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Good luck with the angle grinder.  I bought one about 3 years ago for $10 after the coupon.  The thing got so hot after running it a few minutes straight that you couldn't hold it, even with gloves.  The last time I used it, it started smoking.  I went out and bought a Mikita that was on sale for $50 and haven't looked back.

I started riding around 25.  First bike was a 2008 Ninja 250.

It was only produced as a race bike right?  I usually see them in white.

http://www.moto-works.jp/k2tec/rd400.html

Those are some gorgeous pipes!

A while back I removed the entire rear suspension and fuel tank.  The tank appears salvageable.  The gas inside is one of the most foul things I've ever smelled.  I know my way around old gas, but this was prehistoric.  When I dumped it out, it looked liked thin dirty engine oil it was so black.  Removed the tail lights, trim panels as well as the hatch.  Also pulled out the interior panels and vinyl.  All the vinyl will be replaced.  The spare tire well rust worked it's way through part of the bottom in the time since I bought it.  Drilled out the spot welds and removed it.  I'll try my hand at shaping some sheet metal to weld in and try to salvage it, but lacking an English wheel and pretty new to body work, it seems like a long shot.  My goal is to reuse anything I can within reason to reduce cost of the project.

nice! that right there is a labor of love. 

Oh, absolutely!  I think of it as a love letter to the Z.

 

Yeah, probably not.

I just realized I never updated this thread.  Since then I've moved and gotten a real shop space.  Once I get the body entirely stripped it'll make it's way out of the carport and into the shop.  The engine's #6 cylinder was fused to the block.  No amount of EvapoRust, Marvel Mystery Oil, heat, or deadblow hammering made any difference. I finally got it out using a regular hammer and pounding harder on it than I'd ever imagined doing to an engine.  It did come out, leaving a few mm cavity in the cylinder wall.  Luckily it's not deep enough to mess up my plans.  I'll be having it bored out to 2.8l and using flat top '81-'83 N/A 280zx pistons to raise the compression.  I'm aiming for 10:1 and a moderate street cam.  The plan is to stick with the Hitachi SU carbs and eventually move to a Weber style DCOE Triple setup, most likely the Japanese-made OER's. 

ive been to fla enough to not want to be there, and texas is just weird

I lived in Florida for 5-1/2 years.  It was about 5-1/2 years too long.

yup. typically at the pilot adjustment.

Ok awesome.  I'll start there.  It's the base setting of 2-1/4 (I think) turns out.

Ma, what a pain!  Glad you got it finished.  It looks super clean too.

Yeah, it's running pretty well.  The it hangs a bit when revved.  That'd indicate a lean condition, right?  Other than that, it rips!  I always forget how much that engine screams from 8-14,000 rpm.

Thanks y'all.  I was hoping to at least spray the clear with my HVLP setup.  I think with my current budget that will cost prohibitive.  I'm kinda of wary of the Paint Shop clear.  For this one I'll likely be doing it all rattle can and then the 2k clear in a can.  Duplicolor has a match for Honda red in a can, which is nice.

Anyone here have any experience with Duplicolor's Paint Shop line of paints?  I'm gearing up to paint the CBR400 and I have a HVLP setup I'd like to use.  Proper 2 stage automotive paint costs are pretty high.  I have yet to see anything I could afford at the moment, even for a set of fairings.  Paint Shop is premixed lacquer paint.  I read on some forum post that it isn't great when it comes to fuel resistance.  It's pretty cost effective though.  I'm thinking of using it for primer and base coat and getting some decent 2k clear. 

I'm new to spray painting like this and all the options can be overwhelming.  If anyone has any advice I'd love it.  Also if anyone knows of a decent 2 part line of paints that isn't crazy expensive.  I've been recommended Lesonal and Wanda Paints for that purpose, but they're both expensive enough that I can't justify the expense right now.