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Hi everyone,

Big thanks to Bill, admins and moderators for keeping the site going.

Recently registered again.

I have had a Z13 since 94/95 time. I originally had a UK spec 79 A1 in black with red/gold pin striping. A few years later I sold the A1 in order to buy a US import 1980 B2 Touring.

It had been re-sprayed an awful metallic pale rose red - which had to go.

After I while I missed the bare bike so set about buying all of the parts to convert my B2 to an A2. Headlamp & ears, seat, tail etc.

So now I have a bike that can be dressed as A2 or B2. I used to swap it around twice a year.

Done a few mods. A friend made leather seat covers for both A2 and B2 seats to the original patterns.

All body panels re-sprayed in House of Kolor paint. Tangerine Kandy lacquer over metallic Lapis Blue Shimrin. Looks amazing in good sunlight but just look brown otherwise

chrome swing arm and side stand

Dyna 2000 electronic ignition

ZX11 cam chain tensioner

Unfortunately it's been off the road for about 5 years now. I am just getting it back together now. I had it running but too bad to idle and tune. 3 cylinders had below spec compression and there was a difference of 2 bar between cylinders. So I'm stripping it again to fit a 1370 big bore kit and I've stripped the carbs completely, had them ultrasound cleaned and will be refitted with completely new brass.

For those that are interested I have captured a lot of the engine renovation on photobucket and can be seen here:

s1195.photobucket.com/user/zed_thirteen/...0Engine%20Renovation

Thanks for all the help - there will be questions!

David

Welcome David, Great pictures, what silver spray paint did you use on the engine? I'm at the same point in my project. Looks great!! Bob

I stripped the cases completely and made 10m acrylic masks for all of the covers on a router table. Scrounged a load of rubber bungs to block all of the other holes and had the cases bead blasted by a local company.

The cases were then primed in Hammerite special metals primer and then given 3 gun coats of Hammerite Smooth Silver (thinned with Hammerite thinners as I've heard mixed feedback on cellulose thinners).

I am slightly worried that the special metals primer will not stand the cylinder head manifold temperatures (according to Hammerite their products do not adhere/key to aluminium without it).

Lots of other people in the UK have can sprayed Hammerite Smooth Silver without using the primer and swear by it.

I have been spraying bike engines with Smooth Silver & Smooth Black Hammerite for 20 years & have NEVER had a problem.
You dont need the primer, you just need to get the engine very, very clean before painting........as you do with any metal you paint.

The secret is to get every bit of loose paint off then hand paint the motor with Hemmerite Thinners & let dry FULLY.

If you really want to make it work, then use a heat gun to warm the metal up to body temp just before you paint.

Also leave your Hammerite rattle cans in warm water for 15 minutes before using as it comes out of the can much better when warm & adheres better too.

I have now painted over 10 x Z1300/6 engines over the years & still see 3 or 4 of them & the paint is still 100%. Many owners have tried other paints & not got the same results.

I recommended this paint to owners on the UK Owners website many years ago (before I was banished from the site) & have had 10's of owners email & call me telling me how happy they have been with the outcome.

I know this paint very well as its manufactured 1/2 a mile from where I live in Prudhoe Northumberland UK.......

Regards

Pete F

The Hammerite certainly looks great when used on these engines, Pete. But did I read somewhere that petrol / gasoline, if spilt on the painted surfaces, reacts with the Hammerite?

Dave F - a fantastic detailed photo album of your engine restoration. I salute you and all your evident hard work. I'm envious, though, of your wall board of Kawasaki special tools!

I had a spare ignition housing (or it might have been the timing sprocket cover) which I had painted and had been allowed to dry for at least 3 weeks.

I then left this half submerged in petrol for a week and it came out fine. I think it had discoloured but it didn't dissolve the paint. I also think the yellowing polished off. I can't find it now though.

That tool board is only partially populated by the way - I would like to complete it but I don't' find I need a lot of those tools. The drive shaft holder is very useful but not essential.