78 KZ650 SR Frankenstein Commuter Build

Lower triple, footpeg mounts, kickstand, and rear brake pedal.

Front wheel, almost ready to go get coated.

If you did the blasting your self on the rims and frame what grit did you use?
I ask cause I just bought a abrasive blast unit and I want to do my bike..

wagonmaster69 wrote:

If you did the blasting your self on the rims and frame what grit did you use?
I ask cause I just bought a abrasive blast unit and I want to do my bike..

On the frame I used 30 and 60. The 30 does alright, but for the welds I would recommend using the 60 so as to get all of the smaller spots. Another option is to use the chem stripper to get most of it off and then sandblast afterwards, it will save a lot of time. For my wheels I have only chem stripper and brass brushes. I may do some blasting with a finner grit, but I was hoping to just do the brushes on the rims.

I only have a suction sand blaster. Don't forget to take the sticker off of the front as you don't want to coat over it even if you could.

Lookin' good. Any more progress pics???

Bad Kaw wrote:

Lookin' good. Any more progress pics???

Not yet, but I did finally figure out what colors I am going to paint it, so I am going to get the wheels coated white and the front fender coated Black and clear coat the top triple in a polished look if I can. Still working on the rear wheel clean up and then it all goes into the shop.

I'll take pics this weekend though when I start reassembling it.

The Acewell gauge that I have has a short brace that comes forward from below the gauge body and it has a single mounting hole. It came with a rubber washer/damper for vibration at the mounting point.

Lookin' good so far!!!

Ok, no new pics unfortunately, but I did pick up a hydraulic clutch kit that I am going to look at adapting to my kz. Its off of a GSXR, but considering my tank is a XS eleven, my rear fender is a cb550, my front master cylinder is a zx7r, and my taillight is a cbr1000rr I figure that it fits the general motif of making it work.

Also, been trying to decide on a wheel color. First was clear over aluminum, next was a white rim (ala Ducati Monster), and now I am to black. Some day I may get to Chrome, but I have until Tuesday to decide, then it is off to the powder coaters.

So, thinking a set of black cast wheels, black front fender (chopped a bit), black swingarm and frame, and a red with white strip tank and fender (yeah, I like Ducati's, must be the Italian in me ). Or, a Yellow and grey, or just plain old yellow. So many choices, I am just hoping that it will look like I intended to make it look like it does when I am all done .

Git'r'done.


It's always nice to see someone bringing back one of these bikes. It seems that a lot of people wastefully let them go until one foot (tire?) is in the grave.

Their loss - our gain.

Get 'er on the road and then let's see what you have in mind for performance upgrades.

Just came across this post and this may not be pertinent info anymore, but you can get all your fiberglass supplies from www.uscomposites.com . I've used their epoxy resin and it was top of the line stuff.
Kudos on the bike!!! Looking amazing so far.

Thanks for the link to the composites. I have my first attempt at a seat pan done, though I may be making some changes to it depending on the fit.

Right now the engine works, I just need to get the engine cleaned up, swap out the front sprocket, and hopefully get the hydraulic clutch in, and then install the engine in the frame. Swingarm bearings need to get installed and the parts below, plus the wheels, need to get powder coated.

Other than putting it back together, I just need to get the last of the wiring covered, get the rear light wired up, get the oil pressure gauge installed (still need to find a place to tap into the line). And lastly I need to get the tank, side covers, and rear fender painted. Oh the fun.

Also, here are the tires waiting for the rims to get finished so that they can go on.