Testarossa's 78 KZ1000 Fighter Build

Yeah, it is pretty thin tubing, isn't it? I didn't plan on scraping it, I am just used to the bike with a lot more cornering clearance. I think that once I get the preload in my suspension right, it will be a little less likely to happen. It squats down under my weight so I'm guessing that I have way too much sag at the moment. Just a guess, since I have yet to try and measure sag yet. The old girl just told me to slow down, that's all.

I did a little work on the left side rearset today. Hopefully it's a little better.









I ventured out of the neighborhood a little today, and actually got the bike up to 5th gear. Probably maxed out at about 55mph. That's generally the speed where my eyes start watering with the visor up. So far so good. These brakes get better every time I pull the lever.

I think that I may drill the footpeg full of holes to aid in traction. I also may steal a straight through baffle out of an old muffler that I have from the ninja. This thing is almost too quiet. It reminds me of the little Nighthawk that we had many years ago.

I like the under cut foot peg tubes Josh. With regard to scraping your header....If you are so inclined, I can whip up a kevlar shield to protect that thin steel
And remember, loud exhausts save lives :laugh:

I somewhat like loud pipes for the aesthetic value only. I don't personally believe that "Loud pipes save lives." Study the Doppler effect for proof of my theory. I have been surprised by numerous loud vehicles approaching from behind of any type on my bicycle which is utterly silent. Any vehicle that is approaching from the rear will sneak up on you. Also, the newer cars have such good sound insulation that you cannot hear anything going on outside the car any more.

I know, it was tounge in cheek. A hardcore harley riders reasoning for running open headers on his mobile oil sieve :laugh:

porchev914 wrote:

I know, it was tounge in cheek. A hardcore harley riders reasoning for running open headers on his mobile oil sieve :laugh:

You know, I know, You know.


I find the best defense is a good offense. I tend to steadily advance through traffic. They know I'm there when they hear my exhaust in their face. I bet that we share this mentality, no? I have been in traffic in LA, and it reminds me of Houston, only more. I don't expect them to see me. I am pleasantly surprised when they do.

Your perception is 100% correct Josh. I can only react to what I see and I don't have eyes in the back of my head. For that reason I ride faster than the prevailing traffic to keep all relevant situations within my field of view. It seems to be the safest way to ride in traffic of any kind.

unless i have Amy on the bike i tend to use cars as stationary markers too...many times i see the car getting ready to left turn in front of me and by uping the speed the see .not hear me....

pegs look 100% tighter...nice work...

Happy day! KawaSanta made a delivery today, and my cold seems to be clearing up. I got some goodies for two Kawasakis today.



I got the chain tensioner, crankcase filter, and the front brake lines installed tonight. Here's what my brake lines looked like before:





And after:





The back line will have to wait until I remove that rearset to make it match the shifter side. I'll probably start on that tomorrow. I don't want to have to bleed that line any extra times.

Oooooooh, pretty stainless lines. At first I thought they were extra long, individually packaged spark plug wires :blink: and I thought "hey, why did Josh only buy three?" :laugh:

porchev914 wrote:

Oooooooh, pretty stainless lines. At first I thought they were extra long, individually packaged spark plug wires :blink: and I thought "hey, why did Josh only buy three?" :laugh:

I tell you what, with the way I have been feeling this week, it is entirely possible that I would have ordered three plug wires. :X Thankfully, I got the 8mm Dyna Wires at the same time that I ordered the ignition set.