Kawi2strokes.com Forum

I am restoring a 76 KH500 and its getting close to painting time. I don't especially care for the two colors shown for 1976:

http://3cyl.com/mraxl/paint/triple_colo ... od08e.html

The original color looked like the brown from 1975, with 76 style stripes, production was 6/75 and the vin is later than 47000.

I am thinking about painting it an incorrect color. Either the green or blue from 75 with 75 style graphics.

http://3cyl.com/mraxl/paint/triple_colo ... od07e.html

My goal is to have the bike look nice and original but it will not be a RB level bike. It is not for immediate resale but like all projects may need to be moved to make room and finance the next.

Am I committing a major violation of restoration etiquette ?
Am I destroying eventual resale value ?

The opinions of the triple fans would be valued, thanks, John

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"Patina" Derived from latin upaytina, definition: Too cheap to fix it

I did my H1 D/E bodywork in a root beer metalic, but am seriously rethinking this paint/decal scheme as suggested by biker Don a couple of years ago.




I am sure what ever color you choose, it will be a looker John.

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Bad decisions make the best stories.

I don't feel that I am the one to ask, but I will give you my thoughts.

"Am I committing a major violation of restoration etiquette ?" Using the word resotration, I'd say yes.
"Am I destroying eventual resale value ?" Destroying is probably a strong word, decreasing is more appropriate.

We have seen three H1's sold on feabay recently. Two were relatively original and sold for quite a chunk of change. The third was a good running nicely maintained bike that was painted strange colors (though I liked it!) and missing turn signals and went for what I would think a somewhat low-ball figure.

I personnaly was looking for a bike that was unadulterated, but not restored when I bought my H1F a few years ago. It is painted the green '75 pattern shown in the mraxle pictures you posted, (the green is not discusses in the legend and most people I talk to say that green was not available on the 75). I am happy with it and its appearance. It looks good and I am complemented everywhere I take it.

If I were throwing everything out the window, I personnally like the H2C purple the best and the H1A Blue the best, but that is quite a stretch from the
original. I think that if you were wanting to maintain maximum resale, keep it original. If you are willing to drop the price ~$1000 from maximum value for a semi-restoration, the blue and green are highly appreciated colors.

Just my 2-cents, and of course I could be wrong.

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You are not old until you have more regrets than dreams! - John Barrymore (rephrased)

75 H1
78 CB400II Hawk
78 KE175

You could always buy a second set of tins and do one original and one the color you like. When it comes time
to sell it would add value when you have a perfect set that is stock and has not been mounted.

KH's aren't worth Jack anyway... Paint it the colour you like John!
Consider the source on this comment...

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http://kawatriple.com/wtf/

Even a good paint job, will devalue a bike for resale, if it is a original condition/lightly restored bike.

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

I painted my H2 a darker blue and never looked back.

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Iron On The Bayou.

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Bad decisions make the best stories.

The brown and yellow side stripe looks good.

I am debating repainting my KH400 with a bit more red or going with the green paint scheme used that year. The bodywork on this bike is dinged and scratched anyways.

Paint it the color & decal scheme YOU think you would love to be riding with, have fun, enjoy the heck out of this KH, and when the time comes to start thinking of selling it, sell it as is and move on to the next resto-mod!

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