Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400...er now a KZ650 mono-shock superbike

valvesprung

Over 1,000 Posts
I snagged a 1975 KZ400 last weekend for $140 with no title, but a decent back story. Should be able to round up a title pretty easily...let's hope. My plan is to take a much more thorough and aggressive path than my last build. I hope to give this a tracker feel, with plenty of cafe kick.

Last build:
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http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=4430.msg35865#msg35865

Newest bike in all her crusty glory:
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Oh yeah... check that bitch bar...
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Like a before and after :)
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After a scrubbing:
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1.5 hours later:
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And nestled away for a bit of a long sleep until I pulls some funds together...may be a while.

The plans:
-flat tracker tail
-gold paint, black stripe
-glossy black powdercoat on damn near everything
-custom 2-1 exhaust
-35mm forks with cartridge emulators and Progressive springs (probably CB550 or XS650)
-likely a custom billet top triple
-clip ons
-alloy swinger, possibly XT350 with mounts added
-Black powdered alloy rims with fresh spokes
-rear disc (hopefully)
-dual front disks, probably an XS hub
-2-1 intake and a single Mikuni VM34
-etc, etc, etc...

Like I said, it'll be a long slow road getting there, but this should be one bad ass 400...
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

I don't feel like swearing tonight, so I'll say that this is the poop. Let me know if I can do anything to help, man.
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

sounds like a fun build. enjoy
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Love the first KZ and now looking forward to seeing what you do with this one. Looks like a sweet find.
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Why do I feel like I know you somehow??? This is gonna be am awesome build though :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Awesome Score! Looked pretty darn solid. This will be another cool scoot!
Kev
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

If only you had some rearsets for it :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

That upholstered seat is gorgeous. Did you make it?
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

i shaped the foam, picked the color, and drew the design on the foam, a local upholstery shop did the rest :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Just snagged a deal of a seat from Ebay :) only $138

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Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

New seat arrived and it's perfect!
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Also tried it on the white KZ for good measure :)
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I've also ordered an XT aluminum swing arm for it and after some serious discussion with my local brethren ...we're beginning to thing modern USD forks, mono-shock, and maybe even Supermoto wheels if I can swing the cash together....looking for the vintage look with modern handling and it looks like the price won't be that much more than upgrading to a good set of vintage forks with progressive springs, etc...we'll see...
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Oh, I know I need to raise the rear of the tank, but I have a new one coming that should fit the style of the seat better :) (black one)
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this style:
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Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

let me know if you need any stock body parts(or anything else I removed). The green bike in your picture is the same as my bike. Your build is looking good so far! I like your idea of modern suspension. USD forks rock. Are you planning any power mods? Did you do any engine mods to your other kz400s? what kind of performance are you getting out of these bikes?
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Much appreciated man. I've only done exhaust and pods on the white bike, nothing internal. In fact the pods are coming off this weekend as it's too lean and the CV carbs just don't like them. I really enjoy the bike and with me being ~160lbs it's a blast to ride.

On this bike I'll do a 2-1 manifold to run a VM34 Mikuni, a 2-1 exhaust, and MAYBE some mild head work, but the goal is to shave off 50-75 lbs and let that and the suspension/brakes be the majority of the performance gains.

I don't think you'll get bored, these bikes are a blast and with stock gearing they really rip around town...the white bike is way quicked than my buddies CL360 was, and I surprised a CB550 the other day (not to say he wasn't quicker). Kawi is know to have understated most of their performance numbers :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Well I've chnged gears a bit. As much as I wanted to keep the vintage look, it was going to cost too much especially when I can get better performance out of moder parts...

I've decided to go the sport bike route and knew that CBR 6-spokes were the only way to go. Plan to polish out the lips and run black spokes. So I went and picked up half of a CBR last night...and put it in the back of my Passat wagon :) It's mostly parts from a '95 CBR600 F3, has a 180 tire on it now, but I'll likely drop to a 160. Got the whole set up for $150 and have everything needed for the rear since it was all still on a frame. Als have a nice complete wiring harnes, regulator, and coolant bottle to sell on Ebay :)

Swagger will likely be helping me in a big way on the mono conversion since his shop is just down the street from my house.

Here's a quick shot of it sitting under the bike. It's at least 4-5" rearward of the actual mount, but the arm will need to be machined a bit before it'll fit. I also need to get the passenger peg mounts cut off already too...

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If my luck holds out and a couple things sell tomorrow, I'll be picking up a complete front end from a '94 CBR900RR on Sunday and then I can sell the F3 triple trees I got too.
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Made some major scores in the last week or so, including the one above. Today I snagged a '93 CBR600 F2 that is partially disassembled but mostly there. I only need the complete front end and controls, so I have a lot of parts to sell on Ebay. I know I'll make my money back, but looking through the boxes I should have a lot of parts to profit from as well.

If any one here needs any of it I have most of a bike here
-2 wiring harnesses, one totally in tact
-headlight
-some plastics
-most importantly, a complete second rear end if someone else want to do a swap as well.

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And the whole reason for the purchase right here...adjustable cartridge forks and dual discs...
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After spending some time in the shop with Swagger/Lee yesterday, we've decided that everything behind the back bone is coming completely off since it'll all be unnecessary and too heavy. With some welded tabs we're going to build and aluminum seat frame :) Just one step closer to being under 300 lbs :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Looks like this will be an awesome bike. I hope to be able to afford modern forks/brakes someday.
valvesprung said:
Made some major scores in the last week or so, including the one above. Today I snagged a '93 CBR600 F2 that is partially disassembled but mostly there. I only need the complete front end and controls, so I have a lot of parts to sell on Ebay. I know I'll make my money back, but looking through the boxes I should have a lot of parts to profit from as well.

If any one here needs any of it I have most of a bike here
-2 wiring harnesses, one totally in tact
-headlight
-some plastics
-most importantly, a complete second rear end if someone else want to do a swap as well.

227405_228993197114740_100000121854974_1172826_5437850_n.jpg

250146_228993190448074_100000121854974_1172825_5487706_n.jpg

249130_228993167114743_100000121854974_1172823_22772_n.jpg

249146_228993210448072_100000121854974_1172827_2303540_n.jpg



And the whole reason for the purchase right here...adjustable cartridge forks and dual discs...
229431_228993737114686_100000121854974_1172830_7081340_n.jpg


After spending some time in the shop with Swagger/Lee yesterday, we've decided that everything behind the back bone is coming completely off since it'll all be unnecessary and too heavy. With some welded tabs we're going to build and aluminum seat frame :) Just one step closer to being under 300 lbs :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Taking a few goodies over to Swagger/Lee this weekend to start fitting new parts on the old bike :)
 
Re: Street ripping, pavement shredding KZ400 street tracker/cafe...slow going

Progress!!!

Dropped off the triple trees, stem, and swinger with Swagger to begin machining the parts to fit. Looks like we'll swap the KZ stem onto the CBR triples for ease of install. We also need to narrow the swinger a bit more than I hoped, but he's got it covered.

I also got the other CBR parts on Ebay, but before I listed the engine I found a "Want to buy" on Craigslist for it, and will deliver it to a local buyer tomorrow...SCORE! So I got it pulled and boxed up the goodies that are going with it.

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I also pulled the engine from the KZ...
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...and started to break it down...
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BUM BUM BUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM...what can be done about this without replacing?
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Smile!
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Well that's it for now. Getting ready to pop the cylinders off, and then we'll get to the frame fab to make her a roller...really hoping this Ebay stuff goes quick so I can have my bloody garage space back... :)
 
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