Biting off more than you can chew.

DrJ

DrJ

Over 1,000 Posts
This is why you shouldn't get too ambitious for your first build and trying to modernize an old bike is just not worth the cost and hassle if you're not up to the task. Lesson learned kids, with all the money he spent on this half-baked idea, he could've easily bought a decent running bike that would blow away his finished project.



http://hamilton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-sport-bikes-Need-a-project-W0QQAdIdZ209246422

I've been working on this project bike but I've come to a grinding halt. The plan was to stuff a KZ1000J engine into an updated KZ750 frame.

Here's an incomplete list of parts and what I've spent so far (excluding the original price of the KZ750 bike).

Parts:
- 2005 ZX636 front forks and trees ($300 US plus shipping)
- 2000 ZX6 front brakes ($50 US plus shipping)
- 2005 front fender ($50 US plus shipping)
- 2000 ZX9 wheels ($350 US plus shipping)
- rear sprocket mount and cush drive ($100 US plus shipping)
- 2000 ZRX swingarm ($200 US plus shipping)
- 2000 ZRX rear shocks ($225 US plus shipping)
- new seat cover - not installed yet ($50 US plus shipping)
- Dyna S ignition and coils and Supertrapp race exhaust (traded for the KZ750 L3)
- KZ900 light bucket ($15 US plus shipping)
- 1982 KZ1000J motor, wiring harness, and, mounts ($500 CDN)
- 1982 KZ1000 motor transmission cover/sealing ring ($35 US plus shipping)
- 1982 KZ1000 engine sprocket cover ($35 US plus shipping)

Labour costs so far:
- fitting trees/stem into KZ frame ($350 CDN)
- bracing frame ($100 CDN)
- fitting ZRX swingarm and fabbing up brackets to correctly mount ZRX shocks ($300 CDN)

I'm sure I'm forgetting some other stuff but you get the idea.

Now I'm at a standstill due to a lack of mechanical and fabricating skills and equipment. Maybe you would consider a trade for a complete running bike? A KZ650, KZ750, or KZ900 would be great or something similar I can take to the track (primarily) but also use on the street? Doesn't have to be pretty but it has to be a Kawasaki.

My wife isn't keen on me spending any more $$$ if I don't have to. Let me know or give me a call (519-386-1128) if you have something in mind. I can possibly deliver it all to you on my trailer.
 
Looks like all you need is a buddy to come by and help.

Where are you falling short in the build? Seems you have most of what you need...
 
people crack me up...looks to be the hard part is done, even custom swing arm, if you can figure that out then y not just finish it?
 
Throw the guy a low ball and have some good parts for your project. Bike aint worth much in that condition.

Its stepping back, resting when times get tough then pulling though that makes these projects all the worth while in the end.
 
I actually sent this guy a email a few days ago, I told him to not let the wife discourage him and to take down the kijiji ad and finish the damm project. I looks like it could be a nice bike.
 
People like this are the reason vintage Japanese bikes are expensive.

I get tired of seeing butchered up vintage bikes. If the guy was my friend I'd tell him to buy a stocker, learn how to keep it running, and modify as time goes by and he finds areas that could be improved.
 
A lot of times you get a brainwave and set about building it. Then you reach a point where you need help. Cash won't bail you out. You need a machne shop or something of the like. Not knowing what to do or who to turn to can overwhelm you. Thats one of the reasons places like this are a great help. The guy obviously has a vision. He just needs a nudge in the right direction to get it finished. I'd be willing to bet that once he gets past this particular hurdle he'll be on the road in no time.

The "butchered" Jap bikes is a generational thing. The Brits parted out priceless vintage stuff in the 50s and 60s and thought nothing of it. I have a '70 CB750 out in the garage. Its just about 100% original and I want to get rid of it as I need the room. But I will not sell it to someone who wants to cut it up into a caferacer. Its just too original.
 
