Kawi2strokes.com Forum

When I do a restoration (or a "refresh" is more what I do), I try to keep the vehicle as original as possible. If a part can be refreshed, cleaned, lubricated, repainted, repaired etc, then that is what I like to do. Anyone can just buy all new parts and put them back on the vehicle. I like the challenge (and sometimes the cost) of making something old, like new again. I'm definitely not a concourse kind of guy.
That being said, when I bought this H1E, it didn't have any badges on it. I've posted on several sites trying to find old ones that I can refresh and reuse but have not got any response. I've checked with a couple online stores and they are out of stock. So until I can find a couple good used ones I decided to open up AutoCAD and, to the best of my ability, from many photos online, I produced a 3D image of a 1974 "500" badge. I then sent it to my brother, who happens to have a 3D printer and had him print me out a few prototypes. These are something that I can attach with emblem tape for now and keep looking for originals.
Cost of new repros - ~$60 each
Cost of these - ~ $4 each
They may still need some clean up when I get them but for now they might look OK @ 60 MPH.

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Doug
1977 Kawasaki KZ650 being restored
1968 Honda CB450 Hellcat restored
1981 KZ440C recently restored
1974 H1E Restored and sold
2015 Kawasaki Vulcan S 650
2012 Polaris Sportsman
5 Good Months of Riding in my part of Canada

Nice job!

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"Only cheat the cheaters, boy - you can't cheat an honest man!" Mordecai Jones - The Flim Flam Man.

I would think there are many more people in our triples, and other motorcycle sports that could step up and reproduce a lot of items with a 3-D printer. Sure would help a lot.

Those who can print with Nylon should try reproducing oil tank nipples.

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If it surges, that's normal, upshift.

If you decide to make KH400 side cover badges I'm a buyer. My left side cover badge is barely hanging on after it got caught on some clothing. I haven't figured out a way to keep the original fastened well with a broken post.

I was modelling an H1 distributor cap to 3D print, have it mostly drawn but my 3D printer blew up awhile back and I have not gotten back to repair it yet. 3D printed stuff, the filament fed type, will look ok, but not perfect at all.

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1974 Kawasaki H2B 750, 1981 Yamaha XV750 Cafe, 1986 Kawasaki KDX200, 2003 Honda XR100, 2004 SDG140. 2006 Ninja 500R Turbo intercooled fuel injected.