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[cargod78]

Hello all, My name's Mike. Just started my first cafe project, hell, my first Bike project at all... scored a 1975 kawasaki kz400 that had been sitting under a tarp for the last 20 year.. it is in pretty rough shape so im sure it will require LOTS of work. I am an Auto mechanic by trade and have never worked on bikes before. Any info or pitfalls to avoid would be appreciated.

 

[Big R]

Welcome to the site man! Round about where are you located and have any pics of the scoot?

I'm no auto mechanic (working on bikes spoiled me), but you should find it's MUCH easier to work on the bike. After you clean off 30 years of neglect and lack of general maintenance of course......

 

[cargod78]

i actually dont even pick the bike up till 7pm tomorrow, already got big plans. i want to do a classic satin black ride, no frills and all thrills.. I am just north of joppa road on harford (technically Carney)

 

[cargod78]

well, here it is in all its rusty glory. 20 years of no use sitting in a back yard.. hasnt been turned over since the early 90s.. most of it will get scrapped, but it hopefully will have a salvagable engine and frame

 

[cargod78]

well, project might be dead before it even gets going.. no title.. and all the parts that need to be replaced: tank, shocks, seat, clutch, all controls, all lighting, carbs need rebuilt at minimum, both tires and both brakes are locked up. looking inside the engine (thru the oil fill) the engine looks real clean inside but i cant turn it over without the clutch working(wont release the kick start). and then the whole title issue. turns out it used to belong to the brother of the guy i bought it from, and he doesnt care to help track it down...

 

[Big R]

Man, that sucks. Only thing I can suggest is try to find another bike with a title- you would be surprised how 2 junkers can make 1 really clean scoot.

 

[cargod78]

yeah, thats what i am hoping for. afraid to commit too much effort to anything on this chassis without a title yet. could probably get a mechanics lien title but is it worth it?

 

[cargod78]

looks like i am changing things up a bit.. the kawasaki just needs too much work for a first project. got my eyes on two other prospects (complete running bikes in stock form) a 1984 honda cb750 and a 1982 suzuki gs400 hopefully one comes thru

 

[cb 400 t]

welcome this is a great site, im new to bikes also. the people on this site know there shit, any problem i have i can find the answer here. good luck with the new bike

 

[Big R]

If it's an 82 GS400, get it. Those are nice (and rare) bikes. Check this link out:


http://www.suzukicycles.org/All-Suzuki/all_suzuki_models.html

 

[cargod78]

alrighty, finally back on point with my project, as i said i have abandoned the kz. I am picking up a 1976 cb550f on sunday that runs well and only has minor electrical issues (lighting) any suggestions on which headlight/tail lights to use to get that vintage cafe look?

 

[cargod78]

picked up the bike last sunday, runs great but has a couple of gremlins (electrical)

By mikeholmes78 at 2011-11-13

i started a thread in the big arse build section for it