Looking for some input on seat and tank look

[goochwarmer]

I have a Kz550 I am going to redo this winter, and I want a Cafe style racer but I am cheap and well relatively untalented when it comes to fabrication. I was going to chop the tail and move the stock assembly forward, chop the seat to a solo and reduce its height and recover, and have the look. But does that really make it a Cafe style? Or some bastardized version? I'm not trying to pigeonhole myself to Cafe so I can be cool, I like the tank and seat combo and how it flows.

I know the seat and tank make the look so I'm looking for some input

 

[VonYinzer]

For what its worth, I think it looks good. That said, you already said that YOU like it, so nobody else's opinion should matter. Its your bike man. Do as you please. Once you start asking for opinions on style points, you'll run the risk of losing some of what will make your bike special. Just have fun and build what makes you smile.

 

[teddpage]

I second what Von had to say. All that matters is that YOU like your own bike. I dont know if you have the tail section where you want it in the second pic, but it looks a little too close to the tank for my taste. Not a lot of room to move around on longer rides. But like i said before...its yours so do what you want!!!

 

[DreadRock]

First i agree 100% on ^^^^ ! As for the seat you might want to place it where you would like it and sit on it to give you a idea on what kind of room you will have . Dont forget if you plan on running rear sets that might change thing and move tail to fit ! Good Luck Man

 

[redwillissuperman]

Here's a nickel of advice (two and half times as good as my two-cents):

Do you really want to hack the irreplaceable frame for a $50 seat part?

I bought one of those $50 eBay seats to have a look at, and as long as you use some metal mounting brackets to mount it to the frame, they're good. I'm going to put it on a KZ550 that I found in a ditch.

The rear seat cowl is too narrow for further up on the frame. To get the right look you would need to cut and section it, blowing $50 is fiberglass, sanding discs and frustration. I did the same with a Honda rear cowl and it took too long for how "easy" it was supposed to be.

 

[goochwarmer]

So that I understand...you got one of those white pre-fabbed cafe seats from Ebay and in lieu of hacking the rear of the frame... just mounted it up? And it looked good? Would you have pictures of said look? Trust me I don't want to hack the hell outta the thing and and would like the look but my mind has two thoughts: 1. the elevation change from the tank to the back is 5-8% and it wouldn't mount correctly. and 2. the overall length would look goofy.

 

[VonYinzer]

Cut it up. Not being a dick but it's a kz550 not a 1912 Indian. They made plenty of them. And if done correctly, cutting and reinforcing the frame can be made to look better than factory.

Again, not busting your balls, but you want a cafe racer not a factory correct kz550 right? Gotta break eggs to make cafe racers... Or something like that.

 

[goochwarmer]

Lol..gotta break eggs to make cafe racers? Nice! I want something no one else has, that's why I wanna chop the frame. But that little jackwagon in the back of my brain says "Yeah, don't cut the frame" he is also the one who said "you can drink the whole bottle, it's only Vodka". After all these years I still can't get a read on him....anyway I have things to ponder. Mostly how to cut and brace to the frame, but a pic could convince me otherwise.

 

[Thedyingninja]

you know what would make it cool! put some fuckin pinwheels and kaleidoscopes on it, and paint some unicorns on it, and then make leather side panels for it, and over it in fur!
no for real, just do whatever YOU want, screw everyone else, if you think its cool, thats what makes it cool, not anyone on here or anywhere else.
New trends and what becomes "cool" only gets that way because someone did something new, and stuck by it.
if you think its cool, its cooler than anything else will ever be.

 

[Thedyingninja]

By the way, i say cut the effin thing, itll look sick when youre done, and you can cut the back of the frame and move the rails in a bit for that rear cowl to fit right on it....
dont be a nancy, put on your fire retardant panties and grab the frickin torch!

 

[DreadRock]

Not a Kaw but your looking to do something like this .....

For me anything behind the shock upper mounts and braceing is fair game ! Only because i not that great of welder and this was my first build !!!!

 

[VonYinzer]

Ya. Exactly. Avoid the shock mounts, but behind that point, cut away. But, always remember that when reinforcing structures are removed, they need to be replaced. They're there for a reason.

 

[redwillissuperman]

Ya. Exactly. Avoid the shock mounts, but behind that point, cut away. But, always remember that when reinforcing structures are removed, they need to be replaced. They're there for a reason.

Exactly. More than likely if you are not experienced with building a frame from scratch, making the amount of changes required to fit the cowl in that position would either:

A) render the frame useless since you would get half through and abandon it
B) the bike would be dangerous from a lack of rigidity/geometry

You can easily adjust the tank position/angle. Also, lengthening the seat or making it blend with the tank is easy compared to the frame mods.

Here is my test fitting of the seat I made. I ended up adjusting the tank position and the seat rake. I left the frame completely stock so I can swap back to the standard seat in the future.

 

[goochwarmer]

Well there is "cool as hell" and "deadly as F#@K"...got a pm from another member (which I totally appreciate) who gave me some ideas to consider. The fact is my idea of cutting and possible pinching the back is a bad idea frame and safety wise. Lack of tire clearance, frame stability, and a host of other problems the conversation brought forth. I'm going to try and still find a way to integrate the rear tail...but a craigslist for a 400 LTD just popped in my area and I may have another tank to consider. Thanks everyone...I'll let you all in when I start cutting!!!!

Oh and I have the tassels and rainbow and lollipop scheme ready to go Ninja

 

[teazer]

I'd put that cowl back where it came from and cut down the seat foam in the rider's section and re-shape the rear section to flow into that cowl at exactly the same height. That way you have a seat for a hot chick, no need to cut the frame and it will look good/balanced.

 

[Thedyingninja]

I'd put that cowl back where it came from and cut down the seat foam in the rider's section and re-shape the rear section to flow into that cowl at exactly the same height. That way you have a seat for a hot chick, no need to cut the frame and it will look good/balanced.

There's something to consider... and u might be able to tuck your battery back there to clean up the engine area

 

[goochwarmer]

Now that is something to consider, flatten the seat out with a rise at the end to meet the cowl...I do want to clean the engine and was going to strap everything to the underside of the seat pan. I need to get one of those smaller batteries cause there is no know kick-starter for the 550 without a major PIA.

Now to find the hot chick....

Thanks guys!