New Guy from the Far East (of North America that is)

[HerrDeacon]

Hey guys and gals, new guy here from the east coast, Newfoundland to be specific. Name is Perry and I'm 39 years old. I just picked up a 1978 Kawasaki KZ650 three weeks ago with plans on making it into a cafe. Always loved the old Japanese bikes and the cafe style. The bike is in decent condition for its age. It has some missing parts (mirrors, air filter) and some that are less than desirable (seat, exhaust, paint) but these are all things that I am going to change anyway so it was no big deal. The rest of the bike is in good condition and it runs fine. I've already have it stripped down and I'm in the process of cleaning the engine. I'll then move on to painting the frame and making a seat. Should be fun.

This is only my second bike, my first being a Honda CT70 that I had as a kid. I've always loved the KZ's (my brother had a 1979 KZ1000 MKII) and have always dreamed of owning one. I waited this long before getting one because I was working on getting my car (1993 Nissan 240sx) to the state I wanted it. I finally completed the car after turbocharging and painting it over last winter. So this past summer I was on the lookout for a KZ. One finally became available in my area so I jumped at the chance. It is a little rough around the edges and needs a bit of work, but that is something I was also looking for. After finishing my car I need another project to keep me busy this winter. This will also be my first real foray into the world of carbs. Besides the lawn mower I haven't had any real experience with them, should be fun learning though.

I've been lurking around the site over the past couple of weeks and have gotten a lot of good ideas and inspiration. It also seems that everyone here is very friendly and willing to help but, most importantly, you all have a good sense of humour. Nice to have a place like this to bounce ideas and questions off. I know while working on the 240sx it was always reassuring knowing that there is help online. I hope I don't bug anyone with all my questions.

I've included a couple of pics of my car and "new" bike in its various stages since I bought it, and I'll be sure to post my progress over the winter.

Later,
Perry

[Ease]

Another Newfie, I see.

(I'm from Mt. Pearl - Living in Kilbride at the moment).

Where are you located?

Love the 240sx - great car - haven't seen that one around town. Reading through the post I figured you were driving the 240 in mt pearl with the carbon hood and black trunk lid.

If you're in town you might have seen my bike around:
Or maybe at the euro show at the toybox?



Anyway, keep the progress pics commin and we'll go for a ride when she's on the road!

[HerrDeacon]

Hey Ease, yup another Newfie. Is it only us two so far? I live in St. John's. I haven't seen your bike around at all, which is strange since I live on a very busy road and all I hear and see everyday are bikes going by, the majority being sport bikes and V-twins. Not much custom bikes around town. I guess we'll have to change that  I haven't seen any cafe's around either, do you know of any others?

I saw your bike in a few posts as I was reading through the forum, really nice!!! Great job, looks like you put a lot of time and effort into it. When I saw it I figured you lived out of town somewhere since I never saw it around.

Yeah, I love the 240, really fun car to drive, especially since it now has a bit more power.

Later,
Perry

[locO leoN]

Hey Perry..

Welcome to the forum!!...I cant wait to see how the bike turns out!!..
Looks like there might be a DoTheTon East Coast Chapter happening!!.. LOL!!

What are your plans for the bike?

Cheers!!

[HerrDeacon]

Thanks for the welcome Loco. Yeah, Ease and I are going to have start a revolution of cafe's here in NL. Would be nice, since all you see here are cookie cutter plastic bikes and V-twin cruisers. Need some personality thrown into the mix 

As far as plans for the bike, the goal is the best cafe I can build with my limited skills and very limited cash  . I won't be able to do everything I want over the winter due to lack of money but over time I hope to have a decent cafe style bike. For example the exhaust is pretty bad but I'll most likely end up using it for at least a year before I can get something better. I have the bike stripped down now and I'm in the process of cleaning the engine. I'll then get everything painted and work on glassing up a seat. Hopefully it will all come together.

On top of this I also need to get my license in the spring!!!

Perry

[locO leoN]

well, sounds like you are gonna have blast building your bike!!.
Cafe Racers are suppose to be made on a budget!!.. LOL!!...

Ease is the East coast Cafe Racer King, not to mention the all time Mac-Daddy with the chicks...
All you need now is some DoTheTon patches & a T-Shirt!!.. LOL!!!

[HerrDeacon]

LOL, yeah I saw in one of the posts how popular Ease is with the ladies. Maybe if I do like you said and get a shirt and patch I may be lucky enough to get any left overs 

[Ease]

Haha, yeah we'll represent for sure.
I've "built" another bike aside for mine (the ratty old cb450 hawk you may have seen on here before) but other than that nothing at all... a couple of old honda 550s with clubmans though.

I'm more than willing to lend a hand with anything - I'm not a pro, but I can def help you make it look the part.

Here is the other bike:


Belongs to my buddy Adam Fitz.

[HerrDeacon]

Thanks Ease, I may take you up on that offer. I'll let you know if I get stuck on anything. Thanks.

Also, that other bike is sweet too, really like the military theme.

[78kz]

Welcome Perry. Good to see another KZ on board, and a 650 to boot. 
kzromey also has a kz650 that's a spitting image of yours. A red D model, '78 as well I believe.
Tried to get Jerome out this past weekend for a KZ650 ride, but his bike is down at the moment.
Here are a couple other members KZs, intudin69's  78 D model, my '78 C and zixxerboy's '79 C:
 

[HerrDeacon]

Thanks 78kz, nice bikes in that pic. Any of you have plans on cafe'ing them?

[78kz]

I've got Clubman bars on, and the Rickman fairing (if a Cafe can have one of those). I'm toying with a single seat project for the Winter.
Jim's D (SR) has Clubman bars as well.
And I think Ron is contemplating some changes too.