I need another project like a hole in the head, but I was offered the basics (very basic) start of a project as part of a swap, and since it was an old Kawasaki inline 4, with a deep breath I took it on board. This will be my 2020 project, though parts may be bought and made in the meantime.
I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to build, those details will have to wait, but what I have is a 1978 Kawasaki Z650 frame, a Z1000 tank and various parts that may or may not end up on the finished bike.
If you've checked out the pic below already, you'll have noticed the frame isn't quite as it left the factory. Its been butchered like some poor animal.
There's a good reason for this butchery, as the frame needs to be widened by about an inch (25mm) to accommodate a GPz1100 motor. Well, I say Gpz1100, but I suspect when we've finished with it it'll be a bigger than 1100cc. It may even get a supercharger, not sure yet. It'll be having better suspension, but not USD forks. As for the wheels, 17inch 3 spoke wheels would be cheap and easy to find, but I prefer 18inch spoked wheels.. pity I don't have any. I'll need to find a suitable pair of hubs first, then I can build and true them myself.
Updates will be slow at first, as I have other bikes to finish, but I hope to have it on the road by the summer of 2020.. famous last words
I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to build, those details will have to wait, but what I have is a 1978 Kawasaki Z650 frame, a Z1000 tank and various parts that may or may not end up on the finished bike.
If you've checked out the pic below already, you'll have noticed the frame isn't quite as it left the factory. Its been butchered like some poor animal.
There's a good reason for this butchery, as the frame needs to be widened by about an inch (25mm) to accommodate a GPz1100 motor. Well, I say Gpz1100, but I suspect when we've finished with it it'll be a bigger than 1100cc. It may even get a supercharger, not sure yet. It'll be having better suspension, but not USD forks. As for the wheels, 17inch 3 spoke wheels would be cheap and easy to find, but I prefer 18inch spoked wheels.. pity I don't have any. I'll need to find a suitable pair of hubs first, then I can build and true them myself.
Updates will be slow at first, as I have other bikes to finish, but I hope to have it on the road by the summer of 2020.. famous last words