I haven't posted in a while, and I've been holding off to get more work done. But I decided to let y'all in any way. I started off with with a 79 KZ650C. My dad bought this bike new, and gave it to me in the shape pictured here. It had sat for 5 years with fuel in the carbs and tank but overall, mechanically sound with only 85,000 on the Odometer. I wanted to do a late entry into the buildoff, but I'm not totally sure if I could make the time cutoff as I'm in school and doing the job search thing.
Next, I got her home and started pulling stuff off and planning. The goal is to create a brat with the only frame modifications of de-tabbing and paint. I will not be hacking this frame up, not just because I want to keep a vintage look, but because this bike's been in the family for 36 years and I want to keep many of the original lines. I decided to bridge the gap between cafe and brat by using the original seat pan to create a "2-up cafe" seat while maintaining the original seat latch, hinges, and function. Next up for the seat will be laying fiberglass to create the shape I want, I've just been waiting for some steady weather patterns as all my work is done outside. I've regretted moving back to Indiana for 2 years because of this...
If you noticed in the picture, I've decided to go with rolled down drag bars, as opposed to clip ons, clubmans, or flipped stockers. I wanted a more upright position than those previously listed but not straight up like the stockers made it. Next was the carbs. I went through a bucket of Berryman's Chem-Dip 4 cans of B-12 Chemtool cleaning all the varnish out and rebuilding the carbs...but I love doing that crap. I'm holding off on cleaning the tank for no because I don't want it to flash rust right after and it needs to be dry for me to paint in the next month. But for now, I need to get some fuel line and vacuum hose as well as finish polishing my valve cover, and all the side covers.
The rest of the to-do list is more tedious little stuff as, my only major problems are the ages of some of the parts. I need to replace all the connectors on the wiring harness as they're mostly dry rotted and I want to use waterproof units. I need a new front brake master cylinder because one of the mounting tabs broke off. I need new lower profile front turn signals in a smaller size than the stock units. I have a set of RFY shocks that will be going to Chris Livengood for service as the oil and nitro is too low. I need to rebuild the forks. And once the seat is glassed, I need to french the turn signals in (as pictured on the harley fender below) and create a mountable pan for the cushion. Finally, I need to install the LTD750 cams and the Dyna electronic ignition. Then will be the paint. I'm not totally sold on doing the original color. Thought about doing a silver base with a candy blue and some reproduction gold decals...but still not quite sure.
This build brought to you by beer. If any of you have any kawasaki specific vintage resources let me know. I'm hoping Robbo will be a good source of info as well. more to come later, all.
Next, I got her home and started pulling stuff off and planning. The goal is to create a brat with the only frame modifications of de-tabbing and paint. I will not be hacking this frame up, not just because I want to keep a vintage look, but because this bike's been in the family for 36 years and I want to keep many of the original lines. I decided to bridge the gap between cafe and brat by using the original seat pan to create a "2-up cafe" seat while maintaining the original seat latch, hinges, and function. Next up for the seat will be laying fiberglass to create the shape I want, I've just been waiting for some steady weather patterns as all my work is done outside. I've regretted moving back to Indiana for 2 years because of this...
If you noticed in the picture, I've decided to go with rolled down drag bars, as opposed to clip ons, clubmans, or flipped stockers. I wanted a more upright position than those previously listed but not straight up like the stockers made it. Next was the carbs. I went through a bucket of Berryman's Chem-Dip 4 cans of B-12 Chemtool cleaning all the varnish out and rebuilding the carbs...but I love doing that crap. I'm holding off on cleaning the tank for no because I don't want it to flash rust right after and it needs to be dry for me to paint in the next month. But for now, I need to get some fuel line and vacuum hose as well as finish polishing my valve cover, and all the side covers.
The rest of the to-do list is more tedious little stuff as, my only major problems are the ages of some of the parts. I need to replace all the connectors on the wiring harness as they're mostly dry rotted and I want to use waterproof units. I need a new front brake master cylinder because one of the mounting tabs broke off. I need new lower profile front turn signals in a smaller size than the stock units. I have a set of RFY shocks that will be going to Chris Livengood for service as the oil and nitro is too low. I need to rebuild the forks. And once the seat is glassed, I need to french the turn signals in (as pictured on the harley fender below) and create a mountable pan for the cushion. Finally, I need to install the LTD750 cams and the Dyna electronic ignition. Then will be the paint. I'm not totally sold on doing the original color. Thought about doing a silver base with a candy blue and some reproduction gold decals...but still not quite sure.
This build brought to you by beer. If any of you have any kawasaki specific vintage resources let me know. I'm hoping Robbo will be a good source of info as well. more to come later, all.