1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Almost finished

[slushie07]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

any updates on this thing?

Well I'm down at school right now, so that is pretty much how I left it, but hopefully if I can get my garage warm enough, I can get a lot done over thanksgiving break. Hopefully paint the primered spokes, polish the hubs and assemble the wheels.

 

[krayz]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

Hey, The bike is looking great. My project is a 77 kz400. I am looking forward to seeing more of it. I saw that you had 2 sets of carbs, Is that a back up set?

 

[slushie07]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

One is a set from a 75 and the other from my bike, a 76. I plan on using the 75 carbs because there jets are slightly larger and without the airbox, the engine should breath better and need more fuel. I plan on selling the 76's if i can get my bike running well with the 75's.

 

[krayz]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

Well if you do get it running well let me know. I was thinking of running a single, but man those look nice.

 

[slushie07]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

Its been awhile since I have posted anything, but here is an update of the project.

Bike in its new home in Columbus, IN

Carbs mounted

New key switch mount

Bike with unpainted tank and seat

 

[slushie07]

Here are a series of pictures after I painted the rest of the sandblasted and body worked pieces.

My paintbooth

Primered parts hanging in the garage

Parts in the make shift booth

Red parts

Primered tank, seat and front fender

Tank, seat and fender with red stripe coat, masked and ready for black paint

Painted parts

More parts

 

[slushie07]

Putting it all together.

Lead acid battery

Tank in place

Electronics tray

Clubman handlebars

Rear fender and tank rubber cushion

Gauges in place

Close up of gauges and idiot lights

Front forks with fork boots from a cb550 and fender brace

Gauge covers, these used to be covered in chrome

Electronics tray fully in place with some wiring and my new AGM sealed battery and the seat bracket

Front fender and brake caliper bracket

Front brake caliper and headlight

Seat and tank together

Bike from the rear

Truing the front wheel

Dial gauge measuring rim runout

Tire mounted on front wheel

Front wheel installed

Bike as it sits now

 

[valvesprung]

Re: 1976 KZ400 Cafe Transformation - Mock Up Pics

Excellent!

 

[MILLENNIUM FALCON]

there is just something about a kz with a red frame. lol looks great!

 

[barnabasantioch]

Did you have to use a special paint or technique to paint your springs? I'd like to do that with mine, but I fear that the constant compression could cause chipping.

 

[slushie07]

I was a little worried about that. All I did was glass bead blast the chrome surface off/ rough it up, primered them and then painted them with an acrylic enamel paint. I havent actually ridden it yet, but Im not too worried. I think paint is suprisingly flexible.

 

[MILKY]

I was a little worried about that. All I did was glass bead blast the chrome surface off/ rough it up, primered them and then painted them with an acrylic enamel paint. I havent actually ridden it yet, but Im not too worried. I think paint is suprisingly flexible.

man i'd like to know how the paint works out on springs.. any news?

 

[slushie07]

The paint has held up just fine on the springs.

Here is a picture of how the bike looks today.