my 82 650csr build the "RAT RACER"

[jbalet666]

hey everybody new to this forum
used to post alot on kzrider.com but made alot of people mad with what i was going for hahahaha
im currently working on this 1982 kz650 CSR
this is my first actual running bike so bare with me ill have alot of questions and need alot of help hahaha
and going for a rat rod style cafe racer (i.e. primer pinstripping rough rugged and rustic styling not that weird pack rat stuff with all the junk tacked on to your bike)
so this is mertle (yes i name my bikes)
got it pretty much bone stock

as you can see the seat isnt stock but its not sticking around so it doesnt really matter

 

[jbalet666]

first thing i got around to doing was sand blasting the fender
heres what i started off with

so i decided to go with sandblasting

and this is what i ended up with

not bad for my first time sandblasting

 

[mazdog355]

I like the factory spoked aluminum rims, it'll be interesting to see what you do with this bike

 

[jbalet666]

next up was the tank
here are the before pictures

used some plain ol aerosol paint stripper worked pretty well took a couple shots with it but it all came off without much trouble
but in all honesty i didnt have much patience with it either

and heres the final product

theres some surface rust but i just call it character

here it is mounted back on the frame with its badges on

 

[jbalet666]

well thats all i have pictures of at the moment
mechanically speaking the bike is pretty sound
i am however having a problem with the motor loosing power after 45mph
ive checked out everything i can think of and know how to do and i cant figure it out so its at the shop for now
it had the clean air system removed but as far as i can tell they did an ok job
i sealed up the rest of the leaks (very minor ones) and no change in power
one of the outside cylinders was running a tad cold but i chalked that up to increased air flow while riding
gonna check the timing valve clearences etc at the shop hopefully that will shed some light on the situation
also noticed that the air filter was rather small so i maybe thats a minor factor adding up with some others that combined have a noticeable effect on the power of the motor
checked the choke its sticky but is all the way closed (she runs super cold so i have to start her with the choke and close it the bike warms up)
anybody else got any suggestions its my first bike and im at a loss
so anyways
got it to the shop
and the mechanic got ready to take it for a ride
and just my luck the cable snaps as he tries to put it in gear
so its gonna be a little while
next up is going to be:
-clip ons
-lowering the front end
-working out some problems with the guages
-replacing fuel line/filter
-hidden kill switch under the seat
-seat change
-new turn signals
-new headlight bracket
-new tail light
-relocate license plate
-pegs
-relocate electrical from under the seat to in butt stopper
along with other mostly cosmetic changes

eventually im going to pod filters but seeing as i dont really know how to tune/sync carbs ill have to wait to do the rejetting etc.
so stay tunned for hopefully constant updates and pictures of my bikes transformation

 

[jbalet666]

I like the factory spoked aluminum rims, it'll be interesting to see what you do with this bike

thanks they will be staying
luckily they came factory going to try to clean them up they have "soap scum" looking stuff on the rims
but its gonna be a pretty traditional cafe i just prefer the look of bare metal like industrial stuff and natural age on stuff
i know its not a common bike to cafe but i like a challenge
hope you enjoy the thread

 

[Green199]

Cool start! Always like to see how people pull off the rustic aged look.

I did the same to mine but have now given up on it.

 

[jbalet666]

Cool start! Always like to see how people pull off the rustic aged look.

I did the same to mine but have now given up on it.

Yeah my plan is to have everything be bare metal right now im using wax as a water barrier to keep the original patina because I don't want it to just rust out completely if it doesn't work I'll try the clear coat route but from what I heard that doesn't work for too long either

 

[jbalet666]

ok everyone quick update
got the bike back and everything is alot better
BUT
looking at the work order
i could have done everything on there myself
but pops as usual insited on taking it in there
going to go through and do all the elctrical stuff i think next
i.e. new turning signals stone guard for headlight ex.
and the seat will be comming next month so thats also in the near future
and along with that comes moving all the components that are under the seat into the butt stopper so
work on that will start sometime in the next two weeks
as always any suggestions advice and postive feedback are always greately appreciated!