TOPIC:

Update!

Got the bike back with hopefully all frame and swingarm mods done. It's now a rolling bike that I can paddle about up and down the street like a big expensive scooter.

So the work done on the latest round is the fromt end is complete and bolted up. Steering lock works, front disk spacers are machined and fitted and headlight brackets are machined and on. It's starting to look like the drawing - a bit.




Disk spacers - machined to follow the shape f the hub flanges - fancy. will be anodized black.



Headlight brackets - will be anodized black.





The ridiculous rear caliper bracket is slowly growing on me. It's still mad chunky but I waited ages for it and if I constantly faff around with everything I'll never be done so it'll do for now. It will also be black so maybe will blend better.




Steering lock - just 2 x M8 bolts precisely placed.


Some other shots.




I may need to do some last minute welding as I want to fit this mini-oil cooler under the seat. It's small enough to fit under there. If it doesn't get too dirty, and the rear wheel could also act as another 'fan' if placed correctly. But as I said, getting the oil lines from the sump to cooler would be tricky and maybe not look so cool.

Unless I went with some fixed / copper oil lines that follow the frame's tubing perfectly inside then switch to hoses once out of sight?

This is it - 6" square with a 4" fan.



Engine is at the shop finally so when I get that back I can start to look into plumbing, wiring and painting stuff.

top notch work!
bike is looking cool as hell .
i like the headlight mounting system.
keep us posted,

leon

Ratch, the bike is coming together nicely. If you do put that oil cooler in front of the rear tire do install some sort of stone guard. I would hate to see the result of a punctured oil cooler in that position. Oily rear plus dry engine and some road rash to boot would really sting.

Yeh it will have some kind of mesh / grille for sure Another thing to weld in!

Do you guys think an oil cooler is worth the hassle?

hei ratch

unless you plan on riding long and hard in VERY hot weather (in england....??? ) wouldnt worry too much about a cooler, specially in that rear location where it will be difficult to get the clean look you are seeking with those long oil lines


road raced 4 seasons a very highly tuned four without a cooler without any problems.

be aware though that your question is bound to start a mega exchange of messages, cooler related threads are second only to "which oil to use" in length.....

turboguzzi wrote: be aware though that your question is bound to start a mega exchange of messages, cooler related threads are second only to "which oil to use" in length.....

Maybe the 3rd most. Are you planning on running pods or keep the airbox? ...dont' answer that!!! haha

Bike's looking great! Can't wait to see it with the full exhaust system mounted!

mtbspeedfreak wrote:

turboguzzi wrote: be aware though that your question is bound to start a mega exchange of messages, cooler related threads are second only to "which oil to use" in length.....

Maybe the 3rd most. Are you planning on running pods or keep the airbox? ...dont' answer that!!! haha

Bike's looking great! Can't wait to see it with the full exhaust system mounted!

yep, pods would beat coolers in popularity...

Stumbling across this thread honestly made me mad. Your bike is the exact idea I had in my mind for my KZ, with some exceptions like stock swingarm, and dirt bike bars. Regardless your work is top notch. Absolutely love the bike, and keep up the good work!

Thanks all.

Regarding oil cooler - I guess it's a no then. Though remember, it will be an 810cc with a mildly tuned head, GOZ cams and Dyno-jetted carbs so it will run hotter - and even the GPZ 750 which this engine comes from used an oil cooler at stock?

Air filters - yes, K&N Air Filter pods ready to go on - but with BS34 CV Carbs. I toiled long and hard and in the end went against slide carbs. I was happier to sacrifice throttle response for smoother throttle and I'm not looking t break BHP records. Plus the road quality and traffic in London is so bad I need all the help I can get.

I know some people say pod filters are troublesome with CV carbs but my engine builder and carb supplier thinks it's fine as long as they're set up probably. To be blunt - I just prefer the look.

you could do something simple if you are so worried:

run without, short circuit the cooler lines, install a head temp gauge and see what happens. crazy temps? you could always add it later (and tell us how many Celsius you dropped )

TG

Where do you install the temp sensor?

Quick colour mock up. All chrome and silver bits blacked out in a combo of matt and gloss black. Big gold fork legs and gunmetal brown tank and side panels - yum.