new pics!!!!! KZ650: what the hell is it going to be?!?

B

bunnyman

Been Around the Block
I ditched the Honda CM250C for a little Kawa muscle... this thing is begging for some streetfighter attitude. Does anyone know what front ends I coud swap int this bad boy? I have read a bit about modern suspension components being grafted into older Kawa's with minimal fuss- that sounds like it's a bunnyman-type project. I will proudly ride with my ears outside of my Joe Rocket red carbon helmet on this whip!!!!

Yes, Mad Max is the inspiration for this build. I am not going to make a replica of the Toe Cutter or the other bikes in that film; however, I am going for what I think the Mad Max bikes would be if the movie were done TODAY.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

I will have pics soon. The bike is still at the shoppe at the moment. But the pics can be arranged, just not quite yet.

A Gixxer front end, eh? I kinda like the idea of a modern front end on this bad boy. I just have to find the suitable donor front end after a bit of research.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

This should help you out:

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=5669.0
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

Thanks a ton, mate!!!

I had found a similar resource for when I was going to fit a Rebel front end onto the CM250C project I just aborted; however, this one looks to be a bit easier to use!!!

I don't foresee me getting into new front ends for awhile on this bike, as what I would like to use is a bit more expensive than what I was going to do to te CM250C; however, I don't see me outgrowing that bike anytime soon.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

I put Renthal MotoX bars onto this steed. I decided on a Thruxton-style flyscreen and stock-style 7" headlight. I liberated the fender brace from it's ugly, heavy steel fender and the brace will get flat black rubberised coating. The CF fender will look KILLER. More things are in store for the front end. No clip-ons or rearsets for me, thanks.

I will make a new cafe seat work on this; the shoppe wanted $300 to modify the frame to get the seat to work. I will do this with a little help from my friends. I have a feeling that I can think a bit further outside of the box than the mechanics who were going to do this for me. I have made things work before...

The bike is getting her throttle cables replaced next week. It's a bloody shame that the weather will be not good for riding :'(
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

I may show a photo of the fender modification very soon.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

bunnyman said:
I may show a photo of the fender modification very soon.
Click to expand...


Many fo tos. Of everything. PLEASE?? :D :D :D
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

Alright, already!!!! Give me a day- I am a poor black guy in the ghetto!!!!
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

bunnyman said:
Alright, already!!!! Give me a day- I am a poor black guy in the ghetto!!!!
Click to expand...

NO MERCY!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/44624369@N04/4267952628/
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

If my eyes don't deceive me, you have '77 B1, same as mine. The wire wheels are the B model, the caliper in front of the fork is a first year trait if I remember correctly. I can't tell in that shot but is your master cylinder round?

A couple things about your six fiddy. The '77's had a one year only charging system with a separate regulator & rectifier. If the sixth digit of your vin is a 5, yours was built in Nebraska. If it's a 0, it was built in Japan.

Common mods are a dyna iggy, the 'coil mod' & some people like a 17 tooth front sprocket to get out of a vibey spot they have at highway speeds.

Great motorcycles man, I'm on my second one & have had quite a few adventures with 'er, Have fun!
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

kawasakifreak77 said:
If my eyes don't deceive me, you have '77 B1, same as mine. The wire wheels are the B model, the caliper in front of the fork is a first year trait if I remember correctly. I can't tell in that shot but is your master cylinder round?

A couple things about your six fiddy. The '77's had a one year only charging system with a separate regulator & rectifier. If the sixth digit of your vin is a 5, yours was built in Nebraska. If it's a 0, it was built in Japan.

Common mods are a dyna iggy, the 'coil mod' & some people like a 17 tooth front sprocket to get out of a vibey spot they have at highway speeds.

Great motorcycles man, I'm on my second one & have had quite a few adventures with 'er, Have fun!
Click to expand...

It is a '77, and I have to look at the VIN. The master cylinder IS round, and the forks have mounts for brake calipers on both sides..

Please elaborate on the Dyna Iggy and Coil Mod. I am a noobie.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

bunnyman said:
The master cylinder IS round, and the forks have mounts for brake calipers on both sides..

Please elaborate on the Dyna Iggy and Coil Mod. I am a noobie.
Click to expand...

I figured so. You've a good base to start with as the B models (wire wheels, single disk front & drum rear brakes) are about 20 lbs lighter than the C which had mags & triple disks. Good news is that a second disk on front is basically a bolt on affair if you want to go that way & I have the parts to do it laying around. Pm me if you're interested.

About the coil mod, see here.

http://www.wgcarbs.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26

It get's more voltage to the coils by bypassing a lot of wiring they came with from the factory.

Dyna iggy.

http://www.dynaonline.com/skins/products/sportbikes/dyna_s/

Scroll down, DS2-2 is the PN for the six fiddys.

For more info than you can shake a loaded bazooka at, go here.

http://forums.kz650.info/index.php

I'm over there along with a few other members here.

& here's what I've done with mine if your interested.

http://www.ninja6zone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10066

As she sat before this winter's teardown.

9618_1220776925608_1414479908_645686_2361580_n.jpg


Have a good one man.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

And as far as the Thruxton rear rim goes, does it fit within the width of stock swing arm? I wouldn't mind being able to use modern, wider rubber with the stock spoked rims. I was going to convert this to the mags, but they are EXTREMELY heavy. I have a front I am going to unload. I would like to use modern rubber in general, as I just like the looks and performance of modern rubber.

While the paint on this bike is new, it was not performed the best. The pewter/gold bit on the tank wasn't masked out well, and the paint is generally pebbly. The tank will probably end up being painted one day (once I fit the new set and fairing). I don't know what colour to go with...

Thanks for posting your work.
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

kawasakifreak77 said:
.....here's what I've done with mine if your interested.

http://www.ninja6zone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10066
Click to expand...

Nice reading ;)

One thing I did notice though - you suggested you might be able to run tubeless with the Triumph rim. You can't. That rubber strip is there to protect the tube from being ripped apart by the spokes. It won't be airtight enough to go tubeless (although you can run tubeless tyres with tubes - no problem ;))
 
Re: KZ650 that is begging for some treatment!!!

Yeah the Thruxton wheel fit in the factory arm fine. I was going to go with a '90 model ZX600 arm but it will only work being monoshocked 'cause of the factory offset. Sad thing it fits the frame great but I dropped a c note in getting a spool made just to fit the 650 frame. Now I'm scrambling to find a GS1100 arm & blindly wasted money.

I found out about the rubber dealio later on, this is my first motorcycle with spokes so I'm venturing into uncharted territory lacing up 17's. If I'm successful with the lacing project, I'll make a write up.

You be interested in rearsets or a one off tach mount?
 
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