Track Bike - kz550

[Drewski]

I've never been to a track day where they don't let let you ride to the limit! Just ride in the A group and you should be good.

Yup. If you have the experience, Group "A" is all-out race pace!!

We chose the "medium" group because that's where our friends were riding and there are some inexperienced guys there. "No passing in the corners" is still the rule at that level. All-out in the straights though! ;D I might try "A" next time out. We'll see. ;D

 

[Drewski]

Well, might as well get busy:












Time to see just how 'easy' this transplant is gonna be.

 

[irk miller]

What's the front fender setup? I have a KZ front end on my CB750 and I wonder if I can go with something like that.

 

[Drewski]

What's the front fender setup? I have a KZ front end on my CB750 and I wonder if I can go with something like that.

Well, the wheel is an 18" and the fender is a fibreglass unit for a 19" wheel. It looked stoopid, so I trimmed both ends back until it didn't look quite so stoopid anymore. ;D The fender is riveted to the hoop forkbrace and the brace uses the standard mounting points. Cool, huh?! ;D

 

[irk miller]

Cool, huh?! ;D

Very cool. 8)

 

[Drewski]

Some progress and photo update:












I'm really excited to see this happening! Lots of little things being as well as the Gpz engine being slotted in place. The wiring harness has been stripped down, no unneeded wiring is left. Ignition switch is gone replaced by a toggle switch. Cleaned of the left handlebar as well. So fun! ;D

 

[adventurco]

Looking forward to seeing this come together

 

[Drewski]

Thanks guys! This has been a really fun project! 8)


We got a few more things done last night and have a another photo update:
























So with the bulk of the "heavy lifting" done, we decided to put the bodywork back. You can see one of the brackets made to hold the oil cooler. The instruments and ignition are gone. We'll need to source an electronic tach and we're just going to use a toggle switch for our ignition. Also, you can see the left handlebar is "clean". No switches. Looks weird.

So... left to do list:
- electronic tach
- oil light
- rearsets
- Kerker install bracket
- carb tuning

That's not a complete list, but they're the significant next steps. 8)

 

[canyoncarver]

Looks like a great ride Drewski. Perfect for the track. What about in between sessions? Street legal in the future?

 

[Drewski]

Looks like a great ride Drewski. Perfect for the track. What about in between sessions? Street legal in the future?

Nope, the whole point of a "track only" bike is that it's "track only"! All of the gear and wiring that would be required for the bike to be street legal has gone bye-bye!

She's stripped down to the bare necessities... built for the track!! 8)

 

[Drey6]

Nope, the whole point of a "track only" bike is that it's "track only"! All of the gear and wiring that would be required for the bike to be street legal has gone bye-bye!

She's stripped down to the bare necessities... built for the track!! 8)

That is the best thing I've read in awhile.
Fanatics inspire.

 

[Drewski]

That is the best thing I've read in awhile.
Fanatics inspire.

Truth is, I'm blessed with more than my share of great street bikes. kz1000, h2 and zrx. Adding a streetable 550 to that list would be a sin. ;D

 

[Drey6]

People...
The truth has been spoken.

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

As long as none of them sit to rot from the inside out... under 10 is a good number 8)

 

[Drewski]

People...
The truth has been spoken.

As long as none of them sit to rot from the inside out... under 10 is a good number 8)

There won't be any more. That would be silly. :

 

[Drewski]

O'k, back to the project and the photo update!















Just a prefit/mock-up for today! It should be a pretty simple welding job to get them mounted, then fix the shifter linkage and (the toughest part) create a method to activate the rear drum brake. 8)

Oh ya. The side stand is 'going' soon. Right now it's just holding the shifter in place. ;D

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

May be easier to convert to rear disc, I know there's a Kawi spoke rim with disk for the application... track bike with side stand... Drew my man... that shit has to go yesterday

 

[Tune-A-Fish]

If you want measure the swingarm, I have a steel Kawi EX swinger with all the parts to go disk and a wheel with disk, you could use the disk and measure the rim mount to machine an adapter... just glue some shock mounts up to the swinger and off you go.

 

[Drewski]

May be easier to convert to rear disc, I know there's a Kawi spoke rim with disk for the application... track bike with side stand... Drew my man... that shit has to go yesterday

Ya, I have a '77 kz1000 rear wheel, hub and disc on hand, but I'm going to stick with what I have. I really don't use the rear brake much, especially on the track, so the drum will work just fine.

Side stand 'went' today Sir. ;D

If you want measure the swingarm, I have a steel Kawi EX swinger with all the parts to go disk and a wheel with disk, you could use the disk and measure the rim mount to machine an adapter... just glue some shock mounts up to the swinger and off you go.

I really appreciate the suggestions and the offer Tune! I'm just going to leave it as she is for now. I actually have a whack of GSXR600 suspension parts that 'could' be used... : Nah... I'm gonna leave it as is! ;D

 

[Drewski]

Made more progress on the rear sets. Have a jet kit on the way from Dynojet as well. I'm on a mission to pick up an electronic tach and some K&N filters this weekend at the swap meet in Paris, Ontario. 8)

Boy, this is fun! ;D



I have the Mongrel (h2b) in Paris, Ontario for a Kawasaki Triples Canada event. Looks like a great couple of days. Sunshine and warm. It'll be nice to get some miles (o'k, kilometers!) on the h2 tomorrow and Saturday. 8)

I'll update on my success (or lack there of) at the swap meet.