Z900 restoration - Meter bracket/calipers

[tpr]

I have a couple of Z900A4 restoration questions:
1. The meter bracket on my bike had the remnants of some form of foam padding attached to it (presumably to cushion the speedo/tacho). Is this padding standard and, if so, what sort of material is it?
2. What is the best way to restore brake calipers.
Paint/powdercoat?
Sandpaper/sandblast?
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks...

[paul doran]

tpr first of all the foam is a standard fitting and yes it is to help cushion the clocks
as regards the calipers i would'nt recomend sand blasting
you could take them apart and use a paint stripper on the external parts and if you so desired you could have them repainted or powder coated and obviously not including the piston
seal kits are available for the calipers if you want to go the whole hog

[paul doran]

sorry tpr the question about the padding material is it is just foam usually black in colour as its not seen i dont suppose the colour will matter

(Edited by paul doran at 5:19 pm on Oct. 19, 2005)

[Davy Doherty]

Suppose it's down to if you want factory finish or near enough, the calipers were originally painted not powder coated, and stripping them of their original paint can be a nightmare i'd prefare to powder coat more durable and brake fluid resistant to boot. what stage are you at with the resto got any pics??

[Garn 1]

Tpr, as stated, the colour of the foam does not matter. It is about 5 mm thick and soft, not easy to cut and hole-punch the irregular shape. More important than the foam is the rubber isolation washers that retain the instruments to the bracket. Make sure these are firm and the correct standard items.

I find powder coating the best and relatively resistance to brake fluid, although I've heard of another process "ceramic coating" that is better still. For restoration work, it is nice to have them satin black, rather than gloss.
It is difficult to mask the area to be left un-powder coated. There is a special masking tape that is heat resistant (expen$ive) for this purpose. I do get them bead blasted in powder-coating preparation, plugging all small orifices.

[KnowItAll]

Foam for the clock mounts should be same as for 1973-75 and was still available from US using these part Nos.

25019-025 , 25019-026, 25019-027 & 25019-028
Try www.bikebandit.com

Mike

[KnowItAll]

Just checked on www.bikebandit.com & all still available
~ฟ for the four.

Mike

[Sorf]

Do you reckon Bike Bandit would actually have these? have looked here before, notice that have shiny new master cylinders, airboxs with lids etc. etc. 900A-4's.
Looks a bit like you would order and they'd say oops! sorry these aren't available anymore.

[tpr]

Thanks all for the advice, appreciate it. No pics yet, Davy - it is in bits out being painted, chromed, respoked etc. Will place an order with bike bandits but I have had the same experience as Sorf in the past.
Had a third question I should have asked last night - the brake junction box was originally matt black anodised. How do you guys restore this piece? Thanks...

[gbh]

Kawasaki Japan only list the 25019-025 sponge as available. Cost ũ.80 each, perhaps you're better off cutting out some suitable foam.
Regarding the brake junction (and master cylinder), the finish is called "Alumite".

[KnowItAll]

Sorf,
You'd be amazed at what they can get hold of. I've bought a lot of NOS parts from them in the last 18 months for my Z1B.The painful bit is the postage.

Mike

[tpr]

Thanks gbh for the 'Alumite' tip.
KIA, you're right about the postage being a killer. I placed an order for the four part numbers you advised plus a few more items to make the postage worthwhile. The only item available on my order was one piece of foam (Ŭ.35) so they shipped it (then advised me) and charged a fortune for shipping. One extremely expensive piece of foam!!

[tpr]

gbh, did you ever get your m/c and splitter finished in Alumite? I think I read somewhere that you had found a place in Japan to do it. I can't find anyone here in West Aust. who knows what it is.

Also, a question for the purists. Does anyone know what the finish should be on the Z900A4 caliper assembly bolts - zinc plated or bright chrome? The caliper fitting bolts are chrome but not sure about the other bolts.
Thanks

[DogsbolloxofZ1B]

Reply refers to Q about bikebandit. I've bought tons of rare Z1 stuff from them, what you have to do is place an order and they confirm via e-mail whether the items are available, usually takes 2-3 days, they have never taken payment unless items are available. To avoid massive postage costs its best to have a Billing address/ contact in the USA who can forward the items to you.

Mike

[tpr]

Suppose it's down to if you want factory finish or near enough, the calipers were originally painted not powder coated, and stripping them of their original paint can be a nightmare i'd prefare to powder coat more durable and brake fluid resistant to boot. what stage are you at with the resto got any pics??

Almost 3 years since Davy asked for pics and I now have a couple of before and after of the Z900-A4. Still have the electrical and brakes to complete then hope to have it on the road before summer. The motor on the bench at the rear of the bottom photo is a Z1000-A1. Everything on the Z1000-A1 has been painted, chromed, vapour blasted and polished (except painting of the bodywork) - will probably take another 3 years to get that one reassembled though!