Kawasaki Z650 Seventies Special

[Bevelheadmhr]

Yes, they were made by my friend to go on my old drag bike. They are a little heavy compared to modern stuff, though lighter than the mag wheels from the 70's and 80's.

Here's a better pic of the bike I took this morning in daylight..

 

[teazer]

Very Nice. Drag race wheels of course are designed to withstand massive force of acceleration but have little or no side loading. Street bikes don't accelerate as hard but have much higher side loads and twisting forces when cornering and applying power. So this pair are probably more than adequate for a muscle bike resto-rod but would be less suitable for a road racer.

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Here's a pic of the other side, when I rolled it outside for the first time today

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Got the seat back, this time upholstered the correct way around.. Also finished painting the front headlight brackets and polished and fitted the foot controls. Will have the pegs hard anodised at some point, not sure if the levers and hangers will be left polished or anodised black too. Next task is to fit the carbs and exhaust, then work out how to mount the BMW R90S replica fairing. Once that's done, will have to tackle the wiring, and send the bodywork off for paint. But first need to decide what the paint colour/scheme will be..

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

With a few more small parts delivered today, I could fit the Mikuni RS34 carbs.. which went on no problem, though I will make a small support bracket to help take their weight, as with no air box, they are only supported by the inlet rubbers.

Next I fitted the exhaust cylinder head studs, again no problem, followed by the 4 down pipes and 4-1 collector, which also went on the bike with no problems..

However, once fitted, it was soon clear I had yet another problem, a big problem.. The exhaust was made to fit a GPz1100B1, same as the engine in my bike. But the rear wheel and swing arm are obviously wider than that of an early 80's B1. However, I didn't expect the difference to be so apparent, as the collector pipe into the silencer is far too close to the swing arm. There's no way the silencer can be fitted. Also the foot controls are in the way too.. though I want to raise them up anyway, so the kickstand clears the gearchange lever.

And things were going so well... sigh..

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

I reluctantly decided that the 4-1 collector of the Delkevic would have to be cut in half and extended by approx 2 inches to allow enough clearance for the silencer. My local welder did the deed, and luckily had an off cut of 2 1/2 inch stainless tubing which was just the right size. I had him fully weld the inner joint but tack weld the outer, that way it will be easy to rejig it if it turns out to be too long or not quite right.

Once I'm happy with the result. I'll take the 4-1 collector to Cam Coat, who can reapply the ceramic
finish.

I may also decide to change the 4-1 outlet, so the silencer is angled up a bit more. Not sure yet. The foot controls are also being raised, by making new hangers.. again.

In the pic the exhaust is hanging down too low as its not being supported..

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Cut the 4-1 collector and had 2 1/2 inch extension welded in, one joint has been fully welded, the other just tack welded. That way its easy to modify it if needed. May also change the angle of the exit pipe, to tilt the silencer up higher, not sure yet. Pic below shows how it will look as is. Will also cut off 40mm from the pipe, to shorten the look of the silencer, as it seems a little long to me.

 

[Rider52]

Well done!

 

[Popeye SXM]

I like it, defiantly worth the effort. It might look even better with a shorter pipe before the silencer. Going to be a great bike , looks great and lots of go!!!

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

I ground off the collector's tack welds today, cut 40mm from the collector and tried to work out how much it needs to be rotated to give the silencer angle I want. The answer is not a lot. But will wait to get the new foot control hanger plates fitted before getting the pipe welded up. Just to check clearances etc. Don't want to do it more than once.

Having second thoughts about the R90S fairing, might have a problem fitting it once the brake and clutch master cylinders are on the bars. I got to see it on the bike outside for the first time today, and it does look a bit too big on the bike.

 

[Calsco985]

I ground off the collector's tack welds today, cut 40mm from the collector and tried to work out how much it needs to be rotated to give the silencer angle I want. The answer is not a lot. But will wait to get the new foot control hanger plates fitted before getting the pipe welded up. Just to check clearances etc. Don't want to do it more than once.

Having second thoughts about the R90S fairing, might have a problem fitting it once the brake and clutch master cylinders are on the bars. I got to see it on the bike outside for the first time today, and it does look a bit too big on the bike.

That is absolutely beautiful,I know what you have been through, heres a pic of my scratch built bike

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Cool, did you make the frame too?

 

[Calsco985]

Cool, did you make the frame too?

