KZ750 Twin "Innamorata 750"

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Innamorata 750

Active Member
So last fall I drug this KZ750 Twin home. Not bad for a $300 heap!

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My plan was to build a Café Racer of sorts, though with a bit of Continental GT DNA mixed in. My wife, though very supportive of such projects, thought I was insane. Then again, she always thinks I'm insane....

I stripped it down and painted the frame with Eastwood's frame paint. Seems to be a very durable paint.

stripping-it.jpg


Frame.jpg
 
I cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned the engine before spraying it a metallic gray-charcoal color with high-temp paint made for restoring older aftermarket car wheels. I think it will go nicely with the polished side covers.

I carved a seat cowl from blue foam....

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New-Rear.jpg


I'll cover this in fiberglass (with epoxy resin) and then melt the foam with acetone. Once done, the cowl will have a small storage area in it, accessible by raising the seat.



I also shortened the seat base so I can use the stock hinges and lock with the cowling.
 
I love the look, not to mention the practicality, of a large tank. After trying a BMW R90S tank, I settled on a tank from a GPZ1100. I carefully cut the bottom out of the stock tank, and after a lot of measuring, I said a little prayer and did the same with the GPZ1100 tank. I haven't fired up the welder yet, but I think it's going to work perfectly!

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I wanted to replace the broom handles Kawasaki called "forks" with something a bit more substantial. After a bunch of research, I bought a front end for a Zephyr 750.

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I hacked the original instrument brackets from the original top triple clamp, turned them on my lathe to make them look nice, and bolted them to the Zephyr top triple clamp.

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An old Triumph headlight shell and a set of Ebay headlight brackets came next. The shrouds are exhaust tubing.

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I modified the KZ750 handlebar mounts to work with the Zephyr top clamp, and installed the adjustable center Les Williams used for his Triumph Trident "Legend" motorcycles.

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I'll be utilizing Jota adjustable bars from Omar's, and along with the Legend center, I should have zero difficulty finding a comfortable riding position.
 
I had to make my own fork stops.

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Next came wheels. I decided on 18" wheels from a KZ1000. The front took a bit of adapting, but I found the right bearings to allow the use of a spacer (it's a Yamaha part!) to adapt the bearing I.D. to the smaller Zephyr axle.

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I'll use the nice Zephyr calipers as well.

I polished the outer ring, and cleaned and painted the headlight shell. I also found a nice fender to go along with the 18" front wheel.

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Now we're up to date! ;D

So where am I going from here?

The tank will receive a Monza fuel cap, and the bike will end up a nice Forrest Green.

I am hoping to have decals made, or maybe to get someone to airbrush "Innamorata Motorcycles" on the tank where the factory emblem went. "Innamorata," for anyone wondering, is Italian for "one who someone is passionate about, usually a lover or mistress."

I have a bunch of wiring left to do, though most of the harness can remain stock.

I need to finish the seat pan, weld and paint it, so I can have it upholstered.

I need to build a nice set of rear sets.

And I think I am going to use the MAC 2into1 exhaust, but with a different muffler.

I need to clean and polish/paint the wheels.

And of course, ride the snot out of it!

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
Back to work! :D

Rearsets....

While digging around I found a set of steel brackets that looked like they might work.


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It wasn't a perfect fit, but opening the holes up a bit did the trick. I have some nice beveled aluminum washers coming that should give them a very nice look.

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Made up a foot peg holder/shifter pivot.

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Made a thrust washer so the shifter doesn't ride against the bracket. I think I remake it from brass though.

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Cut the tab off so I can weld it back on the other side.

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Looks like it should work well.

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Modified the stock shifter arm to make the stub.

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Looks good.

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Purchased a couple nice Heim Joints to make up the linkage.

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That's all for now. I'll take a pic when I get the linkage made. I'll also detail how I make up the right side.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
biker_reject said:
Niiice! Love the GpZ tank. Seat cowl looking good, as well. This Kaw is gonna be bad-ass.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

I have the linkage made up, so the shifter side is done (except for painting the parts/final assembly). On to the brake side now!

The GpZ tank needs some serious welding (had to put the KZ750 tank bottom in it). It's getting a Monza cap too.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
I've never been a huge "twin" fan, but I hafta say, they're growing on me... and this is a good example of why! :D

Looks like you've got things well in hand! :D
 
I can't wait to see you this turns out. I'm always looking for other KZ twins to draw inspiration from. I'm still debating putting slightly rearset pegs on mine, and I like to see the creative ways that folks use to reach the same end goal.
 
Found a broken tap in the case. An hour of testing my patients and the tap, along with the piece of broken bolt under it, was on the bench. Yes!

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Drilled and tapped the hole larger.

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Made an insert from a 7/16 bolt. It sits proud of the case so the transmission cover locates on it.

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And now it works just fine.

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I'll drop the oil pan to ensure no chips fell in as a small bit of the larger hole did penetrate into the engine.

That's all for now!
Bill
 
My first bike was a '79 KZ750 twin.... loved it and miss it very much. That thing taught me a lot about working on engines (and bikes). Nice work so far!
 
Sweet build man!! I working on my first and you and all the other gurus are my inspiration!!

Let me know if you're interested in selling the original rear cowl!!
 
78HawkII said:
Sweet build man!! I working on my first and you and all the other gurus are my inspiration!!

Let me know if you're interested in selling the original rear cowl!!
Click to expand...

I'll have to check and see if I still have it... if so, I'll let you know.

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
 
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