82' KZ440 Build: Progress!!! Battery Box, Electronics tray started, paint Pg.9

[M.B Co]

Been lurking here for awhile. Now that I am getting some progress done I'll throw up some specs and pictures.

Started with:

1982' KZ440 LTD, 3rd owner (free from father-in law)
15K miles, all stock

I rode it stock for awhile until I had an idea of what I wanted to do. Then winter hit and the tear down started

What I started with:



Some minor mods like signals, LED tail, bars, removal of junk, trimmed seat,






Then the tear down (no need to post every picture of me removing items)





Engine Tear down started, cleaned, re-sealed. Ready for paint. Going with Gloss Black, polished bolt heads, polished side covers




Pretty nasty


Some new parts later, cleaned up

[M.B Co]

Moved on to the frame, started some small mock ups






Dropped the forks in the tree, may switch bars or move to clip on's. Not sure yet



Uni's. Going to try the can inside. If that fails, I got some jets to throw in and start that fun process



As she sits now

De-tabbed the frame. About 1lb of useless metal. Still need to grind smooth, finish & paint

Modified my signal stalks so they attach to my headlight bucket and hold it to the ears.

Painted 1 rear shock to see how it would turn out, good imo

Painted my fork lowers. Thought they turned out pretty good. Not show quality, but should hold up to the elements well.

Random mock up, still got some work ahead of me.















shiiiiny



Needs some touch up

[CafeRacer650]

From one fellow KZ lover to another... great work! Keep it up!!

[M.B Co]

From one fellow KZ lover to another... great work! Keep it up!!

Thanks. My first motorcycle build, first Kawasaki, first KZ. Had a 04' GSXR 750 5 years ago and this little thing is a blast to ride.

[Shermanator86]

looking good man, think iv'e seen you on the twin owners forum as well

[M.B Co]

looking good man, think iv'e seen you on the twin owners forum as well

Thanks! Yeah, I go there every so often. Need to update my thread over there as well.

I get my battery tomorrow. Then I'll start the electronic pan underneath the seat, can't wait.

[valvesprung]

Diggin it! You'll definitely want different bars though. With stock foot controls super bike bars are a perfect fit on the KZ frames.

[M.B Co]

Diggin it! You'll definitely want different bars though. With stock foot controls super bike bars are a perfect fit on the KZ frames.

Thanks for the tip, I may change them out once I get it all back together.

[Big-D]

Coming along well, keep up the work

[M.B Co]

Thanks.

Going to get some work done tonight.

-Grind smooth the tabs I cut off
-Make my electrical pan
-Make the battery mount underneath the pan (battery will be mounted on it's side, terminals towards the front of the bike)

[M.B Co]

Trying to decide on tires

Should I change the rear to a 130/80-16 instead of a 90 aspect/sidewall?

[M.B Co]

Engine painted, minor things threw on to see what the look will be.

Pipes will be kept the way they are. I will just cut the very ends off and have some new tips put on, swelled at one end and I will make my own angled slash cut.

Few bolt heads will be polished also

Fins on the head and jug will be exposed alum.

[Big-D]

Looks good. This is just my 2 cents, but I would polish the fins, and the top end bolts.

[M.B Co]

Looks good. This is just my 2 cents, but I would polish the fins, and the top end bolts.

Noted that in my post. Fins will be exposed/polished, I didn't have all the bolts up top in, just had a few to hold it down. I have yet to seal it to the head. Any bolt head will be wire wheeled, cleaned, polished etc.

Thanks for the tips though. Any insight, help or opinions feel free to shoot my way.

[Big-D]

Awesome, should look good. Sorry, didnt read the last line