Testarossa's 78 KZ1000 Fighter Build

Thanks Jake. Its definantly a little easier when you don't have rim locks and a tube, but that back tire was really old and hard. If you have ever tried to remove a tire that has been on for about 10 years then you know what I mean. As for the wheel, I want the polished rim, but I may have to paint the spokes. What that picture doesn't show very well, is how much blue is left in the casting which I couldn't get out without sanding it all down smooth. I'm thinking a charcoal grey metallic or black. I've aways been a fan of Torque Thrust D wheels for cars, so I could sort of achieve that look.

I plan on building my own balance stand with some scrap steel, so I'll need to do that before I post the tutorial. I'll save the front tire for that one. Usually fronts are easier than the really wide, low profile sport bike rears. I'll also show the extra cheap barstool tire balance trick.

I'll also show the extra cheap barstool tire balance trick.

That sounds like something i could use in the Man cave. lol.

Yea Mark,
In your case you'll need one red and one green barstool.:laugh: Did you get the compressor yet?

No , not yet.
Crank?

Not yet. Canada post says 10-12 buisness days in their FAQ.

Nice Josh! I'm clueless about your crank issues though. Thanks for the lathe tutorial, I need to read through it again a little more carefully then try it out.

I'm with jake on the tire changing- there isn't much worse than spending 2 hours wrestling a skinny tire on a skinny rim with 2 rim locks fixing a tube only to find out that you pinched the new tube during installation This is probably the only reason I'm doing my swingarm swap, to get away from those damn tubes! I wish I had a rear wheel and brand new sticky tire I'm jelous Josh!

I have a KZ900 crank en route from Canada thanks to Mark. New Michelins rule! So supple that I didn't even need tools to get either bead over the rim. Well except me, I'm a tool!:dry:

Hey, its the Tools of the world that get shit done, right?

Sometimes I wonder what I would do with all my free time if I didn't have a compulsion to fix everything.

I made a little progress today on the frame braces. I'm actually fairly close to completing all of the braces. Did have one setback today. I added a couple of braces that will need to be removed or modified.





I thought that these braces would do a good job of triangulating the downtubes to the neck. Even went to the trouble of making sure that I could remove the valve cover normally. However, I forgot about checking that I could remove the head. :blush: I'll have to shorten them or section and clearance them or remove them alltogether. Does anyone have any ideas? I even tried removing the bolts from all of the motor mounts, and rocking the motor back. No dice.





At least this worked. I've been meaning to box in the shock mount and reinforce it with some tubes. Mission accomplished.

I also installed the countershaft in the cases so that I could measure how much of an offset sprocket that I will need. Looks like I will need to run a 5/8" offset front sprocket. I could possibly turn the rear hub back 1/8" and use a 1/2" offset front sprocket. If I go with the 5/8" offset then I'll will have to clearance the frame and I guess the cover. However, if I turn the hub, then I'm left with only 1/8" clearance between the chain and tire, and maybe 1/8" clearance between the chain and frame. Is 1/8" enough clearance? Does anyone have advice? BTW I plan on running a new o-ring 530 chain.

when you took the valve cover off did you have the cams in it???
Ive made that mistake....

irishwill wrote:

when you took the valve cover off did you have the cams in it???
Ive made that mistake....

Yeah irishwill, I did have the cams in place, but I didn't take into account how far up I had to lift the head to get it out/in. Measured and cut braces with the motor in place. Checked that I could remove the vavle cover with the cams in. Then removed the motor to tack-in the braces so I didn't F something up with a hot BB. Then went to put the motor in. Cases went in fine. Jugs were cool. Tried to put the head back on...OOOPS!!! No biggie though. Those braces are only tack welded. Live and Learn.