Tracy Body...Opinions

baconpocket

baconpocket

eating bacon
so i came across this ad http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/1456560192.html
in case it gets removed i'll add the pictures

anyways i've seen a few iterations of this style used on other bikes around the innernettes and i'm not sure if i think its cool or not.

im tempted to ride up to indy and take of my tank and seat to see if this fits. but even if it does im still not sure i like it.

what do you fellas think?
 
Like anything from the 70s, you either get it or you don't. I really like the Tracy stuff, it's got that 70s panache I associate with wide ties, bellbottoms and massive sideburns. But I feel the seller is asking too much. There's only so many Tracy fans out there.
 
Yep, I'm not a tracy fan, although I have seen a few that looked right. I saw one in black with a red seat that looked especially good.
What I'm wondering is why no one has made a tank/seat/sidecovers thingamajig that differs substantially from the tracy body...
 
That would be a good price if the seat was included with it. :)

I like Tracy's for many of the same reasons that DrJ mentioned! I have one for a '74 Kawi H2b 750.

This is what it looks like just plonked on the bike!


H2Tracy002.jpg



Three issues you need to be aware of:

1. you need to line the tank to protect it from the chemicals found in modern gas

2. the fuel capacity is small so your range between fill ups will suffer

3. they are made for specific models. I wouldn't recommend trying to modify one

Other than that, it's all about the style! 8)

Good luck! ;D
 
i like how it looks on your H2b. probably my favorite usage of it that i've seen. clubmans look great with the swoopy flashiness.
on the model specificity front, you are right, i forgot to mention that i haven't seen one on a cm400 frame.

and i agree, that price would be tempting if it included the seat.

i also didn't mention that i only paid 800 for my bike!
 
I'm one who thought those were kinda goofy, back in the day. Now, like with so many things coming full circle, to me they represent period moto art. I've got 2 of them but can't decide how to use them. I like my KZ1000 in stock trim, but have a correct Tracy for it. I have a KZ650 Tracy, and no 650. I have stuck it on an XS650 and a BMW R100/7 just to see what they look like. It would be a shame to modify one for a different bike but that wouldn't stop me. Better used than goin to waste. Every bike I've seen completed with one, I like. If you didn't have to modify/repair/line/paint it, then $400. is a good price. Otherwise it's a bit high. I paid $140. and 225. in the past year and have seen them go on ebay for 150 to 500.
The seats are almost always missing or ravaged by time. They would be easy to make tho and I wouldn't pass up the right deal for that reason.
Seeing this bike come up on ebay last year is what turned me around and made me a believer. No way a cafe' in the traditional sense, but southern California style in 1975? completely.
 

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i got a buddy thats step dad has a fully cafed out CB750 bored over to a 883 in his garage, guess what is sitting on top of that sucker! MINT Tracy body... i have been workign on him for YEARS! he will break one day! and i will be there with a trailer!
 
Good luck JRK5892! I have a friend up here whose Dad has a CB750 with a Tracy that he bought "back in the day"! It's not on the bike right now, but he won't part with it either! :p :D

I'm not as crazy about the tail design on mine. I really prefer the other style of tail section!! Unfortunately, i don't have a choice! :D

My paint is damaged (not visible in the pic) so I might be re-painting. If I do that, I'll probably trim and modify the lines of it a little around the "side cover" area. :)
 
isolato said:
I'm one who thought those were kinda goofy, back in the day. Now, like with so many things coming full circle, to me they represent period moto art. I've got 2 of them but can't decide how to use them. I like my KZ1000 in stock trim, but have a correct Tracy for it. I have a KZ650 Tracy, and no 650. I have stuck it on an XS650 and a BMW R100/7 just to see what they look like. It would be a shame to modify one for a different bike but that wouldn't stop me. Better used than goin to waste. Every bike I've seen completed with one, I like. If you didn't have to modify/repair/line/paint it, then $400. is a good price. Otherwise it's a bit high. I paid $140. and 225. in the past year and have seen them go on ebay for 150 to 500.
The seats are almost always missing or ravaged by time. They would be easy to make tho and I wouldn't pass up the right deal for that reason.
Seeing this bike come up on ebay last year is what turned me around and made me a believer. No way a cafe' in the traditional sense, but southern California style in 1975? completely.
Click to expand...

Either body for sale?
Got any pictures of the kz650 body.
I just started another 650 project.
Too bad your so far away.
 
78kz said:
Either body for sale?
Got any pictures of the kz650 body.
I just started another 650 project.
Too bad your so far away.
Click to expand...

I would sell the kz650 (since I don't have a 650) for what I paid. 225. +whatever ship cost. send an address if interested, and I'll check.
 
