Painting a CL72

Johns1965CL72 · Post by **Johns1965CL72** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:30 am

Hello all,
I am new to this forum but not new to bikes. I am a big vintage kawasaki fan, but recently my dad asked me to restore his 1965 250 scrambler. I am getting ready to paint it, and I would like to know exactly what paint to use for the stock silver appearance. Currently the panels are all painted red, and the frame is black. He told me the fenders should be polished aluminum, and the panels should be silver. The engine number on this bike is CL72E-1005085 and it is the original.
Can you guys please verify the color for me and tell me EXACTLY which paint to use to get the color correct? I would really appreciate it.
Also, I am getting ready to tear down the motor to fix the transmission; anything I should look out for? I have the honda service manual and parts manual, and I am a pretty good mechanic. You honda guys are experts in your own rite, and I respect all your input. THANKS!!!

John

piecutter · Post by **piecutter** » Wed May 24, 2006 12:54 pm

Krylon dull aluminum with a clear coat to top it off seems to replicate the silver closely enough. It's what I used, and it looks good. Near as I can tell nobody else here has ever come up with anything better. One of my customers used a Honda silver from a later bike, but it looks way too metallicky.

Johns1965CL72 · Post by **Johns1965CL72** » Wed May 24, 2006 2:39 pm

What about the fenders? I have seen several painted silver, but only a few I've seen polished. What's the scoop there?

rbaselt · Post by **rbaselt** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:48 pm

You might want to obtain copies of Bill Silver's manuals on restoration & repair, either on CD or the original print version. He has some good info on paint colors and excellent advice on rebuilding. Click on Marketplace in the lefthand column, then either Bill Silver or the red manual. The choice of colors is somewhat of a personal decision, and it's also based on what you can obtain. I experimented with about 5 differerent shades of silver before deciding on one. Your engine cylinder, head, sidecovers and crankcases also were painted a dull silver by the factory, so you'll need a high-heat version for that. I prefer powdercoating for the black frame parts. You could also ask these questions on the Yahoo honda305 group, since there are some CL72 owners who post there. --Randall

piecutter · Post by **piecutter** » Thu May 25, 2006 12:10 pm

American Honda lists several part numbers for the front and rear fenders, early ones were NH10(Dark Silver) and after serial number 1056274 they list them as chrome plate. Side covers were listed NH10(Dark Silver) for all years.

Johns1965CL72 · Post by **Johns1965CL72** » Thu May 25, 2006 4:30 pm

OK thanks for the tips guys. I am going to paint the fenders to match the tank and side covers. I have restored a lot of bikes, but they have all been Kawasakis; Mostly the beloved triples. :twisted:

PS: this site is great and I plan on posting more questions, as well as some pics once I make more progress on the bike.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Sat May 27, 2006 4:52 pm

The silver paint I use is Dupont EMRON 45040U and any auto paint store can cross the numbers to their brand.
I've used this color since 1985 and I like it and the fellers I do restorations for do also. As your bike is a 1965 it never had polished aluminum fenders. The 1962 and early 1963 bikes did. ...........lm

Johns1965CL72 wrote:OK thanks for the tips guys. I am going to paint the fenders to match the tank and side covers. I have restored a lot of bikes, but they have all been Kawasakis; Mostly the beloved triples. :twisted:

PS: this site is great and I plan on posting more questions, as well as some pics once I make more progress on the bike.