Saving a '81 KZ750-E

Because I usually end up going down the wrong path first... After my morning coffee, I decided I better get a tape measure out and check the engine size versus the size of my blast cabinet. I could fit the engine in the cabinet, barely. Leaving no room to maneuver the gun. Well, crap! That lead to finding a company nearby that does soda blasting. So the u-turn on this build rears it's ugly head yet one more time. Now it is going to be completely disassembled so I can take the cases in for soda blasting. Always a learning experience. Always. One step forward, two steps back.

If now your going to source out the blasting, I’d recommend finding someone that can vapor hone. The finish will be much higher quality.

Mikaw wrote: If now your going to source out the blasting, I’d recommend finding someone that can vapor hone. The finish will be much higher quality.

I'd agree if the engine was going to be left as is. As it's being painted I'd be worried about the paint peeling/flaking off a vapor honed surface.

Vapor honing would require shipping the engine cases. I really do not want to risk shipping damage. The nearest vapor hone company is in another state. Being in northern Nevada has a few drawbacks (not many!) and locality to businesses is one. The nearest motorcycle salvage yard is in Sacramento (3 hours one way). And they won't tell you what bikes they have in stock... I do have a line on a vapor honing company that was well recommended by a friend who has used them, but the shipping risk I am still not willing to take. There aren't too many of these motors around, and replacing the cases with an internet purchase is risky at best. Being that I got this bike from the original owner, this is the first time the cases have been separated since it came from the factory.

So the local soda blast guy retired and is not longer in business. So why not do another about face? I decided to take the top end off, mask everything off, and get it into my blast cabinet after all. Every part will still get a thorough cleaning after paint anyway. So here we are, ready to go into bead blast...

I blasted my engine in my blast cabinet. Only thing that wasn't was the cylinder head which was soda blasted outdoors. The head has blind oil passages which are not easy to clean so you gotta be careful there. The cases, even if you get media inside, can be cleaned easily enough.

Nessism wrote: I blasted my engine in my blast cabinet. Only thing that wasn't was the cylinder head which was soda blasted outdoors. The head has blind oil passages which are not easy to clean so you gotta be careful there. The cases, even if you get media inside, can be cleaned easily enough.

My cylinder head was cleaned ultrasonically when the head was rebuilt. No blasting necessary. It did not take all of the original factory paint off, but it remains mostly deep between the fins.

I took the engine out f the cabinet to blow it off and look for areas missed. I got around 80-90% of it, so back into the cabinet this morning for more blasting. Once I get it done and cleaned, I will put more pics up.

Hmmm. Okay, it has to go back in a third time. The glass bead fills up pockets blocking the view making it hard to get full coverage. The clutch cover will be shot on it's own - it is just a masking device for the case blasting. The starter area I wasn't worried about since it will not be seen.

Glad your making progress after the setbacks... getting there!

Knocking the ugly off it!!!

After I put the top end back on and clean the entire engine, I should be ready to get it on the engine mount and be ready for paint. High temps, low winds, and low humidity are in the forecast for the next 3 or 4 days. Conditions are good to get the black on. I'm ordering the high temp clear tonight. Some local touch up may be required so I have time before the clear is needed.