pidjones' bicentenial build - a '76 RD400

UPDATE:
They contacted me today and took full responsibility. They are sending new decals to replace the ones on the tank. Wish me luck removing them with heat gun and plastic razor blades.
 
Yes, good luck for sure. Hopefully you'll get the old off w/ no damage.
 
Thanks, guys. Came off a lot easier than I expected. I guess because they are new. Got them started with the plastic razor blade and gently pull in the exact opposite direction so it put the least stress on the paint. Came right off (well, in four or five piece) and didn't bother the paint or leave anything that I can see behind. They are actually sending me an entire set to replace these.
 
Finally an update! Replacement decals came today. Correct color, now. They are on and clear coated, but the clear coat fish eyed on one side of the tank so it will have to be sanded flat on that side. They showed up on the first pass, so I gave them a dust coat for future paint to stick to and then built up well so they should sand out Ok. I don't think I'll need to sand the side covers at all.
 
Started wet sanding the fish eyes and it became apparent that I would have to remove a LOT of clear to get them leveled out, so tried a trick from a Youtube video. Sprayed the clear (still <24 hours on the Spraymax can) into the lid and used a touch-up dauber to fill each fish eye crater. Will let that cure and it should all level out much easier.
 
Good thing you still had some clear left. I hate wasting it so I will use it all up usually on anything I can after the bike parts are coated. Garden tools, lawnmower parts whatever LOL.
 
Maritime said:
Good thing you still had some clear left. I hate wasting it so I will use it all up usually on anything I can after the bike parts are coated. Garden tools, lawnmower parts whatever LOL.
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I was going to clear coat a necklace the daughter complined of odor from, but she never got it to me. For the cost of it I agree, don't waste! Was thinking about clearing the JD345 hood, but glad I didn't.
 
pidjones said:
I was going to clear coat a necklace the daughter complined of odor from, but she never got it to me. For the cost of it I agree, don't waste! Was thinking about clearing the JD345 hood, but glad I didn't.
Click to expand...
Yep, I've got to drop $35 Plus HST of 15% = $40.25 for a can for the CB125 and that hurts. Last time I bought it, it was $27 all in. Fucking Covid.
 
Maritime said:
Yep, I've got to drop $35 Plus HST of 15% = $40.25 for a can for the CB125 and that hurts. Last time I bought it, it was $27 all in. Fucking Covid.
Click to expand...
I bought a two-can pack on Amazon back in October for $45.82 US tax and all. Knew I'd be needing it. Used one can before the decals, one after.
 
First day of wet sanding went well. Good amount of time spent with 800 grit getting things level and the eyes closed. Then, less with 1200 and quickly through 2000, 3000, and 5000. 7000 finished it off to compounding. I'm out of my good 3M rubbing compound, so used Turtle Wax rubbing compound and it was just Ok. 3M Finesse-It finishing compound (left over from restoring a boat finish) still rocks, but I'll need to go over the tank one more time with it to get some mild haze out. My Harbor Freight variable speed buffer varies speed on its own and I don't trust it. Changed to an old Craftsman random orbit polisher that came in a 5 gallon bucket kit the wife bought for me years ago. Slow going, but at least it is pretty safe on the paint.
 
Getting there. This is just with the tank and side cover mounted, not plumbed in. Need to move some bikes around and get room around it to work.
Tank&side cover mounted.jpg
 
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