LTD440 build

[Darin]

Here is the start to my first ever motorcycle build. Going for cheap but modding as much as possible because stock sucks! I came across this bike cheap, there are things i wish it had and some i wish i didn't but for my first build i didn't want to build my dream racer just yet. So the Kawasaki LTD440 is what i am taking on to create a modded bike with no limits on anything on it. Again not the bike i plan on keeping so also a budget build. I purchased the LTD non running, no keys, no power..... well easy enough, points, condenser, battery, oil and filter, now she RUNS. Due to some recent job changes the bike sat all summer until this past weekend. All my friends have been out riding their street fighters, cafe racers, and rockets all summer long and most of them modding or building others in the mean time... I plan on building a custom style bike some-wheres in between a cafe racer, bobber, and street fighter. So here she is the beginning of an inspired and long over due build

Before photos are attach of the ugly stocker

 

[Darin]

Re: LT440 build

Here is some photos of the mocking up and the desired height to achieve because if its not meant to go off road it needs to be scraping pavement

The handle bars are temporary just playing with things and getting ideas

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Are you going to Hardtail it? Or Mono-shock it? I only ask because if you are wanting to move those shock mounts that far forward I think you will have a safety issue. Always loved the little KZ440's they really do scream for their size. Keep at it, I'm interested in seeing how this turns out.

 

[Darin]

Are you going to Hardtail it? Or Mono-shock it? I only ask because if you are wanting to move those shock mounts that far forward I think you will have a safety issue. Always loved the little KZ440's they really do scream for their size. Keep at it, I'm interested in seeing how this turns out.

i was going to assemble it with the suspension moved that far forward and ride it around a bit and see. i was worried about it but can always mono it later if this does not work.

i attached a photo of the mounts moved which i just finished up on about 10 minutes ago. Tail and everything is not 100% yet did a quick kinda pre prime for now on it though

 

[johnu]

Don't forget if you move the shock mounting forward at the top you will also gain travel on the suspension (undesirable for your intentions I would imagine). I think this is a great first bike to modify but I would have probably left it standard height if it were mine, of course your vision is what you are working to though.

 

[xtpx]

Man this build is going to be awesome! Cant wait to see the stance after your work on the frame.

 

[Darin]

Don't forget if you move the shock mounting forward at the top you will also gain travel on the suspension (undesirable for your intentions I would imagine). I think this is a great first bike to modify but I would have probably left it standard height if it were mine, of course your vision is what you are working to though.

Yes i have also had in thought to machine bump stops to prevent hitting anything other than the bump stop in needed. I do not like the idea at all of hard tail so i will do what i can to not let that happen. if needed i will mono it and all will be good but would like to try this route first

 

[blkgsx90]

I will be watching this one. I can't wait to ride it!

 

[Darin]

I will be watching this one. I can't wait to ride it!

Erick you can test ride it for me if you want even!

 

[Darin]

Got the fork tubes dropped off the have them cut down...... Minimum of a week! Well I'll get the exhaust cut down and get the frame all finished up in the mean time. Any suggestion on guages, front headlight, and rear sets? I really like the fully indexable ones from dime city but this is a budget build and I'm honestly trying to do the build for under $500 including the price of the bike. That's just kinda part of the fun but not limited to that. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks

 

[M.B Co]

I got rid of my light indicators and modified the stock gauge bracket by cutting the center out so each gauge uses it's own bracket. I have white LED's to throw in when it's ready to ride.

I'll be using DCC 7" Black/Chrome Metric Style on my 440 build

This guy

And add these

 

[Darin]

Finally got the fork tubes back just this past Wednesday. Had some friends over tonight and we assembled the bike enough to get it on the ground and i could not be happier with the final outcome of the stance. Still have quite a bit more of work to do but now im able to get back at it and am looking quite forward to it.

Updated photos with finished stance

 

[Darin]

one more to add

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

That bracket hanging off the back of the frame is scaring me a little...are your shocks rigid? (fake?) I only ask because I ran into a small problem in one of my builds, if you hit any sort of large bump/pothole etc, the shocks bottom out and hit my skid plate. Luckily, I had a skid plate and nothing hanging down past the frame so it ended up being OK. Thought I would chime in sense I had made this mistake on my first build!

 

[Darin]

I'm redoing the rear hoop. As an after thought I should have waited to weld that one in but live and learn, trial and error. Ill update the photos when I get a chance to re do the hoop. I've got a lot going on right now so it will probably be a while but looking forward to it. That bracket on the back is going btw just never got around to it. Thank you for the input it is always appreciated

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Sounds good! This is going to be one cool scoot when done.

 

[Darin]

This is what I think I'll have to do to finish up the hoop. Also looking for stiffer rear suspension because the stock ltd is so soft it won't work for me. I've also added some photos of everything put back on just to make it mobile around the garage for now. It's coming along slowly still but getting there. I'm have a hard time trying to find a tank I want so I'm working on a fiberglass mold if I can shape it right I will probably rock a custom glassed tank... We shall see

 

[Darin]

Photos