1979 Kawasaki KZ650 C3 "Blue Bessie"
- Thread starter mark13018
- Start date
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
Got my brand new Kerker today. Simply amazing!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D I'm so happy with it. Goes under for more turning capabilities, comes outward more so the swing arm should fit nicely and it just looks amazing. Words just can't describe how good it looks. I also picked up a lower cowl from a vf700 interceptor and mocked it up with zip ties and it also looks very good... More week this.weekend on it and I'm hoping to get the swing arm mounted and set up the shock so I can get some tubing and get the mounts set up for the mono shock and it will only be small things and maintenance things to finish it up... Unfortunately it went from 90 degree days to 60 degree days her in just 24 hours time. So weather is turning to winter fast, but that's what happens in Indiana :-[ oh well
HerrDeacon
Over 1,000 Posts
That Honda chin spoiler looks really good on there, looks like fit is perfect as well. My brother had a Kerker on his KZ1000 way back in the day, awesome exhaust on the KZ.
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
rodos18 said:
$470.00-530.00. Unsure if Kerker/super trap still makes it but JC motors only showed two left and I just bought it a couple days ago.. I researched and I didn't hear much good about the Mac stuff. Didn't like the Vance and Hines.. Loved the Kerker but obviously was the most expensive but also the best quality I read about... If you want a cool look and stick to oem stuff the 1999-2003 zx7 air cooled kaw's have the same exact exhaust and it bolts right on so if you can find a zx7 exhaust that's cool too. I was looking into that but I couldn't find much available. The headers on those zx7's are AMAZING! and don't let the finish discourage you if you find a set, they are stainless steel not chromed steel so they can tarnish or turn brown but should clean up nicely... Google it and check local junk yards and craigslist if you like the look. The oil cooled versions will not work though, the headers are spaced evenly on that model where the air cooled has a slightly larger gap in between headers 2 and 3 which bolts right on to our bikes... Good luck in your search!
rodos18
New Member
That's great info man, thanks! If it'll save me some money... One thing, did you mean the ZR7? I looked up some specs and the ZX7 was water cooled from 99-03, and the headers I found for that didn't look quite right. Nonetheless, my search begins. The exhaust that came with my bike is 4 to 1, but it comes down the left side which I haven't seen before. Could me a Mac or off-brand, not sure, but the cone is pretty well rusted/shot.
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
took the exhaust off to avoid damaging it while working on everything else... I got the seat cut down to were I want it and getting the seat cover done probably this week... Also got the swingarm installed. HEAVY modification to get that thing to fit and a huge pain in the butt. It was well worth it though. Just need some brackets welded on for the mono shock and that will be about it... Here are some pictures of todays progress. 
scrambledpegs
Active Member
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ650 C3 "Blue Bessie"
Yhis thing is wicked. Is that seat going to be for a pillion also or just single? My 2c I think it woukd look even cooler with the seat 4 inches shorter?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Yhis thing is wicked. Is that seat going to be for a pillion also or just single? My 2c I think it woukd look even cooler with the seat 4 inches shorter?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
Thanks for the feedback. I was thinking it would as well. I think I may cut the pan so it ends where the rear cowl dips down... The seat is going to be just like the picture I posted before on this thread on the first page. Originally the plan was to have the rear wider portion go over the metal part of the pan... I am going to have to look it over a bit before I decide to chop the pan. Its not too bad now and The rear cowl is damaged some from the seat pan being bent originally and gouging the crap out of it... We'll see. More work this week.
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
Thanks guys!!
"Modern" tracker was in my original plans what this would be closest to. As far as adding more segments for other "types" of custom bikes, the man behind the curtain has to take care of that.
The problem goes back to the definition and beginning use of the word. It is often debated how the names/types of custom bikes should be applied. The actual original cafe racers, brats, trackers, scramblers, choppers, bobbers, etc. have an original meaning or look that is somewhat or completely different than the modern accepted version... So this one should maybe be called a "modern street tracker"....
"Modern" tracker was in my original plans what this would be closest to. As far as adding more segments for other "types" of custom bikes, the man behind the curtain has to take care of that.
The problem goes back to the definition and beginning use of the word. It is often debated how the names/types of custom bikes should be applied. The actual original cafe racers, brats, trackers, scramblers, choppers, bobbers, etc. have an original meaning or look that is somewhat or completely different than the modern accepted version... So this one should maybe be called a "modern street tracker"....
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
I got my front offset sprocket (3/8" or 9.xxxmm) from PBI today and it is amazing!. Worked perfectly and it lines up the rear really closely. I couldn't go further without hitting the frame with the chain so I need to slightly move the rear sprocket inwards. I'm going to have a local machine shop machine the the hub to move the sprocket in another 4.5mm abd the chain should line up almost perfectly. Maybe +/-0.1mm. Buying new chain and rear sprocket next and that part will be finished. Here are some pics.
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
VonYinzer said:
My original inspiration was this Triumph speed triple knicknamed Westlake Sp by Olivi Motori... I liked the shape of this kz type rear end for this project but I was thinking about leaving the seat like it is. I like the swoop up. Plus it will be lower than in the pictures I currently have because it is on the center stand. I am lowering the rear end due to my height deficiency :
and the rear will "sit" lower but still retain the shape that it currently has... I was tossing back and forth the idea of shortening the length but I mocked it up with some foam and marine vinyl but I didn't really like the shorter length with the tail section.We shall see though. The seat is an easy change. I'm not doing paint and powder coat or anything anytime soon so if I look it over later I can always change the seat.
I don't think any bike is ever "finished".
Here is a pic and two websites of the bike from my original inspiration..
http://www.motographite.com/2011/08/triumph-speed-triple-westlake-spby.html
http://www.bikeexif.com/triumph-triple-speed
mark13018
"In the age of information, ignorance is a choice
Worked on getting the mono shock mounted and the bottom was easy to figure out since there is a brace almost right where I need it to be and I'll just have two welded on tabs from that to the mono shock lower arm... Now for the top, unfortunately, it needs to be almost right in the freaking middle of all of the factory bracing. I have it pretty much where I need it to be, just need to figure out where to put the brackets... :-\
Here's a pic of what it looks like now. The rod bent so it still needs to go towards the rear about 1" and towards the seat 2". The stance looks good though, a little low but I'm too short to make it any taller.
Here's a pic of what it looks like now. The rod bent so it still needs to go towards the rear about 1" and towards the seat 2". The stance looks good though, a little low but I'm too short to make it any taller.
