Seat Kawasaki Z650 D4/LTD -81

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Hi guys,

I'm about to start on my first project. A Kawasaki Z650 D4/LTD -81 that I am going to change mostly simple parts i.e. seat, stearing etc. What I'm though is interested of is if there is somewhere I can find idéas of how to create my own seat, or find parts online. All ideas are welcome!

 

[ako]

Like I said on your other thread, post more info.

Show a pic of your bike with the seat on, and then the seat off. Provide some dimensions of the total length, the width at the tank and the width at the rear of the seat.

What style of seat are you looking for? Post pics of something that you like. Check out the sponsors over there

<-------

They have a lot of styles to choose from.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Like I said on your other thread, post more info.

Show a pic of your bike with the seat on, and then the seat off. Provide some dimensions of the total length, the width at the tank and the width at the rear of the seat.

What style of seat are you looking for? Post pics of something that you like. Check out the sponsors over there

<-------

They have a lot of styles to choose from.

Some pics on the seat and handlebar. I'm hoping that it's possible to cut the seat down to something like the grey bike, and change the handlebar as well as gauges. Got some ideas for the seat? I will measure the seat and tank tomorrow to have better info.

And also, someone got knowledge if there should be dimpled or non dimpled handlebars? Thinking of this ex: http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-handlebars-biltwell-black-tracker-handlebars-hb-trd-01-bk.html

 

[ako]

Your frame is very straight through the back there. You might be better of bending up some sheet metal, covering it in foam and sculpting to shape with a cutter/bread knife.

Then take it to a local upholster, with the photo of the grey bike.

You would need to check clearances too. If you new seat is flat, it might hit the wheel where the fender currently arches between the frame rails. Take your shocks off and swing the swing arm up to see if it will hit.

Those bars you posted are 1". I could be wrong but I think your bike would be 7/8". Get your verniers out. If you don't have some but some.

 

[trek97]

To make a bike seat...
Here is a super write up I posted on my blog. It was created by CCrider. Its on DTT but I condensed it and put it all in one place.
Scroll down on blog page to find it.

http://www.hondabrat.com/2013_02_01_archive.html

and the Tank CC made. It contains more fiberglass process info.

http://www.hondabrat.com/2013/01/diy-fuel-tank-5-big-posts-in-1-giant.html

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Your frame is very straight through the back there. You might be better of bending up some sheet metal, covering it in foam and sculpting to shape with a cutter/bread knife.

Then take it to a local upholster, with the photo of the grey bike.

You would need to check clearances too. If you new seat is flat, it might hit the wheel where the fender currently arches between the frame rails. Take your shocks off and swing the swing arm up to see if it will hit.

Those bars you posted are 1". I could be wrong but I think your bike would be 7/8". Get your verniers out. If you don't have some but some.

You mean better than shaping up the seat that I have right now? What would be the easiest way of finding foam that I could use as a seat even after taking it to a upholster?

Regarding the clearances. Do you mean that the tire would hit the top of the frame if making it flat? Taking the shocks of and measure if the tire would hit with a flat seat? If the tire hits the bottom of the flat seat, is it possible to fix?

I think you are right regarding the bars. Looks not as wide.. Tip regarding dimpled or not? I will measure the bars as well as seat etc. tomorrow. Great that you pointed it out, I did not even think of the "thickness"..

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

To make a bike seat...
Here is a super write up I posted on my blog. It was created by CCrider. Its on DTT but I condensed it and put it all in one place.
Scroll down on blog page to find it.

http://www.hondabrat.com/2013_02_01_archive.html

and the Tank CC made. It contains more fiberglass process info.

http://www.hondabrat.com/2013/01/diy-fuel-tank-5-big-posts-in-1-giant.html

Nice! Thanks. Looked it through and might start of with cutting the seat that I've got right now, and if that doesn't work, start to make my own. the thing is that I'm looking for a straight seat and as AKO said, maybe just make up some sheet metal and cover with foam to later on give to upholstery. Know if the foam would be OK to sit on?

 

[Scruffy]

KZ650 has 7/8" bars, so disregard ANY that are listed for Harley Davidson or late model metric cruisers, unless you plan to modify your top tree to run 1 inch inner diameter risers. You can actually find nicer handlebar design is 7/8 than you can find in full inch.

 

[Slantyface]

You're fortunate that the frame ends in a loop like that. An open ended frame can be a source of frustration for some...

 

[ako]

You mean better than shaping up the seat that I have right now? What would be the easiest way of finding foam that I could use as a seat even after taking it to a upholster?

Regarding the clearances. Do you mean that the tire would hit the top of the frame if making it flat? Taking the shocks of and measure if the tire would hit with a flat seat? If the tire hits the bottom of the flat seat, is it possible to fix?

