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Just thought I'd start my build thread on my 80 KZ 650E LTD. It was in decent shape to begin with except the paint is completely faded and the rubber and carbs just needs to be brought back to life.
I'm also going to turn it into a cafe style bike. I'll have more pics to post soon. I've already got most of it torn apart. Carbs are disassembled and soaking with new parts in wait. I went for some UNI pods(yes I know stupid move but my boots were cracking and solid as rocks as well as my air box looks like the PO bashed it with a baseball bat to get it out once before. If I cant get the pods to work I'll find new stock pieces.
I had clubmans on but they hurt my wrists so I went to superbike bars and that's whats on there now. I have a few ideas for paint or lack there of(bare metal look) with some carbon fiber vinyl details along with some white and kawi green accent pinstriping.
It has a 4 into 2 stock exhaust, which says its off a 79 as stamped on it, which I am keeping and wrapping in titanium wrap because they are pitted and rusty.
I'm sure I'll have questions but for now I'm just pluggin along.

Here's a pic of my emblems I've done in green and another pic of my bike from a different angle.

Your much further along than me but nice work. I also opted for super bike bars for comfort. Goid luck.

Thanks but it will all come to a screeching hault very quick as my wife is about 1 week from her due date for our first born. I need more time! haha

what kind of front fairing is that?

I found it on eBay for 80. It's a molded plastic piece that bolts right up to the headlight bolts. I dig it so far.

Wanna get rid of those clip-ons?

They aren't actually clip ons they are those clubman style bars. Got them for $25 on ebay. Not very comfy I'll tell you that. Im 6'3 though so maybe thats partly why.

Anyone have a good tip on how to remove grip cement from the inside of grips so I can reuse them? Or can I just apply more and shove them on my new bars?

So I've had one good day to attack some things. I cleaned prepped and painted the camshaft cover and oil breathers aluminum color. I also got most of my carbs cleaned and rebuilt. Also installed some new cafe bars. I think I like the angle of these much better than the clubmans. Polished up the carb caps too while I was at it. Fingers are raw but it was all worth it.

Also came across pics of my first project I ever did. An 81 Honda CM400. Was a fun little bike
From this, super faded paint and mostly stock.

To this

Nice clean KZ. I wouldn't overdo it, keep those classic lines! Good job on the carb caps.