McCarleyHolmes 76 Kz400

[mccarleyholmes]

I just realized that I don't have an official DTT build thread for my 1976 kz400 cafe. You can find further detailed info on this build on my kz blog:
http://www.armbell.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7085&mforum=kz400

when I got her:

After the first paint job:

After I made a single seat and put sportster slip on mufflers on her:

Upgraded my headlight to a HID conversion super beam:

Currently reworking the tank. and thinking about a new color scheme.

Thanks for lurking.

Mike

 

[arcspeedworks]

Ha! I knew it was a matter of time before your KZ migrated over to DTT! Still looking awesome!

 

[mccarleyholmes]

let me know if you think the headlight is too high, and should be lowered?

 

[jay_kent]

Love that little headlight but I think it should be more in line with your tank. Sits a little too high right now.

 

[arcspeedworks]

I agree. Looks good, but would be even better just a bit lower.

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Thanks for your feedback, i am going to rework my headlight bracket to lower headlight.

Thinking of color combos, let me know your thoughts.

Silver Flake and White

Classic Red

Brown and Gold Flake

Blue Two Tone

Possibly trying to mimic a triumph two tone tank paint scheme.

Question:
Looking to have my fenders chromed, where should I start looking to refinish?

Thanks again for the replies.
Mike

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Another Scheme.
Black and Silver w lowered headlight and raked exhaust.

Mike

 

[mccarleyholmes]

I Picked up some clip-ons, and I am shaving my triple clamps. Figure I am going to fill the holes with set screws.

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Picked up parts from the finisher.

Happy with the results.

M

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Sorry for the wait, just moved my kz back home after its been stored in a friends garage for quite some time. So I should start cranking on it now. There was a rumor that CB500T carbs are a direct swap for the KZ setup. so I have bought a set on Ebay for 12 bucks and will start rebuilding them soon. I will keep you informed of the process. My wiring is a bloody mess, and have been avoiding it for a while now. this will be reworked soon.

Thanks for looking,
Mike

 

[RedRocket]

Super cool!! love the knee cut outs, and that new color is gorgeous.

 

[IndieSol]

I dig it. Is that a BCR headlight bucket or something you made up?

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Look into woody's CB/CL 350 build for headlight details.

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=10567.10

You can find them for cheap through a moped parts supplier, but they are designed around a 6V bulb, and the 12V bulb was still week, so i converted it to a HID beam and fabricated a bracket.

Like everything on this style of bike it takes a lot of messaging to get it to work.

Thanks.
Mike

 

[treitz]

Tank shape and color are money. Love it.

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Could definitely use some pointers on wiring. Any Advise on how to handle this?

Under Seat

Under Bars now that i have smaller headlight.

Should i use what i have or start a new harness? What would you guys do?

Mike

 

[Erskine]

What would you guys do?

Mike

I would sit in a dark corner and weep

 

[Saki]

if my kz's wiring was that bad and I couldnt ride it I'd get rid of it and start from scratch

 

[mccarleyholmes]

I am just taking it one day at a time and going threw all the wiring and Have been pounding away at it, and cleaning all my connections and replacing all wire terminals, and also slowly have been organizing my components under my seat, which is about 85% done.
Also cleaned my carbs good, installed the ignition wires to the replacement Dyna Coil, and replaced the plugs. she has spark!!!
Just have the front end wire mess to deal with, which I think will be the most difficult, due to the smaller headlight bucket, the HID ballast, and the excess length and unused wiring that is all up in there.
I am trying not to hook up the new fuel line and filters till I have the wiring cleaned up, just so I stay focused on electrical.

Happy Holidays guys,
Mike

 

[mccarleyholmes]

Bike is running strong and the plugs have a great milky tip. I have been working on this round of modifications for over a year and am really happy with how good its running. New coil is strong, and lower bars with new tapered bearings are very smooth. after market speedo works, battery is holding a charge, and my horn seams to scream louder then it ever did...
WOW.... Feeling good, now I just need to activate my registration and put it back on my insurance, then I might try to jump it......

Will post better picks soon!

Thanks guys, for all the help I found on this site.
Mike

 

[Ethanol]

Bike is running strong and the plugs have a great milky tip. I have been working on this round of modifications for over a year and am really happy with how good its running. New coil is strong, and lower bars with new tapered bearings are very smooth. after market speedo works, battery is holding a charge, and my horn seams to scream louder then it ever did...
WOW.... Feeling good, now I just need to activate my registration and put it back on my insurance, then I might try to jump it......


Will post better picks soon!

Thanks guys, for all the help I found on this site.
Mike

You in Cali? I love the weather out there. Although it was in the 50s here today. What are you gonna jump it over Evel?!

Also here's how I simplified my wiring on my 74: