KZ400 "Dirty Bird" Cafe (Winter mods)
- Thread starter treitz
- Start date
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Ride height looks good. Couple things: You may consider shortening the length of your bars if you have extra space after putting controls and grips on. Also, are you thinking about recovering the seat? The pics made it look super lumpy.
Ride height looks good. Couple things: You may consider shortening the length of your bars if you have extra space after putting controls and grips on. Also, are you thinking about recovering the seat? The pics made it look super lumpy.
treitz
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Alright I need some opinions. In looking at the tail section, unless I am missing something, like a reason for it, I am not sure why the guy that made it has the sides coming down the way they do.
I am wondering if it would follow the lines of the bike and tank better if they "tabs" were cut off? I attached a picture of it how it sits, and a picture of what it would (sort of) look like without them.
How it sits:
Cut down:
Alright I need some opinions. In looking at the tail section, unless I am missing something, like a reason for it, I am not sure why the guy that made it has the sides coming down the way they do.
I am wondering if it would follow the lines of the bike and tank better if they "tabs" were cut off? I attached a picture of it how it sits, and a picture of what it would (sort of) look like without them.
How it sits:
Cut down:
treitz
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Ya maybe. There is a tail light under there, but it's set back about 1 inch so you can't even see it from behind the bike. Really weird. I was going to try to bring it out so that it would be flush.
I will flip it over and take some pics so you can see what I mean.
It is shaped right to be flush, it just might be a little too big so he had to set it back.
66replica said:
Ya maybe. There is a tail light under there, but it's set back about 1 inch so you can't even see it from behind the bike. Really weird. I was going to try to bring it out so that it would be flush.
I will flip it over and take some pics so you can see what I mean.
It is shaped right to be flush, it just might be a little too big so he had to set it back.
treitz
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Was going to put the engine in the frame tonight when I started running into the issues that I was afraid I would run into considering I didn't take the bike apart. The mounting bolts were all wrong. Weird sizes, weird lengths, etc.
Guess I will be making a trip to the hardware store tomorrow.
On a side note I have a question concerning the cables the previous owner chopped off.
One of the cut cables was the starter cable. Found both ends, no worries there.
The other bundle had the oil pressure and neutral switch indicatore wires in it, found both ends, no big deal.
However, within that bundle there were also two identical yellow wires that I believe go from the "AC Generator" to the "regulator". Does it matter which one is which? Since they are identical I am not sure how I am suppose to know which one is which.
Was going to put the engine in the frame tonight when I started running into the issues that I was afraid I would run into considering I didn't take the bike apart. The mounting bolts were all wrong. Weird sizes, weird lengths, etc.
Guess I will be making a trip to the hardware store tomorrow.
On a side note I have a question concerning the cables the previous owner chopped off.
One of the cut cables was the starter cable. Found both ends, no worries there.
The other bundle had the oil pressure and neutral switch indicatore wires in it, found both ends, no big deal.
However, within that bundle there were also two identical yellow wires that I believe go from the "AC Generator" to the "regulator". Does it matter which one is which? Since they are identical I am not sure how I am suppose to know which one is which.
StopBreakingDown
Active Member
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
hey man you can look at mine saturday if you're still unsure by then, most of my bike is still together.
hey man you can look at mine saturday if you're still unsure by then, most of my bike is still together.
treitz
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
ALRIGHT so I finally feel like I am getting somewhere. Got the engine mounted in the frame, picked up some rear pegs and new dust guards at the junk yard.
Couple pics of my buddies XS650 that he just finished. He rode it over in 18 degree weather. Now that's dedication.
ALRIGHT so I finally feel like I am getting somewhere. Got the engine mounted in the frame, picked up some rear pegs and new dust guards at the junk yard.
Couple pics of my buddies XS650 that he just finished. He rode it over in 18 degree weather. Now that's dedication.
kz6fittycent
New Member
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Dude, that is the truth! Lived there for 3 years and started to notice I was losing my grip on modernity (Idaho is like a time warp into the past). There are some really good people up there, though.
Swapmeet Louie said:
Dude, that is the truth! Lived there for 3 years and started to notice I was losing my grip on modernity (Idaho is like a time warp into the past). There are some really good people up there, though.
treitz
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
Got big plans for tonight... Will post pics later.
Hoping to get the wiring at least started, if not finished.
Get some oil in the engine so we can see if the electric starter at least works and the engine turns over and all that good stuff.
Maybe a final mock up with pipes on.
And whatever else we feel like doing!
On a side note, went to my grandfathers for some machining last night and snapped a pic of his lathe. It was his high school graduation present in 1954.
Here is what he builds. Small scale steam locomotives. He has built about 6 of them, 3 steam and 3 electric. He has a track around his backyard that you can ride them on. Every part you see, except for the motorcycle pegs is hand made by him. Pretty amazing stuff.
Got big plans for tonight... Will post pics later.
Hoping to get the wiring at least started, if not finished.
Get some oil in the engine so we can see if the electric starter at least works and the engine turns over and all that good stuff.
Maybe a final mock up with pipes on.
And whatever else we feel like doing!
On a side note, went to my grandfathers for some machining last night and snapped a pic of his lathe. It was his high school graduation present in 1954.
Here is what he builds. Small scale steam locomotives. He has built about 6 of them, 3 steam and 3 electric. He has a track around his backyard that you can ride them on. Every part you see, except for the motorcycle pegs is hand made by him. Pretty amazing stuff.
RedRocket
New Member
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
go with exhaust wrap! Not only can you buy it in black, but it also insulates your exhaust heat which in turn means less hot air moving over your engine.
Roughly- for every foot of exhaust you need about 2 1/2 feet of wrap (2 inch wide)
Email dcc and see what they say also, it's been awhile since i wrapped my exhaust.
go with exhaust wrap! Not only can you buy it in black, but it also insulates your exhaust heat which in turn means less hot air moving over your engine.
Roughly- for every foot of exhaust you need about 2 1/2 feet of wrap (2 inch wide)
Email dcc and see what they say also, it's been awhile since i wrapped my exhaust.
Re: 79 KZ400 Cafe (Project #2)
http://kz400.com/ might be a helpful site, they have the service manuals available and a few people there know about making some power with the kz400/440.
Nice bike though, can't wait to see the bike ridable.
http://kz400.com/ might be a helpful site, they have the service manuals available and a few people there know about making some power with the kz400/440.
Nice bike though, can't wait to see the bike ridable.
