlight basket was created by Ojisan rider
Aloha guys. I know this is question regarding headlight, but it's more towards painting (if possible), so I'm posting it here. If this belongs to somewhere else, please move it accordingly. But for now, here it goes.
I been upgrading my connectors and wiring harness on my 750. Some wires got bit thicker, some got new and improved connectors. Some got bigger connector (only because that's all I had at that point. At the time of making COVID was the problem, both retail and shipping wise), where some got two small instead of one big ones. Anyway, due to this, wires/connectors that fitted inside the headlight basket no longer fits. Now, my headlight was square one to begin with. So I had little more space but now, I've moved to round ones and space ran out rather quickly.
So I jumped on the computer and searched on the net and found several baskets that I wanted to try, but one problem. Most of them are chrome. But it's composite/plastic basket. so my question is just how hard to paint or remove chrome from this composite.plastic basket? Because of where I live, I tried to black out everything I can within my line of sight. I don't want the sun to blind me. Or if I need to keep the metal color, I'll paint it silver to lessen the reflection. Either way, I'll probably paint the basket anyway so if all possible, I want to remove the chrome finish.
Can it be done or can I sand the basket and prep for paint?
I been upgrading my connectors and wiring harness on my 750. Some wires got bit thicker, some got new and improved connectors. Some got bigger connector (only because that's all I had at that point. At the time of making COVID was the problem, both retail and shipping wise), where some got two small instead of one big ones. Anyway, due to this, wires/connectors that fitted inside the headlight basket no longer fits. Now, my headlight was square one to begin with. So I had little more space but now, I've moved to round ones and space ran out rather quickly.
So I jumped on the computer and searched on the net and found several baskets that I wanted to try, but one problem. Most of them are chrome. But it's composite/plastic basket. so my question is just how hard to paint or remove chrome from this composite.plastic basket? Because of where I live, I tried to black out everything I can within my line of sight. I don't want the sun to blind me. Or if I need to keep the metal color, I'll paint it silver to lessen the reflection. Either way, I'll probably paint the basket anyway so if all possible, I want to remove the chrome finish.
Can it be done or can I sand the basket and prep for paint?
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
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- martin_csr
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01 Sep 2023 06:53 - 01 Sep 2023 06:56 #888913
by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Chrome headlight basket
I would just prime and paint it after cleaning with denatured alcohol. Below are pics of the manifold section of my muffler system with Rustoleum bar-b-q grill paint as a rust preventive measure and it has held up well. no peeling or chips or anything. I've painted the back side of almost all steel parts on my motorcycle, either black or silver and using whatever paint was available. engine paint. bar-b-q paint. wheel paint. without priming anything. I did the inside of the headlight bucket in black bbq but silver wheel paint would've been better.
After wire wheeling and prior to painting.
After wire wheeling and prior to painting.
Last edit: 01 Sep 2023 06:56 by martin_csr.
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- Nessism
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01 Sep 2023 07:21 #888915
by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic Chrome headlight basket
I've painted chrome parts before with good success. The bright surface should be sanded, sand blasted, or etched in some way first, to give the metal some tooth for the paint to hold on to. Chrome is hard, so this is not a trivial task, but it is most definitely doable.
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- Ojisan rider
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01 Sep 2023 19:08 #888934
by Ojisan rider
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
Replied by Ojisan rider on topic Chrome headlight basket
Thanks guys. Never tried paint a chrome parts, so I wasn't sure. I do have sandblaster so will drop the pressure and try to etch it.
Will update once I'm finish with the project. But first, I gotta get the basket.
Will update once I'm finish with the project. But first, I gotta get the basket.
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
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- Nessism
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02 Sep 2023 09:09 #888943
by Nessism
A sharp edged media will work best. Don't use glass bead, it's not aggressive enough.
Replied by Nessism on topic Chrome headlight basket
Thanks guys. Never tried paint a chrome parts, so I wasn't sure. I do have sandblaster so will drop the pressure and try to etch it.
Will update once I'm finish with the project. But first, I gotta get the basket.
A sharp edged media will work best. Don't use glass bead, it's not aggressive enough.
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- TexasKZ
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02 Sep 2023 13:51 #888949
by TexasKZ
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Replied by TexasKZ on topic Chrome headlight basket
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
The following user(s) said Thank You: BCScott
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- Ojisan rider
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02 Sep 2023 22:43 #888959
by Ojisan rider
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
Replied by Ojisan rider on topic Chrome headlight basket
Something like this
Look aggressive enough . I'll send it to ya. What's the turn around time ? Oh, and please, don't be that paint shop ( I had to wait a year to get my frame back. I'm not kidding).
82' KZ750-R1 cafe racer style. Clip-on, Rear set, Fork-Brace, Mikuni Flat-slide (forgot the size), Kerker.
84' GPz750 (basket case). everything are in pieces.
89' ZX750-H1 (ZX-7 Ninja). Resurrection project are on going with my KZ750. Everything is stock.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.