‘79 Kz650B - Semi-Trackbike Build

[Streetfighterkz]

Set about fabbing a fender eliminator and taillight/plate bracket. I don’t mind the eliminator so much, but I spent a good amount of time on the bracket and not sure I like it.

Later, Doug

 

[doc_rot]

get a gas lens if you aren't using one. use as little electrode stick out as possible, get you tungsten sharp and keep it as close to the puddle as possible. practice, stainless is hard.

I was using a #7 cup and #10-15 cfh. (It’s hard to tell as it’s low on the scale). I ran 63amps as I heard 1A per .001”. However, I think some people use less amps for SS due to the HAZ. I did not back-purge although I did buy a dual flow meter to do so. I will use it when I really weld it.

Any other tips?

Later, Doug

 

[sandmanred]

I was using a #7 cup and #10-15 cfh. (It’s hard to tell as it’s low on the scale). I ran 63amps as I heard 1A per .001”. However, I think some people use less amps for SS due to the HAZ. I did not back-purge although I did buy a dual flow meter to do so. I will use it when I really weld it.

Any other tips?

Later, Doug

Be fussy about fit up, no gap is ideal. You should be able to go autogenous (no filler) if fit up is good. Does your welder have pulse? If so it's a big benefit, 30-30-30 is a good place to start, 30% background, 30% at full power and 30 hertz. I think back purge is essential for the weld. Tacking you can get by without.

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I did my best to have ZERO gap and I think I did really well on the two joints. No light showing through and I couldn’t “rock” the tubes to each other. I’m pretty sure I have pulse but I’ll double check. I will definitely back-purge for real welding.

I did stop by the metal shop and picked up 2lbs of 18ga (I think) SS metal coupons and another couple pounds of 16ga mild steel coupons.

Later, Doug

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I've been working on a rear caliper bracket for quite some time now. Finally got a design I liked and a coworker offered to 3D print a prototype for me. Other than having to shorten the wheel side spacer and turn up a spacer for the swingarm side, it will work as is.

Later, Doug

 

[doc_rot]

simple and clean. nice.

 

[Streetfighterkz]

Long time no update.

I wasn’t really feeling the stock taillight. The older Ducati Monster light I had was a wee bit too narrow. The LED strip was too wide but, I found my final taillight option.

Later, Doug

 

[Maritime]

I like that light.

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I made up a quick mounting plate last night. I didn’t offset the mounting location so the light is set back some from where I held it up in the earlier post. I think I like it there…

I still need to fab the license plate bracket but that should be relatively easy.

Later, Doug

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I got caught up with some things in the last couple months, but the bike is back up on the lift again.

Started the final sorting of the chain run. The wider wheel called for a 5/8” offset front sprocket, but it’s ever so slightly too far offset. So I bought another CS spacer and shortened it by 1.75mm.

Before:

After:

I didn’t think it would be enough for the chain to clear the cover…and it isn’t.

I thought about making a clutch release plate, but wouldn’t mind keep the stock cover if I can modify it and not butcher it too bad.

Kinda something like this, although this is on a 900/1000:

Later, Doug

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I went ahead and drew a sharpie line on the cover and started cutting last night. I think it turned out relatively nice. I’m a bit concerned with the top “tab” left. The chain may still hit it depending on swingarm angle during up-travel.

Later, Doug

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I know it’s not a build update, but a HUGE sigh of relief for me. I bought this bike Oct 23, 2022 with a bill of sale here in Missouri, but no title. I knew it was a gamble but I used the Vermont “loophole” to get their transferable registration aka title. Then I went to the MO DMV 9/14/2023 and filed the application for transfer of title. After some time, the clerk finally gave me all the paperwork I had back and said I should expect a title in 4-6 weeks. A couple months went by and nothing in the mailbox. Long story, much shorter: 10 e-mails, 4 phone calls and 13 months later, I finally got my MO title in the mail. Apparently, my application was “stuck in review” for the last year.

Worst case was to make it strictly a trackbike. Now I have a title, it’ll be at some bike nights in 2025.

Later, Doug

 

[Rider52]

Congrats on getting it titled.

 

[Streetfighterkz]

Since I have a bit more motivation now, I set about finalizing the swingarm swap. I replaced my mock spacers and bearings for the real ones. Plus I trimmed and mounted a Zephyr 750 guard on the Zr7 arm. Chain run still looks good, but the chain is close to the inside of the frame with the 5/8” offset sprocket and not far from running on the lower cross-member at full droop. The rear sprocket is 48T but I’ll probably got with the new 47T sprocket that will put me 5% lower gearing than OEM.

Later, Doug

 

[Maritime]

Nice

 

[doc_rot]

keep chipping away it!

 

[Streetfighterkz]

Nice

Thanks!

keep chipping away it!

My to-do list is getting shorter. I’m starting to think about hardware and paint/finishes. Still need to finish fabbing a license plate and rear turn-signal stalks. But I’m debating on cutting off the rear signal mounts or not.l along with the passenger footpeg brackets. i’m hesitant to “butcher” the frame but it’s not worth much stock IMO.

Later, Doug


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Streetfighterkz]

I wasn’t super satisfied with my quickly and crudely made taillight bracket so I designed one and tried using Sendcutsend.com. Other than one mis-measurement I made that did not take into account the ground wire connection of the Honda light, everything lined up perfectly. I did skip having the bracket bent as I thought I could do it myself and not spend the extra money. I chose 0.125” thick 5052 aluminum. Bending it the full width was quite a chore. Probably won’t do that again…

Another checked box on the To-Do list.

Later, Doug

 

[ridesolo]

Wow, very nice!

 

[adventurco]

Cool, I have been seeing their ads, how is the pricing?