First Cafe Build - 1980 KZ440

[AdrockMK2]

Looks awesome, any updates for 2012?

 

[Big-D]

Thanks everyone. I have a lot of updates, just havent logged on due to being busy with other projects. Will get some pics taken and updated tomorrow

 

[hmenzies]

Love those wheels you got man. Watching!

 

[Big-D]

WOW, It has been a while since I updated this.

I ended up determining that the rear shock was shot, so I upgraded to an 08 Hayabusa rear shock. Made the rear caliper bracket, headlight brackets, seat pan, and working on getting the tail section mounted. I just got the tail section in the mail yesterday, so I set it up there to see what it would look like

 

[cyclhed]

This bike is going to be wild man. Lots of great work you've done there.

 

[honda53rider]

Sick build!! My dads first bike was a KZ440. Love the work you did to the tank, I know that must have taken alot of work to get right!

Oh and another thing I don't know if you watch UK Top Gear but you need to! Here is Richard Hammond's car he called Oliver

 

[JRK5892]

hey bud not sure if this has been covered bnut i have never seen a rear shock mounted so vertical, i have no idea how opposing forces will act on it but i do not think it will be very good... have you done any research into converting to a mono shock? i know when my buddy did his it took a TON of math and angles to figure out how to mount that shock and his was NO WHERE near strait up and down... any of the sport bikes you look at as well are on a much much steeper angle... just my 2c, i love the bars by the way

 

[valvesprung]

For what it's worth, you may be totally right in this case, but the shock setup going on my KZ650 that Swagger is fabbing is vertical, and quite a few other bikes are set up that way. The CBR I was going to use, had a totally horizontal shock...it really depends where it comes from

 

[Big-D]

Worse thing that happens is we have to re-weld it. Im no physics major, just a guy with a welder in a garage, so guess and check is the best method that I have. Most sports bikes that I have owned and ridden were for the most part up and down. Everything seems fine while sitting and bouncing out it, so we will see. Thanks for the advice though

Here are a few pics of the ones I have referenced:
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/1/2251/3521/5626760081_large.jpg
http://www.600rr.net/gallery/files/2/7/1/0/1/figure_3_1_600rr_on_jack_stand.jpg
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9149/dsc05520.jpg
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/6323/swingarm.jpg

 

[Big-D]

For what it's worth, you may be totally right in this case, but the shock setup going on my KZ650 that Swagger is fabbing is vertical, and quite a few other bikes are set up that way. The CBR I was going to use, had a totally horizontal shock...it really depends where it comes from

Yep, that is why I am using the stock triangular link.

 

[JRK5892]

solid just wanted to make sure

 

[Big-D]

Yep, I would agree. I appreciate the advice too. I know that initially when I was looking at it, I check into see if that would be the case. Initially when we mounted it without the link, it was horribly soft. So thats why I decided to go as close to the stock setup as possible.

 

[Shermanator86]

looks like a sweet build man, love the oliver grill. Good to see more kz's on here

 

[deepwaterimports]

following this one

 

[Big-D]

Dang, I need to get some updates on here

 

[veaone]

Build is locking great. How hard was it to do all the front and rear conversion?

 

[doc_rot]

wow great build. I have been contemplating a fork swap on my 78KZ1000 but want to retain my original wheels, im gonna have to make an axle pretty much just like yours. There has been some discussion over at KZRider.com about using a stock swing arm for a mono-shock conversion. I see that you swapped for a 1000 police arm. smart choice. however the main concern is that a swing arm that was originally designed for twin shocks was not designed for the torsional stress that a mono shock will put on it, even if it is the beefier police arm. Have you considered adding an under brace to your arm? they look bad ass! and they add quite a bit of rigidity. here is a pic of the brace i added to my arm, probably overkill but damn it looks the part.

you clearly have the fabrication skills so why not go there? just figured id toss that out there, because im betting someone who is used to riding freestyle not gonna ride some 400 like its a rocking horse. Keep up the good work 8)

 

[Big-D]

Thanks Doc,
I had thought about a brace but just havent gotten around to it yet. I figured I would take it out, ride some and if I need it throw it on. Your does look damn nice though.

 

[gearhead231]

Big D, any news from the shop?

 

[ffjmoore]

Ill follow this one.