valvesprung
Over 1,000 Posts
What type of rear shocks did you end up using?
Its finally DONE!! 77 KZ400 Cafe
- Thread starter billetproofcustoms
- Start date
kneedragger
Been Around the Block
Incredible build, man... got a few questions, if you don't mind...
1. What model is the rear wheel hugger from?
2. How do the forks stay aligned with no fender or brace mounted to tie them together?
3. Where can I see this little ripsnorter in person?
You did a great job detailing the frame; looks like it was mediablasted, then powdercoated... please correct me if I'm wrong. What color is the frame? It looks more gray than black, and I think it really makes the frame stand out from the fork lowers and rims...
Though I'd probably HATE it because of the noise from those open pipes, I'd still want to ride it... until my ears started bleeding 8)
1. What model is the rear wheel hugger from?
2. How do the forks stay aligned with no fender or brace mounted to tie them together?
3. Where can I see this little ripsnorter in person?
You did a great job detailing the frame; looks like it was mediablasted, then powdercoated... please correct me if I'm wrong. What color is the frame? It looks more gray than black, and I think it really makes the frame stand out from the fork lowers and rims...
Though I'd probably HATE it because of the noise from those open pipes, I'd still want to ride it... until my ears started bleeding 8)
billetproofcustoms
Billetproof Customs
They are Koni shocks, used aftermarket.valvesprung said:
billetproofcustoms
Billetproof Customs
kneedragger said:
Not sure what you mean by rear wheel hugger?
As long as your axle mounts are tight, the wheel stays aligned just fine, but yes it does have a brace across the tire, it just wasnt on in the pic, I was fabricating it at the time...
You can see it in my home city of Lubbock, Texas, It could be yours for the right price...
since the weather is now starting to change, I am going to go back into the shop with it over the winter and really "finish" it out (rearsets, details here and there). I am hopefully going to make a couple of magazines and some regional shows next spring.
Thanks for the compliment on the frame, yes it is a grey paint with some metallic mixed in, Black basecoat under it, low gloss clear. I absolutely loved the way the frame turned out, and you are exactly right, I chose that color because I wanted it to set off the other colors I was using..
The stock KZ400 weighs in at just under 400 lbs, and I shaved around 75 lbs off the total build, so it feels like a bicycle on steroids...Handling is fantastic.!..
Beleive it or not, its not obnoxiously loud, it is after all only a 400 cc twin motor, but man it sounds awesome with those pipes...!
I guarantee your ears would never bleed and you probably wouldnt ever get Mr Policeman's attention with the pipes, although It does garner lots af head turns and comments everywhere I take it.....again, exactly why I build bikes... ;D
kneedragger
Been Around the Block
Rear -wheel huggers are another name for the inner fenders / splash guards found on many sportbikes for the last 20 years or so. The ORIGINAL 1987 Honda Hurricane (CBR600F) had one; as you can see, it is #14 in this diagram:
http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/Honda/1987/Motorcycles/2060_REAR%20FENDER.gif
Just molded black plastic to keep the goo of the shock area... a popular mod for the Suzuki GS500, most commonly using the hugger from the Suzuki Bandit 400 (1991-1993), though with a little skill and time, just about any hugger can be modded to fit... the 400 Bandit hugger is here, shown as #1 in the drawing:
http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/Suzuki/1991/Motorcycles/2090_49.gif
Since I can't find a parts microfiche for your 77 Z400, I don't know what to call that inner fender I see in front of the back tire; maybe I should have simply called it an inner fender...
OK, I have to confess, I've just stopped myself from posting a LONG rant here about how great your KZ looks; I've deleted it and will keep this discussion civil. In a nutshell, your motorcycle LOOKS like a MOTORCYCLE, and not something some asshat poseur would putt to the local Fairy Queen on... which is only ONE reason why I like it so much. In truth, if it were mine, I'd have to change it to suit ME, and you probably wouldn't like the changes, but don't worry... I can't afford to buy it, and I've been planning to build TWO Z400s for quite a while now, if I can ever get healthy enough to go back to work, that is...
Suffice it to say, someday I hope to have one similar, if not quite as radical as yours (arthritic spine, hips, neck, and knees), and a second one to ride when the first one gets dirty. I would do some things differently than you have, but most of the DTT brethren feel that way about your build, for one reason or another (they don't like the color, they don't want clubmans, whatever...) The bottom line is, you did an incredible job on your KZ, and I'd be proud to build something that cool... here's hoping that someday, I'll have the funds...
Man, if I was within a THOUSAND miles of Lubbock... well, OK, maybe five hundred miles... I'd be trying to hotwire it right now, instead of drooling like an idiot while staring at the photos on the monitor...
If you do modify it over the winter, please remember to update us on your progress... I'm actually worried that you'll sell it before you get the chance to "finish" it, as you've mentioned... Thanks for giving me another target to shoot for... I'd just like to build something CLOSE to the functionality of your KZ4...
http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/Honda/1987/Motorcycles/2060_REAR%20FENDER.gif
Just molded black plastic to keep the goo of the shock area... a popular mod for the Suzuki GS500, most commonly using the hugger from the Suzuki Bandit 400 (1991-1993), though with a little skill and time, just about any hugger can be modded to fit... the 400 Bandit hugger is here, shown as #1 in the drawing:
http://images.powersportsnetwork.com/fiche/images/Suzuki/1991/Motorcycles/2090_49.gif
Since I can't find a parts microfiche for your 77 Z400, I don't know what to call that inner fender I see in front of the back tire; maybe I should have simply called it an inner fender...
OK, I have to confess, I've just stopped myself from posting a LONG rant here about how great your KZ looks; I've deleted it and will keep this discussion civil. In a nutshell, your motorcycle LOOKS like a MOTORCYCLE, and not something some asshat poseur would putt to the local Fairy Queen on... which is only ONE reason why I like it so much. In truth, if it were mine, I'd have to change it to suit ME, and you probably wouldn't like the changes, but don't worry... I can't afford to buy it, and I've been planning to build TWO Z400s for quite a while now, if I can ever get healthy enough to go back to work, that is...
Suffice it to say, someday I hope to have one similar, if not quite as radical as yours (arthritic spine, hips, neck, and knees), and a second one to ride when the first one gets dirty. I would do some things differently than you have, but most of the DTT brethren feel that way about your build, for one reason or another (they don't like the color, they don't want clubmans, whatever...) The bottom line is, you did an incredible job on your KZ, and I'd be proud to build something that cool... here's hoping that someday, I'll have the funds...
Man, if I was within a THOUSAND miles of Lubbock... well, OK, maybe five hundred miles... I'd be trying to hotwire it right now, instead of drooling like an idiot while staring at the photos on the monitor...
If you do modify it over the winter, please remember to update us on your progress... I'm actually worried that you'll sell it before you get the chance to "finish" it, as you've mentioned... Thanks for giving me another target to shoot for... I'd just like to build something CLOSE to the functionality of your KZ4...
billetproofcustoms
Billetproof Customs
kneedragger said:
Ahhh, thats what I thought you were taljing about, its the original inner fender that was on the bike.
Wow, thank you so much for the kind words, its nice to have my work appreciated. In all honesty I do plan on keeping this one to take to hot rof shows, bike shows etc, as a form of "advertising" for my website/shop.
I will most certainly keep everyone posted on the stuff I'm planning to do over the winter, heck, I may even have time to do another.
Anyway, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about my build...Thanks!
By the way, you can see some really good shots of the build on my website...www.billetproofcustoms.com
see ya!
