Archived Posts

Post by **Admin** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:57 pm

Lane,

That is a fantastic looking bike! Whats even better is seeing what can be done with rattle cans.

Thanks for sharing!

Chris,

Post by **Admin** » Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:23 pm

Glad to do it. I hope it will inspire guys to "do-it-themselves". See also Fang's post about painting. He does great work with rattlecans also.

Lane

Post by **Admin** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 8:54 am

Before I check out local decal ,etc. places maybe someone could save me some time- Any known makers of reproduction semi-metallic Blank id. tags- Mine was just barely hanging on and I removed it. It is rough condition but can read most of it--some of the lower right hand secton tore off , I probably removed it of the frame when I was sanding-pre paint a feww years ago. I guess I may be reaching ----------------
Maybe even a very close up picture of a clean one would help me have one custom made, with stamped VIN #.s covered.
Thanks,Mark

Post by **Admin** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:40 am

Try these folks. http://www.reproductiondecals.com/defau ... .html~main
They're honest, prices are fair, and responsive to email. Don't know if they do the ID tags, but I know they do nice quality black on metallic silver adhesive decals. If they don't do VIN plates, they might have a reference or lead for you.

Post by **Admin** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:52 pm

t500k-73 wrote:Try these folks. http://www.reproductiondecals.com/defau ... .html~main
They're honest, prices are fair, and responsive to email. Don't know if they do the ID tags, but I know they do nice quality black on metallic silver adhesive decals. If they don't do VIN plates, they might have a reference or lead for you.

Thanks, I will check it and since posted this question, I checked into Foil laser labels which your suggested co, may do. One company I found on the internet was "Uline" I just glanced over it quickly- my thinking right now is silver print on a clear adhesive film with the silver print and a couple of boxes (like the vin. tag) mounted on a solid black foil,thin, but thick enough to lightly stamp my info. on. ---or so it seems to me.

Post by **Admin** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:13 pm

Don Leeson's company Nostalgic Suzuki used to offer repro VIN plates and stickers. I have one he made for my GT550. Unfortunately, Don was killed in a racing accident at the Isle of Man in September of 05. I think the company is gone and I do not know if anyone has filled this gap.

I second the suggestion to check with Reproduction Decals in Canada:

http://www.reproductiondecals.com/defau ... .html~main

Make sure you actually talk to somebody there or better send them a picture of what you want. They can do a lot of stuff that they don't have on the website.

I'd be willing to bet the original tags were nothing more than a thin ally plate with the black boxes and text silk screened on. Seems like a good t-shirt place could do these.

On the flip side, you are okay with the stamped number on the frame for registration purposes....

Jim

Post by **Admin** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:10 pm

Thanks - that is encouraging just to know it has been done before-Just thought it may add a nice finishing touch to a restoration when the time comes.

Post by **Admin** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 7:24 pm

Nice work, as always Lane!

Post by **Admin** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:04 pm

Is there any product that works on faded paint?

I got a hold of a nice tank without scratches but the paint is faded on it...

I see a bunch of web pages with magic products that say they work, and I see a bunch of pages that say to re buff it in stages.

The paint is actually faded, pretty much like this but this isn't my tank:

(please ignore the fact that it says yamaha : )

Post by **Admin** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:39 pm

Yes there is. It's called paint.

Seriously, what you have there is the candy has faded and all that's left is the basecoat. Nothing will bring the color back.

Lane

Post by **Admin** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:30 pm

Yep, thats kindof what I figured..

but the infommertials sounded so convincing!

Thanks!

Post by **Admin** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:41 am

Beautiful outcome - and well worth the effort. I'm about to get my 71 painted this colour. Would you mind detailing the colours/paint your guy used. I've read the earlier posts but am keen to know the exact process that ended up in your work of art. Also, can you clarify: Did you tank badges screw off or did you prise them off? I have a feeling mine may be a challenge to get off.
Thanks, Mike

Post by **Admin** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:35 am

I am offering my services for restoration of the plastic bodied gauges for the 1972 GT750. If you have some that you would like to see brought back to their original condition, contact me for details.

Post by **Admin** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:18 pm

Hello Mike,

My apologies for not replying sooner, I could not post on the site due to me messing up a change of e-mail request.

The paint came from a specialist supplier in the UK, they can supply many original bike colours I am told (but they are not cheap). The paint ordered was Candy Lavender which has two parts. A silver undercoat and the lavender pigment sprayed over the top.

In my case the sprayer applied the base and lavender first (you usually spray the dark colour last) . The Eagret White was applied and then I guess the hard work started. Basically a clear coat applied and rubbed down, repeat until there is no ridge over the pin striping.

Find a good sprayer, the guy who did mine was as into getting the best result just as much as me and we discussed what was needed (helped by the input from this forum). Candy colours depend upon the depth of coat so they must be savvy and experienced in candy spraying. If you want details of the paint supplier let me know but be prepaqred for a $200 price tag

Tank Badges are held in place by two coutersunk screws, as the Haynes Workshop Manual would say "remove the two screws abd the badges can be removed from the tank" If they are mangled/corroded the HWM is worth zilch

If this is the case post some photos so we can see what the problem is.

Cheers Zunspec

Post by **Admin** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:48 pm

As the garage roof was being re-done today the bike has finally left the workbench and seen the fresh light of day.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2300/211 ... 1142_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2237/212 ... f319_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/212 ... 61da_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2401/211 ... 6e0a_b.jpg

Faced by a herd of stampeding Wilderbeest I had to take a little pootle up and down the street

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-a8b2_NNnW4

Don't know where that short fat bald bloke riding my bike came from, bloody cheek

Cheers Zunspec

Archived Posts

Great Job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tag on frame head 1975 T-500M

Faded paint

Buffalo gauges

T500 - 1st little ride