Kawasaki ER-5 Cafe Racer

Been messing with Gimp photo editor and given it a colour. A bit of a nod to the old Z1 in brown. What do you think?

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Cheers @Maritime
Quick question time, I can find a KZ400B rim for little money, the spindle size is suitable for the ER and it has a drum brake. Anyone know if it would be suitable to use the hub and lace it up with a 3.5 inch rim and 17” inch spokes to maintain the front/rear geometry?
Id really like the look of spokes as the style has changed so much why not improve the look even further by getting away from mags but I have NO experience with wire wheels!
Can anyone here offer advice?
 
Thanks matey, maybe someone else can advise. I read on here somewhere that the chain run on the KZ400/440LTD was narrower than the bigger bikes so wasn’t sure if the hub would be suitable for me, although the rear tire size in the ER is only a 130 so not exactly wide rubber anyway.
 
Been messing with Gimp photo editor and given it a colour. A bit of a nod to the old Z1 in brown. What do you think?

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That looks OK. What are your plans for numberplate/light?

Had a thought....the subframe gusset you mentioned on cf.net could be cut n shaped to mimic the cone filter profile so it can be seen from the side through the gusset.

Just seen a FB post from JM Customs regarding some wire wheels they had had rebuilt by this rated outfit: Respoke & Bespoke Wheelbuilding
I googled them but no website...that I could find.
 
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I already have a twin led lamp with integrated blinkers and number plate light and numberplate tail tidy although it may seem more streetfighter influenced. Once I have built the undertray from sheet steel I will mount it and see how it works. If it doesn’t suit the bike I’ll look for something else.

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Cheers for the thought. I’m away for 12 days but will be straight back on the case once I arrive home.

I won the KZ400B wheel earlier so that’s another thing I need to investigate. Only £38 but a 17x3.5 rim and spokes are gonna stretch the budget somewhat!
 
I’m not even sure if the ER will run on POD filters, some testimonials say no. I could always rejet it, don’t want to go back to an airbox, they’re ugly as sin!
 
Anyone have a 17x3.5 rim kicking around they wanna sell. I suppose shipping and import tax from the states will kill it?
 
Cheers @Maritime
Quick question time, I can find a KZ400B rim for little money, the spindle size is suitable for the ER and it has a drum brake. Anyone know if it would be suitable to use the hub and lace it up with a 3.5 inch rim and 17” inch spokes to maintain the front/rear geometry?
Id really like the look of spokes as the style has changed so much why not improve the look even further by getting away from mags but I have NO experience with wire wheels!
Can anyone here offer advice?

Yes you can fit a wider 17 inch rim to the hub, the trick is knowing the correct length of spokes needed. I'd pick up the phone and call Central Wheels in Birmingham, they can supply the spokes, nibbles and rims you need, and they'll advise on what length spokes needed too.
 
Just purchased a stage 3 jet kit from 6 Sigma, just $57 shipped to the UK. That’s £46 for us Brits.
Should be suitable for an open can exhaust and pod filters. At least I shouldn’t have to stress about getting rid of the airbox.
 
Got home late on Tuesday so made a start yesterday. Got my caliper from an ABS Versys 650 and had to slim down the carrier a little but it’s on and I didn’t take too much meat off.

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I also ground down the subframe welds and run a little weld on the rear subframe and smoothed out a little after finishing welding my suspension mounts. I also cut off the remains of the old left side subframe assy but still need to smooth it out.

Ive posted a question in the wheels and tyres section if someonehas any advice on a spoked wheel conversion front and rear.

https://www.dotheton.com/index.php?threads/kawasaki-spoked-wheels-advice-wanted.77090/

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