Gidday,
yeah made the frame, tank,triple clamps,swingarm pretty much the whole bike except forks,wheels etc which were off a 1990 gsxr1100 from memory, took around 7 yrs to complete, sometimes working full weekends on it then nothing for a month or so. That bloody fuel tank soaked up about a yr of my free time. I’ve got a full photo documentary of the build from start to finish if you’re interested, just send me your email address to calsco985@outlook.com
Love what you done to the Kawa, is it finished yet? I take it you reside in England from the vids, I’m in New Zealand.
Cheers, Grant

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Gidday,
yeah made the frame, tank,triple clamps,swingarm pretty much the whole bike except forks,wheels etc which were off a 1990 gsxr1100 from memory, took around 7 yrs to complete, sometimes working full weekends on it then nothing for a month or so. That bloody fuel tank soaked up about a yr of my free time. I’ve got a full photo documentary of the build from start to finish if you’re interested, just send me your email address to calsco985@outlook.com
Love what you done to the Kawa, is it finished yet? I take it you reside in England from the vids, I’m in New Zealand.
Cheers, Grant

That's a huge amount of work, do you still have the bike?

Its not finished yet, the last pics were taken a couple of days ago. Later today will hopefully collect the new footrest hangers and once I know there are no interference issues with the foot controls and the modified exhaust, will get the latter fully welded. Then a few small jobs to do before the bodywork goes off for paint.. that usually takes months (painters always seems to take 5 times longer than they say). While the bodywork is away, have to tackle the wiring, which I hate, and that's about it. Then of course there will be years of upgrades, improvements etc.. Over this winter will start on the next one.. a Z1000MK2 with a1400cc engine out of my old drag bike...

Yes I'm in the UK, in the North West, between Liverpool and Manchester.

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Fitted the unfinished footrest hangers to check clearance with the exhaust, before the 4-1 collector is welded up for good, while its been shortened by about 30mm. Everything is ok, except the hangers are now much longer, and much more ugly. They need shaping and made to look as small as possible, before they will be hard anodised black.


Bodywork is due to go off for paint next month, so need to crack on and make a start on the wiring, and order the master cylinders for the front brake / clutch.

 

[Calsco985]

Fitted the unfinished footrest hangers to check clearance with the exhaust, before the 4-1 collector is welded up for good, while its been shortened by about 30mm. Everything is ok, except the hangers are now much longer, and much more ugly. They need shaping and made to look as small as possible, before they will be hard anodised black.


Bodywork is due to go off for paint next month, so need to crack on and make a start on the wiring, and order the master cylinders for the front brake / clutch.

Hi there.
what have you got in mind for paint scheme?

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

Prob metallic red with gold / black graphics.. but keep changing my mind

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

The 4-1 collector has been welded up at last, now waiting to get the hanger plates back which are being machined to make them look a bit less of an eyesore.

Drew up a wiring diagram one evening, that done could make a start on the wiring. Fitted the front indicators.. looked at loads online, these seem to work well on the bike. While at the back of the bike, the early Z1 tail lamp and indicators will need a mounting bracket. With the frame and duct tail being widened, the tail lamp looks a bit small now.

Fitted the GPS speedo sensor, under a side panel next to the M-Unit, while on the RHS fitted the rectifier/regulator. That done been slow going making up the various wires and multi pin connectors to match. But at least its a start.

 

[Calsco985]

The 4-1 collector has been welded up at last, now waiting to get the hanger plates back which are being machined to make them look a bit less of an eyesore.

Drew up a wiring diagram one evening, that done could make a start on the wiring. Fitted the front indicators.. looked at loads online, these seem to work well on the bike. While at the back of the bike, the early Z1 tail lamp and indicators will need a mounting bracket. With the frame and duct tail being widened, the tail lamp looks a bit small now.

Fitted the GPS speedo sensor, under a side panel next to the M-Unit, while on the RHS fitted the rectifier/regulator. That done been slow going making up the various wires and multi pin connectors to match. But at least its a start.

That is looking good, real eye candy. Are you going to use all the moto gadget electric gear? It’s something I’ve spent a lot of time researching for my new project, seems to be the way forward, I’m using cognitomoto as well, I’ve had the front triples machined up with a CB900F stem to take a set of cbr600rr usd forks & swingarm. Look forward to the next update.
Cheers, Grant

 

[Bevelheadmhr]

That is looking good, real eye candy. Are you going to use all the moto gadget electric gear? It’s something I’ve spent a lot of time researching for my new project, seems to be the way forward, I’m using cognitomoto as well, I’ve had the front triples machined up with a CB900F stem to take a set of cbr600rr usd forks & swingarm. Look forward to the next update.
Cheers, Grant

The only other Moto Gadget parts I've used is the handlebar switches. I prefer the micro version as they come pre wired, makes things much easier. Good look with your project.