KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

KZ250 / CSR250 Cafe Build advice needed..

More
29 Mar 2009 10:01 #276369 by kiya
I recently bought a 1982 CSR250 / KZ250 with somewhat low milage and want to turn it into my project bike turning into a cafe style bike.
I've never dealt with modifying a stock bike before, so i'm not familiar with where i should start.

Any tips on the first few things i should replace or mod, and even where to buy the parts/body pieces from?

Here are the current photos of the bike:



Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
29 Mar 2009 10:42 #276379 by KawiConvert
Replied by KawiConvert on topic KZ250 / CSR250 Cafe Build advice needed..
Where do you want to go with it, design wise? The term cafe is thrown at everything from a completely stock bike with clubman handle bars to a bike with gsxr suspension swapped on and custom body work. Very open to interpretation.

For my 0.02 I'd say start with the bars and footpegs that give you the riding position you want and go from there.

1978 KZ650 D1 ~ Carb jetting: 107.5 & 20 & 4th groove with pods and 4-1 Exhaust

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
30 Mar 2009 10:02 #276741 by kiya
I've got straight bars with a slight swoop coming...
Just wondering what i should start on next, start swapping out slightly worn parts for new, things like shocks and such?
Get a new exhaust made that's far shorter and have it taped?

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
30 Mar 2009 10:47 #276756 by timebomb33
Replied by timebomb33 on topic KZ250 / CSR250 Cafe Build advice needed..
go into the 250 gallery section and look for a green kz250 cafe' bike i'm sure you can get ideas from that it is one of the nicest cafe conversions i have ever seen done to a small bike it is impressive

1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
31 Mar 2009 06:10 #276976 by hoopsnakeengineering
Replied by hoopsnakeengineering on topic KZ250 / CSR250 Cafe Build advice needed..
timebomb33 wrote:

go into the 250 gallery section and look for a green kz250 cafe' bike i'm sure you can get ideas from that it is one of the nicest cafe conversions i have ever seen done to a small bike it is impressive


I'm the guy who built and owns that bike. My bike is built from a KZ250a which has a lot in common with your csr but has major differences that are going to make your life hard. The biggest prob with cafeing your bike is the shape of the frame, it is too low through the rear section and would need a lot of work to make it look right plus you'd need a new tank, seat unit, shorter forks etc. What are you trying to achieve? Have you cosidered making a bobber out of it? Flat bars, rigid rear conversion, modify the stock seat and guard and your on the road. Just a thought...

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
31 Mar 2009 06:26 #276982 by KawiConvert
Replied by KawiConvert on topic KZ250 / CSR250 Cafe Build advice needed..
Look for a larger tank, probably a 650 or 900 tank should do. That may push your seat back enough to help with the shape of the frame.

Anything is possible with a welder.

1978 KZ650 D1 ~ Carb jetting: 107.5 & 20 & 4th groove with pods and 4-1 Exhaust

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum

If you like KZR Please consider making a donation. Thank you.

KZRider is free, but not without cost.

Please consider chipping in a few bucks to help cover the cost of running the KZR servers.