1979 KZ400 LTD: finally done!
- Thread starter AdrockMK2
- Start date
AdrockMK2
New Member
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
Still going! A few updates over the past few weeks...
Upholsterer finished with my seat....I'm so anxious to get it back, hopefully by Wednesday.
Cut some steel for clipon handlebars to replace the aluminum that came with the set. Brushed it, and drilled for internal wiring.
Quickly fabricated a small aluminum mount for the headlight, to figure out mounting height and angle. I'll probably redo it a bit better later or have one welded with a little stem off the lower triple and skip that big mounting block that comes with it for Harleys.
Still going! A few updates over the past few weeks...
Upholsterer finished with my seat....I'm so anxious to get it back, hopefully by Wednesday.
Cut some steel for clipon handlebars to replace the aluminum that came with the set. Brushed it, and drilled for internal wiring.
Quickly fabricated a small aluminum mount for the headlight, to figure out mounting height and angle. I'll probably redo it a bit better later or have one welded with a little stem off the lower triple and skip that big mounting block that comes with it for Harleys.
sinbad85
Been Around the Block
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
killer build mate....
i love what youve done with the wiring in the clipons.... may have to copy that one!
im doing a kz750 which has a similar shaped frame....i chose not to cafe due too the shape of the frame,
but you sir have done a great job on the rear!
looks like a cafe for sure
killer build mate....
i love what youve done with the wiring in the clipons.... may have to copy that one!
im doing a kz750 which has a similar shaped frame....i chose not to cafe due too the shape of the frame,
but you sir have done a great job on the rear!
looks like a cafe for sure
cafecustom720
Been Around the Block
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
This bike is looking really cool
This bike is looking really cool
AdrockMK2
New Member
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
Thanks! Yours looks awesome, great work! That LTD frame is so hard to figure out a custom seat, but if you can do a pan that keeps the seat height flat and only the upholstery looks like it's dropping to match the frame it could look pretty cool without welding a whole new rear end. Like this: http://www.motomucci.com/2011/10/project-cx-full-shoot.html
If I didn't have a friend that had the skills, equipment and time I would have gone that route.
How loud is your twin with no mufflers? Like crazy make-all-the-neighbors-hate-you kind of loud?
M.B Co said:
Thanks! Yours looks awesome, great work! That LTD frame is so hard to figure out a custom seat, but if you can do a pan that keeps the seat height flat and only the upholstery looks like it's dropping to match the frame it could look pretty cool without welding a whole new rear end. Like this: http://www.motomucci.com/2011/10/project-cx-full-shoot.html
If I didn't have a friend that had the skills, equipment and time I would have gone that route.
How loud is your twin with no mufflers? Like crazy make-all-the-neighbors-hate-you kind of loud?
AdrockMK2
New Member
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
I finally got my seat back from the upholsterer, and painted the seat shell. It's cleared with Eastwood satin, not sure I love it but I'll go with it for now...the bare metal looks better in matte than the painted areas.
The brown leather ended up the perfect color, and it's super soft and comfortable (considering it's only 1" thick"). The leather is actually from a Fisker Karma, leftovers from a prototype interior....super high quality, very blessed with that hookup.
I finally got my seat back from the upholsterer, and painted the seat shell. It's cleared with Eastwood satin, not sure I love it but I'll go with it for now...the bare metal looks better in matte than the painted areas.
The brown leather ended up the perfect color, and it's super soft and comfortable (considering it's only 1" thick"). The leather is actually from a Fisker Karma, leftovers from a prototype interior....super high quality, very blessed with that hookup.
AdrockMK2
New Member
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
I'm going to work on it a bit more tonight and get it out of the garage for some shots with a real camera.
The tank uses the original mounting point, and the trailing edge of the tank sits a few mm above the fiberglass shell, the foam/leather pad is flush right up to the tank.
I'm going to work on it a bit more tonight and get it out of the garage for some shots with a real camera.
The tank uses the original mounting point, and the trailing edge of the tank sits a few mm above the fiberglass shell, the foam/leather pad is flush right up to the tank.
dmrhoades
Active Member
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
thanks, i would love to see a better shot. I have a kz650, and you might be able to see in my avatar what im talking about. the lower part of the seat pan on mine has a weird edge where they meet and I have been racking my brain to see what angles I need to make to make it look better. Yours seems made similar, but doesnt have that issue.
thanks, i would love to see a better shot. I have a kz650, and you might be able to see in my avatar what im talking about. the lower part of the seat pan on mine has a weird edge where they meet and I have been racking my brain to see what angles I need to make to make it look better. Yours seems made similar, but doesnt have that issue.
Shermanator86
Big guy on a little bike
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
Awesome job so far man, I'll be watching this one.
Awesome job so far man, I'll be watching this one.
M.B Co
Coast to Coast
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
Thanks man, it's a chore for sure to make these look clean and nice. I don't mind the step up. I may try to use it to my advantage to make a very slim brat style seat that goes up with the frame. But who knows, once started I may change my mind and re-hoop the rear to be flat.
It's loud, but not obnoxious IMO. It's going to get a tad louder but cleaner sound with the exhaust. Stock pipes to a 2-1 Collector and the stock muffler sectioned to be a megaphone style tip.
I live out in the country, so the open pipes are normal around here. Makes bombing country twistys much more fun 8)
Mock up of how it's going to be. During the mock up I ran it with both sides and tips tacked on and it sounded amazing IMO
Here is what it sounds like. This was it's early stage in life when I first got the bike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaMA8wbNuuc
AdrockMK2 said:
Thanks man, it's a chore for sure to make these look clean and nice. I don't mind the step up. I may try to use it to my advantage to make a very slim brat style seat that goes up with the frame. But who knows, once started I may change my mind and re-hoop the rear to be flat.
It's loud, but not obnoxious IMO. It's going to get a tad louder but cleaner sound with the exhaust. Stock pipes to a 2-1 Collector and the stock muffler sectioned to be a megaphone style tip.
I live out in the country, so the open pipes are normal around here. Makes bombing country twistys much more fun 8)
Mock up of how it's going to be. During the mock up I ran it with both sides and tips tacked on and it sounded amazing IMO
Here is what it sounds like. This was it's early stage in life when I first got the bike
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaMA8wbNuuc
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: 1979 KZ400 LTD
Your Kwaka is looking pretty damn good, sir.
Your Kwaka is looking pretty damn good, sir.
