Hi there, newbie from Arizona checking in with a KZ750

[tobiism]

Hi everybody. Name's Matt. I like to build old bikes and old VW's. Current project is a '78 KZ750 twin that I bought for $40 off of Craigslist. She weighs in at 410lbs wet after everything I've stripped off of her. I still have to convert my rear brake over to the Yamaha R6 disc and caliper and purchase an XS650 front hub so I can run FZR discs and my 4 piston Nissins that i have laying around. I'd like to fit some alloy rims, but who knows when that'll happen. Those stock rear shocks are crap and I'm saving to get some works shocks. The forks are rebuilt with heavier oil and preload spacers. She is a LOT of fun to ride, and actually really fast now that she's soo much lighter. Anyway, enjoy the pics!

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/tobiism/?action=view¤t=c7b3a321.flv
http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a246/tobiism/?action=view¤t=190_9006.flv

 

[Newman]

Nice Job. I like any motorcycle better stripped to it's bare essentials.

 

[locOleoN]

Hey Matt,

Welcome to the board!!.. I love the bike especially in its raw form.
What kind of exhaust are you running?

 

[Ease]

Welcome Matt, that bike looks badass.
Should be a blast with the modern brakes and with all the weight stripped off.

You should keep a photo-log and post it on here for others to see how to do a brake conversion - a popular topic that doesn't seem to get a whole lot of airtime.

 

[Tim]

If you're going to run an XS650 front hub and want alloy rims, look for a 1974+ XS650 front wheel. They came stock with 19" shouldered alloy rims. Rear is 18" alloy as well, and might lace up to your rear hub. Not sure. How many holes on a Kawasaki? XS650's are 36 holers.

Love Arizona - spent 3 months living in Window Rock back in 1992. Drove down to Phoenix to see the Allman Bros. & Blues Traveller play and got a tattoo at the Crawling Squid studio. Pretty fun summer Still planning a return trip, but lots has changed in 15 years making a return trip more 'complicated'.

Maybe I need to ride down solo to make it happen.

 

[tobiism]

Nice Job. I like any motorcycle better stripped to it's bare essentials.

Thanks man, I really love that ride of yours. I've poured over your photobucket album checking it out. Very creative.

 

[tobiism]

Hey Matt,

Welcome to the board!!.. I love the bike especially in its raw form.
What kind of exhaust are you running?

Hi Leon, thanks! That exhaust is a 2 into 1 header that I built out of a VW Bug 1 5/8" merged header that I had laying around. The muffler is a Sportster muffler that I turned around backwards and cut the baffle out of.
It seems to work pretty well!

 

[tobiism]

Welcome Matt, that bike looks badass.
Should be a blast with the modern brakes and with all the weight stripped off.

You should keep a photo-log and post it on here for others to see how to do a brake conversion - a popular topic that doesn't seem to get a whole lot of airtime.

Thanks dude! It's been a lot of fun building this thing so far. I'm limiting my money input into this thing to see just how far some ingenuity and sweat will take it.
When I get started on the brakes I'll do just that.

 

[tobiism]

If you're going to run an XS650 front hub and want alloy rims, look for a 1974+ XS650 front wheel. They came stock with 19" shouldered alloy rims. Rear is 18" alloy as well, and might lace up to your rear hub. Not sure. How many holes on a Kawasaki? XS650's are 36 holers.

Love Arizona - spent 3 months living in Window Rock back in 1992. Drove down to Phoenix to see the Allman Bros. & Blues Traveller play and got a tattoo at the Crawling Squid studio. Pretty fun summer Still planning a return trip, but lots has changed in 15 years making a return trip more 'complicated'.

Maybe I need to ride down solo to make it happen.

Hi, thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the Kwakker runs a 40 hole rim. But, I just need the hub because I'm going to put an 18" hoop on it.
That 650 of yours kicks ass!
Yeah, I love AZ. After my 10 years in the AF overseas, I knew the only place I wanted to move to was Phx.

 

[Fear My Twin]

I love your bike!

It makes me want to load my six shooter, rob a bank, and head for mexico. I dont know why. :-\

 

[78kz]

Welcome Matt.

Nice KZ Cafe!

A fan of all KZs.