Hey, I like that KZ650 model!! 8) 8)

Go for it Rob!! We need another Tracy Kawi here!! ;D ;D If you don't, maybe I will!! :eek: :eek:
 
Drewski said:
Hey, I like that KZ650 model!! 8) 8)

Go for it Rob!! We need another Tracy Kawi here!! ;D ;D If you don't, maybe I will!! :eek: :eek:
Click to expand...
Drewski, the bodies are the same on the 1000 and the 650 but for 2 places. the tank tunnel is wider on the 1000, and they lowered the spot where the 2 rear frame mount bolts go on the 650. the rest is identical. Also, I'm ready to start resto on the 1000 body, so could you tell me what you used for clean and seal of the tank? And would you re-gelcoat the outside or just prep and paint? any info helpful
the magazine is nov 78. decent article on a kz1000 build. They built 2. 1 white and one dark grey. I was told by an ex-tracy employee that he thinks the girl was Tracy's wife.
I found a Tracy fairing recently but not sure I'll use it yet. It's a later injection molded plastic one from the Florida years. Same style as the early ones tho.
 
here's a Tracy seat on epay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB750-Tracy-Body-Seat-2PC_W0QQitemZ250523144458QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a5457d10a

says cb750 but I'd verify. for that price and the simplicity tho, I'd just make one
 
isolato said:
Drewski, the bodies are the same on the 1000 and the 650 but for 2 places. the tank tunnel is wider on the 1000, and they lowered the spot where the 2 rear frame mount bolts go on the 650. the rest is identical. Also, I'm ready to start resto on the 1000 body, so could you tell me what you used for clean and seal of the tank? And would you re-gelcoat the outside or just prep and paint? any info helpful
the magazine is nov 78. decent article on a kz1000 build. They built 2. 1 white and one dark grey. I was told by an ex-tracy employee that he thinks the girl was Tracy's wife.
I found a Tracy fairing recently but not sure I'll use it yet. It's a later injection molded plastic one from the Florida years. Same style as the early ones tho.
Click to expand...




Isolato, that's a really cool build you've got goin' there!! ;D

I didn't know that about the 650/1000 Tracy! Good to know! 8)

As far as a tank liner goes, I used Caswell's 2 component epoxy product. It ain't cheap, but I didn't want to screw up my Tracy by using something that might not work. I haven't actually tried the Tracy with gas in it yet, but I used Caswell's stuff on my KZ1000 tank and it continues to work very well.

I haven't started into painting my Tracy, but I have talked to a painter. He said there are a couple of ways to proceed, but he didn't want to get into a gel-coat job. I think I'd just get a funky metal-flake job sprayed on it! We might try to preserve the current paint and just cover the damaged areas somehow. Compatibility with what's there is always a concern. We'll see! ;D

Good luck with yours! Keep us posted! I'm very interested in how it goes!! 8) 8)
 
I have found out through experience on boats, that the "gel coat" repair stuff does not work well. I put that in quotations to emphasize that if you are using a product labeled "Gel Coat Paint", "Gel Coat Repair Paint" or any similar term, that is not Gel Coat. It is a product make to emulate the look of finished Gel Coat and I have found all of them do a poor job of it. If you decide to try one of these products, I recommend sanding the entire body and coating the whole thing at once. I am sure you still will not be pleased with the outcome. The best way to create that 70's fiberglass gel coat look is as follows:

Fill any damage with resin
Sand the existing gel coat with 400grit until an even roughness is achieved
Paint base color (preferably heavy flake)
Paint accents (preferably two or three colors in flake, that contrast the body color)
Pinstripe those accents with a primary color heavy enamel
Options at this point: Choose to coat some candy, or go straight to clear
In the end, many many many layers of heavy clear, make it look like a poly top table its so thick!

Can you dig it....jive turkey?
 
tWistedWheelz said:
I have found out through experience on boats, that the "gel coat" repair stuff does not work well. I put that in quotations to emphasize that if you are using a product labeled "Gel Coat Paint", "Gel Coat Repair Paint" or any similar term, that is not Gel Coat. It is a product make to emulate the look of finished Gel Coat and I have found all of them do a poor job of it. If you decide to try one of these products, I recommend sanding the entire body and coating the whole thing at once. I am sure you still will not be pleased with the outcome. The best way to create that 70's fiberglass gel coat look is as follows:

Fill any damage with resin
Sand the existing gel coat with 400grit until an even roughness is achieved
Paint base color (preferably heavy flake)
Paint accents (preferably two or three colors in flake, that contrast the body color)
Pinstripe those accents with a primary color heavy enamel
Options at this point: Choose to coat some candy, or go straight to clear
In the end, many many many layers of heavy clear, make it look like a poly top table its so thick!

Can you dig it....jive turkey?
Click to expand...


'Wheelz... I am SO diggin' it!! 8) 8) I'm lookin' at 'flakes the size of nickels!! :eek: :eek: :D

In your opinion, what would a paint job like you describe cost?? I really have no toolz or skillz so I'd be looking for someone to paint it for me. :)

Ballpark?? ???
 
Drewski, to be honest I have no clue ???, I am not a pro painter, I am a do it yourselfer with no experience on the professional painting end! I have never found a flake in a rattle can that can give you the 70's style flake paint job! Check out user " forcefanXXX". He seems to be very knowledgeable on professional painting, I am sure he would be more help than me!
 
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