There's a plethora of shops that will do the fab work and finish the bike for you. Either bite the bullet, shell out the cash, and pick up your finished running bike, or get some books on fabricating and do it yourself. Sounds like a lack of motivation to me, which happens when a project drags on and you don't see the end in sight. Not my cup-o-tea, but could be a neat project.
 
sometimes I feel like this could be me. But Im not that far gone. Just havent posted progess lately on the 175. I WILL SEE IT THROUGH! Sucks to be this guy.
 
Nobody knows if he took a decent bike, and hacked it up. I highly doubt he did, as he's not a member here. And nobody knows his particular circumstances either, so why is this thread here? And why are people responding to his ad telling him not to listen to his wife? MYOB
 
I saw the ad on kijiji too. :'(

It's easy to loose you way in a "project". There are hundreds of these stories all over the world. Bikes, cars, trucks, boats, houses, cottages... you name it.

I think the only reason I made it through to the end, is because I have an emotional investment in the project. I've owned my KayZed since it was new in '77. The project began about a month after I got it!

There was a gap of about 22 years during the process and I considered giving it up but I wanted it too much! I was willing to wait until the time was right to carry on. The "doing" was as important as the "completion". For riding, I found another bike to tide me over until it was finished.

In my case, the end was worth the wait and I couldn't be happier! It could have been much different though if I didn't have the support of my wife! :-*




KZZXR2008005.jpg






Most of these "extensive" projects take 4 times as long and often cost much more you originally expect.

My 2 cents. :)
 
killerdwarf said:
so why is this thread here?
Click to expand...


I think the "Good Doctor" was simply posting this as an example of "biting off more than we can chew"... project-wise, and the unfortunate results.

These things happen. :(
 
It's really not as bad as we all think, I've chatted with him and know where he's coming from. I offten feel the same way...just wants a bike he can ride, not work on. Time is often a deciding factor, family, work, and other comitments prolong builds and snags do add up quick in the $$$$ department. My bobber project which was supose to be a quick low buck build turned into the GIANT time/money pit I'm still working on and droppin coin on LOL, and I'm not even sure why I do it...I want a cafe bike but started this bobber instead, if I could go back in time I wouldnt have started the damn thing at all. I'm 100% sure the KZ will be finished, just not by him.
 
killerdwarf said:
And why are people responding to his ad telling him not to listen to his wife? MYOB
Click to expand...

Because I think everyone here has had at one time or another felt overwhelmed and felt like giving up.
 
It's just too bad that a real person, and project were used as an example. I sure as hell can't see a post like that happening if it were a member of this forum. Not fair for people to jump to conclusions either. I feel for the guy. Looks like he did a pretty good job on what he has, and had it done right. I set a time on my 750 SOHC project of 10 years. It's been 4 so far. Unfortunately time to work on my own bikes is pretty rare these days!!! Got a beautiful DOHC 750F which I just picked a complete suspension from a 1000 Hurricane for. I know damned well I don't have the time for all the plans I have, but oh well, none of my bikes owe me anything.....yet. It is however very, very easy to fall into the trap though! Get a bike, look on the WWW, get big plans, bigger dreams, and tear the bike apart the next day with no forthought on where the money's coming from!
 
as my project progresses i realize more and more how unnecessary a lot of my stock plans were... for example...

new cam, valves, springs etc etc... would have cost me over 1000 dollars for the parts... for what gain? 3 or 4 horses at best.

the thing that drove me to go all the way in was that thought in the back of my head that down the road i would hate to look at my bike and wonder whats the motor look like... wonder if i missed a bolt thats now broken and rattling about.

hell, its been fun so far. when its done i just know it would all be worth it.


killerdwarf said:
It is however very, very easy to fall into the trap though! Get a bike, look on the WWW, get big plans, bigger dreams, and tear the bike apart the next day with no forthought on where the money's coming from!
Click to expand...


its shocking how true this is... my bike lasted 2 days before i stripped it down...
 
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