TOPIC:

Not quite smooth enough to load more than one pic, so bear with me.

The Clone is going thru some modifications. For years it got "the look" if you know what I mean, and that was cool but I got tired of explaining to people that "no, actually, you don't know what you're looking at". That, and it (embarassingly) had become a trailer queen as I'd resigned it to showing it (don't start with me...I was up to 15 bikes in the garage at the time, and no, most of them didn't run!).
Anyway, long story short: I decided to keep it and that me and the wife would ride and that it'd be comfy but with current suspension. The front end is a ZX7R, soon to have ZX9R forks (if you bastards would quit out-bidding me on eBay, that is!). The top triple was converted by pressing the old school stem in (much more to it, but this story is the short version), drilling holes in the top mount and welding in re-inforcements for the ProTaper bar clamps, the afore mentioned ProTaper (properly) gold annodized bar installed, and now I'm figuring out how to re-mount the stock fairing/light. Next: outboard berring support plate/sprocket, 530 conversion, swingarm, and 5.5" rear ZX7R wheel.

The Honda rear wheel is going on a Honda (CB9/11F project) as it slows the Kawasaki terribly...
The winter plans: wheels painted gold, and numerous parts to be powdercoated black, such as the triples (which were glass bead blasted due to the severe discoloration during the welding of the supports for the ProTaper inserts), the valve cover, and the swingarm that is yet on the bike; the exhaust is going to Oklahoma for the JetHot black treatment, but only after a refit from my machinist...I just can get over how much slop in fit there is with this pipe. There is also a chance that I'll install rear-sets with a very innovative approach to the passenger pegs...we'll see.

I have some "progress as you go" pics at home that I am going to post, but I'm not at my home and someone on this site is poking me to post pics this weekend...they're posted.

I'll post the other pics asap next week...lots of details on some of the progress and problems encountered.

If you feel like it: let me know what ya think!

Post edited by: Bad Kaw, at: 2007/07/20 22:24

Let me see if I can get this pic to load this time...

One more try

Okay, for whatever reason it's not letting me load so sorry...here I go again...

Post edited by: Bad Kaw, at: 2007/07/20 22:32

Oh, and the Ohlins are new, from a guy on the ZRX Owners board...good guy.

If I get to repaint, the stripes are going to get reversed ... they're vinyl at the moment, but they'll be paint. The seat isn't the best reproductions, but it's as good as I could get in Kansas. I picked up a Corbin off eBay last fall...unbelievable deal...and the wife will be there when she feels like getting off her little Hawk GT and getting on the back with me.

Anyway, "good pics" next week...

That is looking great!! I just love that Kawasaki Green. I will be painting my 550 green too. Where did you get the vinyl stripes and how much did they cost? Why are you going to remove them and paint new ones on?

Keep the pics coming:)

Thank you, sir; I appreciate it.

I purchased the bike already "cloned"...but I helped the builder clone it. He hooked up with a painter who used vinyl and 'cut to fit' these and put them on. They're on there, too b/c the side plates had them on and I peeled them off...it took a heat gun and some patience.

The reasons for removing the stripes is personal taste. I want blue on the bottom and white on top and the little gold stripe separating them. My painter says that he can re-paint the thing for a little more than re-striping it...just depends on which way I go, but I think it's going to be a total re-paint...you can't see the three dime-sized dings on the tank...but I can...grrrrr...
I also have another tank that I'm considering modifying the fuel cap on and having it done in the same paint when I re-paint...then I'll see if the flush filler cap look will go with the visual flow or not. The top of the tank has a 'factory looking' decal that I got a vinly graphics store to do for me. When I get home I'll try to put that one up.

-KR

I likey- I likey alot!

Oh I like that a lot! Very nice work. You're going to love the improvement in handling. Keep posting.

That's looking killer. The real ones have the blue stripe on the bottom don't they? I can't wait to see a big green wheel out back, that Hondog wheel throws it off. I went with a flush mount cap on my green 650 set.
Mark

Thanks CruisingRam!

Fossil: LOVE your bike! (don't we all) Anyway, yes I'm looking forward to the suspension difference. This one isn't my first foray into the mix on suspension changes. I did it to my 'J' back in 2000 and I'm in the middle of making it a solo ride (it too was once an ELR clone)...I could talk a loooong time about the mods in progress on it, but, what the suspension changes did to that bike are almost undescribably better, and I'm working on making them even more extreme. Here's a pic.

Mark Wing:

Thanks bro'! The ELRs came in both flavors (blue over white, and white over blue) and I just like the blue on the bottom a whole lot better.
Yes, I noticed the filler cap on your gas tank and I think it just smooooooths the looks of that bike. With the 'J' I'm going for the same flow. Probably going to put a 916 tail on it...this will entail some real surgery on the back end...ah well, that's what welders and friends are for, I guess!
Notice on my 'J' that I did the filler cap, too. Obviously I did it after I painted it as I had to throw some paint back on the tank to protect the bare metal after the welding surgery...but I'll be lovin' on this thing when it all comes together. Got some monster PMs for it, too, and an outboard berring support plate and sprocket...and other plans, but I don't wanna bore everybody.