Dad’s retirement KO CT70

[rfranks]

So now it’s time to restore the speedo. It’s been a long time since resetting one of these. I figured I’d just restore six of them all at once and I forgot how long it takes to remove the bezel the right way… ugh! I have 4 ko’s and 2 hko’s that need done. Does anyone suggest an correct white paint for the face plate and a different white paint for the needle. Pics would be ideal also. I plan to remove the red high beam lens. I have replacements from CHP however after looking at them the pattern is different than Honda’s. I think I am going to try and buff and polish them back to life. The bezels are going to an automotive trim restoration specialist just north of Detroit to have the dings, dents, and scratches removed and polished to a high sheen. I have new graphics also. More to follow.

 

[rfranks]

Here’s the spray outs for my dads bike. Candy sapphire blue from VMR. White primer, silver base, tinted blue topcoat, and then clear. I think somewhere in between the lower color and the middle color on the panel? 2-3 coats of Candy. Open to thoughts and comments.

 

[Gary]

With out comparing that sample panel by holding it up to an actual bike it would be hard to make a guess. Looking at samples on a computer screen isn't the same IMHO. At first look I liked the upper most panel the best.

 

[rfranks]

With out comparing that sample panel by holding it up to an actual bike it would be hard to make a guess. Looking at samples on a computer screen isn't the same IMHO. At first look I liked the upper most panel the best.

They are all the same panel. I held them at different angels and directions to catch the sun differently.

 

[Gary]

I realize that. What I'm saying is without a "control" ie an original sapphire blue bike with your painted panel next to it to pick a best match is meaningless. My monitors color may be different than yours or anyone else's. But if you had them together even if the color is off you could still tell which one is closer. You would be the best judge of match with bike and panel in hand. Even just taking a picture of the original bike in different light the color can look vastly different

 

[rfranks]

Disassembled the speedometer. Took everything apart, had the bezel metal finished and polished. I stripped the face plate and the gauge plate. Then repainted and reassembled.

 

[Gary]

Nice work!

 

[rfranks]

Nice work!

Thanks man. Always trying to get better each time.

 

[rfranks]

Polishing moving along nicely.

 

[rfranks]

Wheels are all finished.

 

[scooter]

Awesome work - enjoying the thread

 

[hambone]

Nice work, maybe my kids will show up with a bike when I retire at the end of the month.

 

[Gary]

 

[rfranks]

Well it’s been since Labor Day that the shop has had my dads bike. Sadly, I missed the retirement mark and Christmas. The wonderful cloudy Ohio Day does not do the paint justice! It’s beautiful and pops, just waiting for sunny days to come. I gave my dad the engine for Christmas and he was blown away. I said “I feel it’s better we build this together, it’ll mean more”. I can count on one hand tha amount of times I’ve seen him cry. If anyone is wondering VMR paints is spot on. Told the body shop to sea the bike in white and two heavyish coat of the candy. It rocks! More to follow….

 

[rfranks]

Yes the photos make it look dark, it’s not. Where’s the damn sun! Lol

 

[Robert thran]

Did they seal it in white then spray the blue ?. No silver base coat on top of the white sealer? If not the white base coat will make the candy look way different than the way the factory did it with a silver base…I’m sure it looks amazing either way. In the pics it sure does.. don’t feel bad there’s no sun even in Florida right now!!!

 

[rfranks]

Did they seal it in white then spray the blue ?. No silver base coat on top of the white sealer? If not the white base coat will make the candy look way different than the way the factory did it with a silver base…I’m sure it looks amazing either way. In the pics it sure does.. don’t feel bad there’s no sun even in Florida right now!!!

No they use the white sealer before putting down the cloud silver. It is all done correctly as far as cloud silver candy blue than clearcoat

 

[rfranks]

Have been assembling sub assemblies over the last week with my dad in their basement. Things are going smoothly with this build. More pictures and updates to follow.

 

[allenp42]

Your work looks great. I'm sure your dad will appreciate this bike. Kudos to you for doing it.

 

[rfranks]

Need to get it in the natural light to make the candy paint pop