TOPIC:

redhawk4 wrote: I like the classic looking tires, have some on my 73 Triumph Tiger, Dunlop K70's, but despite the modern rubber I'm not impressed with overall performance, they are really bad at following grooves in the road, one section near my home has a concrete surface with parallel groves running in the direction of travel, first time I rode along there, I thought I was getting a flat in my rear tire as the rear was fishtailing slightly, but unnervingly from side to side. None of my other bikes have a hint of that on the same road, so when it came to tires for my KZ1000 I decided that as the bike was somewhat more modern looking than the Triumph, I would go with modern tires for the improved performance and safety they provide over what came stock on these bikes in the day and even modern replicas thereof, as opposed to being concerned about looks or originality. I went with the Shinko 230 Tourmasters as they are also V rated and fairly heavily built in terms of their load carrying capacity.

If you really like the classic look, take a look at Coker Tire's website they have all sorts of retro looking stuff, there should be plenty of 3.25x 19" about. When I got my KZ650B1 that still had the original 1977 front tire the type that are like the old Avon Speedmasters with the ribs that run all around the tire, that took me back and reminded me of riding on the greasy wet roads of the UK on Japanese tires in the 70's where your rear wheel would start to spin even under fairly gentle acceleration, very scary . Modern tires a truly amazing many times more grip while lasting 2 or 3 times a long.

Most of the FWY's have rain grooves. The ribbed front tire on my new Z1 would have me all over the lane. That was the first thing I changed. Dunlop K 81.
Steve

Steve that would be great. Just rather not clutter up the site so might as well turn this into the project thread, lots of new pictures to load from the last few weeks.

As for your and redhawk4's advice I've gone away from the original plan and following your advisement.

Done.
Steve

Thank you much Steve
So like I've said this is my first bike, and my first project, and much to my surprise I'm really enjoying myself on this thing. Bought the bike for $500 and it was supposed to be running,. Went to pick it up and he was like, "I already winterized it so we can't start it." For the money I wasn't really worried about it, just getting the wife to say ok to finally buying one (been wanting to for a few years) I took it and left. Got it home and man were the carbs gummed up. Got them all cleaned up and adjusted and the bike running well and then it began.
15'000 on the clock

Started out as a pretty clean but neglected LTD

First thing was to play with some color (my truck is the same color so used some plasti dip to see if I liked it)

Next made a seat out of a one piece pan from a 750e I believe not sure if I like it yet







Next was the forks up front lowering an 1" inside and sliding up in the tree as well as painting the front wheel, pretty happy with the way it turned out.





I work at a high school in Texas with a fairly prominent football team and for the first time in 10 years they didn't make it past the second round of playoffs so the last 2 weeks I've been able to get a bunch done, at least paint wise












And as it sat before I left her tonight because my mother in-law got back from shopping with my wife and she is totally against it. (Did I mention we have a baby girl due in March? Explains the mom in-law)

I like your old seat better, A two piece? As long as you like it is all that matters.
Bossie sat under a tree for 15 years. Needed a lot of work. Single parent, no money for a bike. Now it's Grandpa's turn.
I understand how they feel but a man has to have something for himself too. I missed my bike.
Steve

Haven't had my Triumph on the Freeway many times, the tires were OK when I did, but I was on the road I was referring to the other day and I've never seen a surface quite like it here in Utah, the groves must be 3 or 4 inches apart and just go forever.

I must ride my KZ1000 along there just to try it.

I'm not sure that I like the old one better but the one that's on it definitely want be the final seat. I'm pretty lucky my wife wasn't necessarily concerned about the money more of living in Dallas and getting ran over. The way she see's it when I start doing something to my truck or bike she ended up getting a lift on her jeep. She works the system lol

Still think you need the 18" rear. I can't stop looking at mine since I swapped it out, so much nicer than the 16" for my tastes and the bike rides so much nicer as well. I'm also pleased with the look of the smaller rear rotor too, balances the look between front and rear better than the big solid disc on there previously which swamped the 16" rear wheel to the point you couldn't really see the wheel from the right side.

That does look quite a bit better.... Now I'm gonna have to look into doing it when I get it all going. Have a feeling this bike will be like my trucks in the past...... Never quite finished, always needs something new lol

I thought originally that I'd be happy with my bike where it is now, but now I'm changing the LTD tank for the A style that should have been on it, I doubt I'll want to stop there.

I've been adding things for 2 1/2 years. When I think I'm done, somethings worn out.
Steve

The stepped Ltd type seat has a practical purpose in that it helps to keep your butt planted when you hammer the throttle.
The stock 750E shape seems like a good compromise between an Ltd & a typical flat standard type seat.