KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

'76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build

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24 Jul 2013 16:47 #598095 by NakedFun
Replied by NakedFun on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
Doug,

Thanks for the kind words! I just am choking on the bit to get the wheels fitted. Needing to figure out how to machine the hub now that it assembled. Otherwise I need to offset the front sprocket an additional 3/8" which means HUGE frame notching!

Cory

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900

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24 Jul 2013 19:45 #598119 by StreetfighterKz
Replied by StreetfighterKz on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
Can you mount the wheel flat on a a rotary table mounted on a vertical mill? I know it may not be as easy as chucking up just the hub in a lathe, but its got to be easier than unlacing, lacing and retrue'ing the wheel.

Later, Doug

1978 z1000 Streetfighter
1976 z900 Stripfighter (work in progress)
1983 Gpz750 Resto-Mod
1989 Vmax

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24 Jul 2013 23:05 #598153 by NakedFun
Replied by NakedFun on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
Thought about that, but I don't have a rotary vise.... Ugh...

Cory

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900

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25 Jul 2013 17:39 - 25 Jul 2013 23:24 #598237 by K.D. HART
Replied by K.D. HART on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build

531blackbanshee wrote: here is how sanctuary processes the chain line.










hth,leon


Leon,
Any idea of the depth of the clearance cut and what GA material they are welding back in?

P.S. Are these pics of 2 different frames?
Pic #1 has a welded in rear motor mount I was looking at real close because of how it mounts to the frame.
(What frame is that? It's not like my 74 Z1 900 or 78 LTD1000)
Pic #3 doesn't have this mount.

Also pic #2 has the chain clearance cut higher than pic #3 under the swingarm.
Last edit: 25 Jul 2013 23:24 by K.D. HART.

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25 Jul 2013 18:27 #598248 by 79MKII
Replied by 79MKII on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
I have always wondered if that type of mod weakens the frame at all?

The Kaw List:
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250

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25 Jul 2013 20:47 #598269 by kzz1king
Replied by kzz1king on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
My uneducated guess is side to side could be compromised a bit and vertical would be more rigid. I am curious about it as well.
Wayne

79MKII wrote: I have always wondered if that type of mod weakens the frame at all?


74 Z1 1075, 29 smoothbores, owned and ridden since 1976
Home built KZ1000 turbo setup

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532476...s-budget-turbo-build

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/532489-74-z-makeover

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26 Jul 2013 00:01 #598309 by Nelson
Replied by Nelson on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
That's nice work. Both the build bike and the Sanctuary pics. I love the tensioner you made for the alternator. That's art!

Restoring and customizing a KZ1000. Click here to read about it.
Plated KTM, DR650, KZ1000, Former MC mechanic (eons ago). 40 yrs. of dirt and street.

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26 Jul 2013 10:09 - 26 Jul 2013 10:09 #598363 by 531blackbanshee
Replied by 531blackbanshee on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
sorry i can't answer any questions "for sure" as i have never done this mod,and the pics are from sanctuary.
but,
you can bet they wouldn't be doing the mod if it compromised anything .
every bike they build with modern wheels and tires has this mod.



from my own mind you have created more structure there now.
it is no longer straight runs of tube joined,it is now in effect a bridge.


leon

skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!

billybiltit.blogspot.com/

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0
Attachments:
Last edit: 26 Jul 2013 10:09 by 531blackbanshee.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Bad Kaw, K.D. HART

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31 Jul 2013 22:04 #599328 by NakedFun
Replied by NakedFun on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
Thanks for the pics again Leon. Since I don't want to really disassemble the wheels and cut the hub as I don't have access to a lathe with that much swing...Going to order up a D&G Chassis Bearing Support plate and a custom offset front sprocket. I was thinking about using a rectangular tubing to "box in my notches" and run the chain through them if that much clearance is needed. I believe from my measurements, to correct for the new wheels, I need 3/8" (.375") additional offset. No I also want to correct the factory 12mm offset built into the wheel/swing assembly on the ZRX1200, so I may try to perfectly center up the rear wheel and correct that while I am at it......