I think you are right regarding the bars. Looks not as wide.. Tip regarding dimpled or not? I will measure the bars as well as seat etc. tomorrow. Great that you pointed it out, I did not even think of the "thickness"..

Easy source for a seat is a yoga mat or camping mat to start out with.

Yes, if you make the seat flat your top of tyre could hit the bottom of seat. Going over a bump around a corner a locking the rear would not be fun.

You could fix by installing longer shocks to start with but this will change geometry (not a good idea unless you know what you are doing). Or you could limit your existing travel with spacers but this is not a good idea of a bit that is meant to be ridden and not a show piece.

Dimpled will only work if you clamp spacing is the same as the dimple spacing. Otherwise you have ugly dimples on display.

You can get modern MX bars which are 1" mount but 7/8" bar ends. These will fit with new clamps. Clamps from a dirt bike will work. Bar examples are Renthal Fatbars.

As mentioned above, newer cruisers are 1" all the way through and you will need new grips, throttle, and controls. This seems like a pointless exercise.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

KZ650 has 7/8" bars, so disregard ANY that are listed for Harley Davidson or late model metric cruisers, unless you plan to modify your top tree to run 1 inch inner diameter risers. You can actually find nicer handlebar design is 7/8 than you can find in full inch.

Yes, measured it today and got 14/16-->7/8". I do not plan to mod. the top tree so thinking about ordering this: http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-handlebar-parts-chrome-euro-bars-11-0530-gbpc.html

7/8 feels like it's not that hard to find

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

You're fortunate that the frame ends in a loop like that. An open ended frame can be a source of frustration for some...

Yeah! I was really surprised that is was a loop as well as flat as it was. Tried to look into it before buying it and found out that it was worth checking it out.

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

Easy source for a seat is a yoga mat or camping mat to start out with.

Yes, if you make the seat flat your top of tyre could hit the bottom of seat. Going over a bump around a corner a locking the rear would not be fun.

You could fix by installing longer shocks to start with but this will change geometry (not a good idea unless you know what you are doing). Or you could limit your existing travel with spacers but this is not a good idea of a bit that is meant to be ridden and not a show piece.

Dimpled will only work if you clamp spacing is the same as the dimple spacing. Otherwise you have ugly dimples on display.

You can get modern MX bars which are 1" mount but 7/8" bar ends. These will fit with new clamps. Clamps from a dirt bike will work. Bar examples are Renthal Fatbars.

As mentioned above, newer cruisers are 1" all the way through and you will need new grips, throttle, and controls. This seems like a pointless exercise.

Ok, perf. reg. the seat. Just a flat metal seat, glue camping mat, and go to a carp. that can fix the rest.

No, would Not be nice with a locked tire! Think I'll look if it will be possible or if the tire will nudge the flat seat. Otherwise I'll have to have it as it is, or fix a seat that rises at the and.

Don't think I need dimpled since it will be kind of similar bars as I have not. Not that much shorter and therefore don't need dimples. Think I'll try the 7/8" and hopefully it will work!

 

[Scruffy]

I have the chrome (yuck) version of those bars on my 1963 Honda. They are decent, but sit a bit low for my height/weight and bad back/shoulders.

Can you get anything from Germany or Holland without too many issues? There are some KZ seats coming out of Germany that are really decent looking... And there are a couple shops in Lithuania that are turning out incredible custom UJMs (universal Japanese motorcycle, aircooled inline 4 cylinders)...

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

I have the chrome (yuck) version of those bars on my 1963 Honda. They are decent, but sit a bit low for my height/weight and bad back/shoulders.

Can you get anything from Germany or Holland without too many issues? There are some KZ seats coming out of Germany that are really decent looking... And there are a couple shops in Lithuania that are turning out incredible custom UJMs (universal Japanese motorcycle, aircooled inline 4 cylinders)...

Chrome could be nice I guess dep. on the bike hehe.

I believe there wouldn't be that many issues with getting stuff from either Germany or Lithuania. Regular mail would cover it.. Would you have the name to the shops or do they have online shops?

 

[ako]

For general parts (standard) in Germany I would order from these guys:

http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/

I have a copy of their catalogue and it is like a phone book.

They don't do cafe parts though....

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

For general parts (standard) in Germany I would order from these guys:

http://www.polo-motorrad.de/en/

I have a copy of their catalogue and it is like a phone book.

They don't do cafe parts though....

Nice, thanks! Know any other shop that does café parts? Maybe in UK, Denmark etc?

 

[andreas_boman@hotmail.com]

The seat measures 18,5 cm at the tank, 21 cm over the bat. and 24 cm at its widest. I'm thinking of shortening it about 7-10cm by cutting of the part where the fender is mounted, and move the end closer to the tank. This requires a change of the seat and maybe a new seat I guess though and not only cutting in the original.. You think that would be suitable?