1978 KZ650 chop project...

I'm new to your forums... hope this kind of thing is accepted here...

started with this free bike... 9,000 miles, a victim of outside elements. oil change, new plugs and a battery and she fired up...



got it to this point fairly easily... sportster tank, hacked frame, new tires, makeshift seat...



now I'm takin it a step farther...











painted the frame tonight...

I like your work so far. The frame looks cool. I was never a big fan of that style tank but as long as you like it... I can't wait to see the finished product. Keep the pics coming.

Interesting how you are setting the seat up with the mono-shock. My project is hardtailed as well but with a more traditional backbone. Check out my posts, there are pictures. I haven't decided on mid or forward controls. The thing I was worried about with forward controls is having to wrap my legs around the motor. Didn't seem like it would be too comfortable. How is your setup working out? Looks like you used some of the stock equipment to fab the controls. Good to have you on the site. I was starting to get lonely as one of the few hardtail guys.

Kingcobra,

I like the first incarnation you had, looks good. That is a hand shift, right? How did you clutch and shift? Or do you just use the clutch at stops?

thanks guys...

the seat pan is next... makin it out of 1/8 steel and it will bolt to that plate you see. the spring is too stiff (1000 lbs/in) so I'm looking for a softer one. still need to finish wiring and rebuild the leaky carbs.

I use the clutch only when stopping, starting off and downshifting... yes hand shift.

the forwards work very well... watch when you wear shorts as the head gets dam hot. you will burn yourself a few times til you learn to remember that lol...

I used the rear pags and part of the foot brake lever and some misc rod and tube to make my forwards.

here's an update...

Looks killer so far. I think it's more than one more step, it's more like a big jump farther. Keep posting pix.
Mark

painted... sorry for the crap photos... better ones soon.

I am likin' this one! I admire the fact that you are doing the work yourself and that you weren't afraid to get out the sawzall and welder and make it the way you want it! Are you going to build a battery cover or leave it in the open? Myself I would build a forward foot shift for it instead of the hand shift, but I like nailing the throttle a lot too... I am looking forward to seeing the completed bike!

I am likin' this one! I admire the fact that you are doing the work yourself and that you weren't afraid to get out the sawzall and welder and make it the way you want it! Are you going to build a battery cover or leave it in the open? Myself I would build a forward foot shift for it instead of the hand shift, but I like nailing the throttle a lot too... I am looking forward to seeing the completed bike!

new pics...

O.K.it looks great but I have to ask...what's the deal with that funky strut on the rear fender? Kinda takes a lot away from a beautiful bike...

they are going to be painted... will look better then.