Hello from Tennessee! First build: '73 Kawasaki F7

[BenJammin865]

I discovered cafe' racers this year, fell in love with them, and absolutely had to build my own. With money being an issue (broke college senior), I thought it would be best to work with what I have: my dad's old 1973 Kawasaki F7. Dad bought it brand new in '73 and gave it away to an old neighbor when we moved in 1998. We ran into him a few years ago and he offered to give it back. After sitting in a shed for over a decade and some minor tinkering (gas tank rust removed, throttle cable de-kinked) she fired up on the third kick. I plan on replacing the handlebars with either clubmans or drag bars, replacing the stock seat with something more low profile, removing a few inches off the rear of the frame to make the seat shorter, replacing tail light and signals with smaller ones, and repainting and cleaning her up. I know a 175 is a small bike, but that 2 stroke engine is nothing to sneeze at, it has plenty of pep for this bike's intended purpose!

Thoughts and advice are appreciated! I will post more pics and updates as they come.

 

[SONICJK]

Nice man!
Where in tn are you?

 

[BenJammin865]

Thanks dude! I'm east of Knoxville. I've honestly never seen a cafe' style bike around here, so I'm hoping to start a trend haha

 

[Walms]

It'll make a great cafe bike! Plenty of potential with the rotary 2 stroke as well...
I know a guy that is building one for road racing at the moment. Here's the link to his build.

http://triplescanada.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=projects&action=display&thread=7415

 

[mattfeet]

Thanks dude! I'm east of Knoxville. I've honestly never seen a cafe' style bike around here, so I'm hoping to start a trend haha

Do you go to Carson-Newman by chance?

 

[yorkie350]

Welcome aboard mate looks like a clean first project sounds like ya engine aint gonna give ya any trouble 8) now that is a bonus ! look forward to ya build thread n more pics we're a good crowd plenty of ideas n answers :

 

[BenJammin865]

Do you go to Carson-Newman by chance?

No, but I live close to CN though.

 

[BenJammin865]

Welcome aboard mate looks like a clean first project sounds like ya engine aint gonna give ya any trouble 8) now that is a bonus ! look forward to ya build thread n more pics we're a good crowd plenty of ideas n answers :

Thanks man. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[mattfeet]

No, but I live close to CN though.

very cool! I graduated from there in '09. I miss living down there...a lot of good memories.

 

[BenJammin865]

very cool! I graduated from there in '09. I miss living down there...a lot of good memories.

Yeah Jefferson County is a pretty place, but I grew up here so I'm itching bad to leave again (recently moved back from ETSU).

 

[BenJammin865]

It'll make a great cafe bike! Plenty of potential with the rotary 2 stroke as well...
I know a guy that is building one for road racing at the moment. Here's the link to his build.

http://triplescanada.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=projects&action=display&thread=7415

Thanks dude, I'll check it out. I'm planning on ordering black drag bars soon, so everyone get ready!

 

[mattfeet]

Well, to be fair, I don't miss Jeff City itself too much. Knoxville and east TN in general, is what I miss the most.

That said, I did CRUSH some Narita. Very rarely was I sober during that. LOL

-Matt

 

[Speed3]

I'll follow this. I have two of these things (a '73 and a pretty beat '71 for parts) that are sitting around waiting for some inspiration and love. Lemme know if you need any spares.

 

[BenJammin865]

I'll follow this. I have two of these things (a '73 and a pretty beat '71 for parts) that are sitting around waiting for some inspiration and love. Lemme know if you need any spares.

Thanks man, I'll let you know. Are you near east Tennessee?

And to everyone: Sorry it's been so long. Car insurance was due, had to buy expensive textbook, work got slow, etc and I haven't been able to afford anything new for the bike. Well, I just ordered drag bars (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004PQOTHK/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1), bar end mirrors, and grips. I'll post pictures when they get here and I get them installed.

 

[Aries]

Hey, good luck with your build! looks like it will be a fun project to work on!

 

[BenJammin865]

So my bars, grips, and mirrors came in the mail this week. Is it hard to swap the controls from one set of bars to another? I'm entering new territory here.

 

[BenJammin865]

Got the new bars installed. My dog found my new grips and claimed one of them as his own, so I'm holding off on hooking everything up until I replace the chewed up grip. Opinions?

 

[gk45011]

Looks good. Huge improvement from the starting project. I love those tires on there. Gives it a truely agresive look.

Gary

 

[BenJammin865]

Looks good. Huge improvement from the starting project. I love those tires on there. Gives it a truely agresive look.

Gary

Thanks, I like this style of tires but these are about dry rotted, so I'm gonna have to get new ones.

Update: Well I tried cranking it up today after sitting all winter. It fired up on about the 6th or 7th kick and idled for a few seconds....... then it proceeded to electrocute the shit out of me. I think it's because the brake light cable was unhooked and touching the handlebar. Shit wasn't fun, but no pain no gain.