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Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Reader Ride. Georgous Kawasaki Z1 Restoration.
Mike sends in these beautiful restoration shots of his well traveled Z1.
He Writes:
Hi,
Thought I’d send pics of my old baby for your blog …
Brought the bike over with me from the UK. Finally decided to do a complete restore thinking it’d cost about $3k … $10k+ later … couldn’t ride it because she was so very pretty.
Sold it after 500 miles but will forever cherish the personal challenge. Screws were self cleaned and re-plated or re-chromed like stock. All parts powder coated. Engine black coat was baked on in my kitchen oven (yes, I was single!). Basically went through what we all go through when it comes to our toys.
Cheers
Michael
Fantastic Work! Don't know how you could let a beauty like that go. Thanks Much!
He Writes:
Hi,
Thought I’d send pics of my old baby for your blog …
Brought the bike over with me from the UK. Finally decided to do a complete restore thinking it’d cost about $3k … $10k+ later … couldn’t ride it because she was so very pretty.
Sold it after 500 miles but will forever cherish the personal challenge. Screws were self cleaned and re-plated or re-chromed like stock. All parts powder coated. Engine black coat was baked on in my kitchen oven (yes, I was single!). Basically went through what we all go through when it comes to our toys.
Cheers
Michael
Fantastic Work! Don't know how you could let a beauty like that go. Thanks Much!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Reader Submittal. Outstanding Kawasaki H2 Restomod / Rescue
Joe Byrd sends in this fantastic :save: of a classic Kawasaki! Having been down this road a few times with Kawasaki Triples myself I can attest to what a fantastic job this is.
Joe Writes:
Steve
After you posted pix of my H1A and my CR500R, you said to let you know about the next one.
My H2 750 Triple
You can see the before and after;
I purchased the "bike-in-a-box" early last fall with the intent of rebuilding it over the winter. The build got off to a late start but by June I had it running.
I call it a rebuild and not a restoration because I just wanted a nice looking, nice running H2 to ride, I did not want a bike too nice to ride. I think it has worked out as planned.
Every part needed something. I did all the work myself with the exception of the powder coating, some machine work (requiring special machines) and applying the paint base coat and clear coat. The painter wanted nothing to do with the decals.
I only bought new parts when I did not have the part or when I could not rebuild the existing part in a satisfactory manner.
I made a lot parts I did not have or could not get, having access to a machine shop is a great thing.
I seemed like everything that should have taken a minute, took an hour and everything that should have taken an hour, took a week.
I replaced every bearing and seal. I installed a rebuilt crank and new pistons in new bores. It got a new clutch and I had enough transmission parts to build one with minimal wear. And as always, H2 transmissions require careful shimming.
I have ridden it about 600 miles so far, I have fixed a few nits and niggles. It took a while but now I have the jetting spot on. And it is running like a strong H2 with no issues.
The first week I had it running, I rode it to a large cruiser extravaganza and entered the 750 in the bike show. Though there were quite a number of metric customs, the H2 won first place in the Asian category!
Joe Writes:
Steve
After you posted pix of my H1A and my CR500R, you said to let you know about the next one.
My H2 750 Triple
You can see the before and after;
I purchased the "bike-in-a-box" early last fall with the intent of rebuilding it over the winter. The build got off to a late start but by June I had it running.
I call it a rebuild and not a restoration because I just wanted a nice looking, nice running H2 to ride, I did not want a bike too nice to ride. I think it has worked out as planned.
Every part needed something. I did all the work myself with the exception of the powder coating, some machine work (requiring special machines) and applying the paint base coat and clear coat. The painter wanted nothing to do with the decals.
I only bought new parts when I did not have the part or when I could not rebuild the existing part in a satisfactory manner.
I made a lot parts I did not have or could not get, having access to a machine shop is a great thing.
I seemed like everything that should have taken a minute, took an hour and everything that should have taken an hour, took a week.
I replaced every bearing and seal. I installed a rebuilt crank and new pistons in new bores. It got a new clutch and I had enough transmission parts to build one with minimal wear. And as always, H2 transmissions require careful shimming.
I have ridden it about 600 miles so far, I have fixed a few nits and niggles. It took a while but now I have the jetting spot on. And it is running like a strong H2 with no issues.
The first week I had it running, I rode it to a large cruiser extravaganza and entered the 750 in the bike show. Though there were quite a number of metric customs, the H2 won first place in the Asian category!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
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