ZX9-R Paint options and recommendations
Discussion
Morning all
I have been offered a ZX9-R for very little money by a friend after it's owner sadly died last October.
The bike was running last summer but has not moved or been started for over 12 months. I have seen it once, it looked tidy enough apart from the paintwork which can only be described as vile. (it's purple and pink!)
I won't find out more until next weekend when my friend is back but what can I expect to have to do to get it running?
It has a new battery that has never been fitted.
I am presuming a carb strip down and clean, fuel tank drain and clear out, new plugs, oil and filters. Anything else I should be thinking off? I know it will need tyres but they can wait until I get it going first.
Once I can get it going I intend to strip, tidy, paint and rebuild over this winter ready for me to hit the road (not literally) sometime next spring.
Can anyone give me an idea of the costs involved in a complete respray of ALL plastics. It would be a non standard paint job but I am just talking colours etc not murals/custom style.
Ideally I don't want decals over the paint would rather they where under the clear coat if possible. I realise this will mean they are painted on rather than stuck on.
Also, can anyone recommend a painter. I am based in Cheshire but I could parcel up the plastics and send anywhere if required.
It has also just dawned on my I could get it wrapped. Anyone any experience of this?
I am looking for a professional job not a "that'll do" type. Seeing as the bike is cheap I don't mind spending a bit on paint so it looks spot on.
Thanks for any help/recommendations
Cheers
Brian
I have been offered a ZX9-R for very little money by a friend after it's owner sadly died last October.
The bike was running last summer but has not moved or been started for over 12 months. I have seen it once, it looked tidy enough apart from the paintwork which can only be described as vile. (it's purple and pink!)
I won't find out more until next weekend when my friend is back but what can I expect to have to do to get it running?
It has a new battery that has never been fitted.
I am presuming a carb strip down and clean, fuel tank drain and clear out, new plugs, oil and filters. Anything else I should be thinking off? I know it will need tyres but they can wait until I get it going first.
Once I can get it going I intend to strip, tidy, paint and rebuild over this winter ready for me to hit the road (not literally) sometime next spring.
Can anyone give me an idea of the costs involved in a complete respray of ALL plastics. It would be a non standard paint job but I am just talking colours etc not murals/custom style.
Ideally I don't want decals over the paint would rather they where under the clear coat if possible. I realise this will mean they are painted on rather than stuck on.
Also, can anyone recommend a painter. I am based in Cheshire but I could parcel up the plastics and send anywhere if required.
It has also just dawned on my I could get it wrapped. Anyone any experience of this?
I am looking for a professional job not a "that'll do" type. Seeing as the bike is cheap I don't mind spending a bit on paint so it looks spot on.
Thanks for any help/recommendations
Cheers
Brian
A mate of mine is having an FZ750 painted by someone “up country” (we’re in Kent) and that’s costing him around £1500. Don’t know whether he’s having the decals applied or painted. Another mate, who is particular to the point of making aircraft maintenance and operation theatres look scruffy, had his RG500 painted by the same place, so I assume they’re good.
I can find out more if interested, I have a feeling it might be somewhere in Lincolnshire.
I can find out more if interested, I have a feeling it might be somewhere in Lincolnshire.
Just checked, it's Mark Cordwell in Derby (not Lincs!). I do have a contact number but not sure whether that's in the public domain, so I won't post here but drop me a message if you can't find him.
The FZ is being done with vinyl and lacquer, I noted you wanted the decals painted, so you'd need to ask if he can do that.
The FZ is being done with vinyl and lacquer, I noted you wanted the decals painted, so you'd need to ask if he can do that.
I don't even know what year it is yet, hoping it is as late as possible. Will find out on Friday afternoon when I get to crawl all over it.
I am just hoping it isn't too tired. If it needs new suspension, tyres, paint, carb work I will probably look else ware for something else. If however it doesn't need suspension and the bodywork is in good nick (apart from the vile colour scheme) I will snap it up. The colour scheme is weird and it did occur to me that maybe the last owner used it as a track bike....it could even be wrapped and green underneath!
Lots of questions for me to get answered on Friday.
I will be supergluing my hands behind my back and AWAY from my pockets until I have a proper look at it.
:-)
I am just hoping it isn't too tired. If it needs new suspension, tyres, paint, carb work I will probably look else ware for something else. If however it doesn't need suspension and the bodywork is in good nick (apart from the vile colour scheme) I will snap it up. The colour scheme is weird and it did occur to me that maybe the last owner used it as a track bike....it could even be wrapped and green underneath!
Lots of questions for me to get answered on Friday.
I will be supergluing my hands behind my back and AWAY from my pockets until I have a proper look at it.
:-)
The red ones are the fastest, obvs...

While you have the carbs off, remove the cam cover and check the valve clearances and the chain tensioner.
Depending on the age, service history and model, you may need to refurbish the brakes. Even the 6 pots on my E1 weren't difficult to do. I needed new seals and pistons and I replaced the caliper bolts. I did the rears as well. Give the system a really good flush with new fluid and for what it costs I'd rebuild the master cylinder. These braking systems have a bit of a reputation for being hard work but with refurbished master and calipers, fresh fluid and new pads they work extremely well.



If your plan is to sell it then you'll struggle to cover the cost of the paint job even if the bike is cheap. I'm selling this one as I can't ride it any more due to arthritis and there's not much interest.
While you have the carbs off, remove the cam cover and check the valve clearances and the chain tensioner.
Depending on the age, service history and model, you may need to refurbish the brakes. Even the 6 pots on my E1 weren't difficult to do. I needed new seals and pistons and I replaced the caliper bolts. I did the rears as well. Give the system a really good flush with new fluid and for what it costs I'd rebuild the master cylinder. These braking systems have a bit of a reputation for being hard work but with refurbished master and calipers, fresh fluid and new pads they work extremely well.
If your plan is to sell it then you'll struggle to cover the cost of the paint job even if the bike is cheap. I'm selling this one as I can't ride it any more due to arthritis and there's not much interest.
Edited by flushedmonkey on Monday 3rd August 14:06
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