Cory

2008 Kawasaki Concours 14
1999 Kawasaki ZRX1100
1976 Kawasaki KZ900

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01 Aug 2013 02:56 #599369 by CruisingRam
Replied by CruisingRam on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build
Back in 2009 I took a welding inspector course for non-destructive testing. Well, we also learned destructive testing :laugh: - I took several samples of Z1 and KZ 1000 frames. Guess what? The metal is crap, and they use seamed tubing. In the pics above, homey strengthened up that area of the frame far, far stronger than it was ever before, just by using modern mild steel. I xrayed all the intact frames, and we did full on electron microscope and spectrometer testing on the bits I cut off.

I could not believe how crappy the metal was, very high silica content, basically pot metal. It does not even come close to making current spec. The genius in engineering for Kawasaki was in the direction they placed the seams (they definitely oriented the tubing in a specific way, on every bike that I tested from 75-80. )and made this metal work.

Don't sweat it man- your frame is now stronger than ever. B)

1975 Z1 B 900- soon to be heavily modded
Pahoa, Hawaii is my new hom
I am working hard to save up the shipping money to get my shop opened here in Hawaii
I hate electrical stuff.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Bad Kaw

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01 Aug 2013 09:29 #599387 by 79MKII
Replied by 79MKII on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build

CruisingRam wrote: Back in 2009 I took a welding inspector course for non-destructive testing. Well, we also learned destructive testing :laugh: - I took several samples of Z1 and KZ 1000 frames. Guess what? The metal is crap, and they use seamed tubing. In the pics above, homey strengthened up that area of the frame far, far stronger than it was ever before, just by using modern mild steel. I xrayed all the intact frames, and we did full on electron microscope and spectrometer testing on the bits I cut off.

I could not believe how crappy the metal was, very high silica content, basically pot metal. It does not even come close to making current spec. The genius in engineering for Kawasaki was in the direction they placed the seams (they definitely oriented the tubing in a specific way, on every bike that I tested from 75-80. )and made this metal work.

Don't sweat it man- your frame is now stronger than ever. B)


That is great information, first hand too. Thanks for sharing!

The Kaw List:
Current: 79 KZ1000 A3 MKII, 78 KZ1000 A2, 78 KZ1000 Z1-R, 78 KZ650 SR, 80 KE175
Former: 03 KLX400SR, 99 ZRX1000, 82 KZ750 LTD, 80 KZ1000 A4 MKII, 80 KZ1000 LTD, 78 KZ1000 A2, 74 H-2 750 Triple, 78 KL250

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01 Aug 2013 09:40 #599389 by CruisingRam
Replied by CruisingRam on topic '76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build

79MKII wrote:

CruisingRam wrote: Back in 2009 I took a welding inspector course for non-destructive testing. Well, we also learned destructive testing :laugh: - I took several samples of Z1 and KZ 1000 frames. Guess what? The metal is crap, and they use seamed tubing. In the pics above, homey strengthened up that area of the frame far, far stronger than it was ever before, just by using modern mild steel. I xrayed all the intact frames, and we did full on electron microscope and spectrometer testing on the bits I cut off.

I could not believe how crappy the metal was, very high silica content, basically pot metal. It does not even come close to making current spec. The genius in engineering for Kawasaki was in the direction they placed the seams (they definitely oriented the tubing in a specific way, on every bike that I tested from 75-80. )and made this metal work.

Don't sweat it man- your frame is now stronger than ever. B)


That is great information, first hand too. Thanks for sharing!


NP- least you now know why these things have such flexy frames stock LOL.

1975 Z1 B 900- soon to be heavily modded
Pahoa, Hawaii is my new hom
I am working hard to save up the shipping money to get my shop opened here in Hawaii
I hate electrical stuff.

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