1980 kz440 USD and monoshock conversion

looking real good. Can't wait to see what you come up with for the seat.

Ok so a bit of time between updates, but I have been working on it. First thing is I decided to build my own tail instead of buying one. Would have been FAR simpler to just buy one, but I wanted something unique.

I built the tail on my tracker bike this way so I decided to do the same thing, first I built the skeleton out of round bar.

Then I started skinning it up with sheet metal. I used 16 gauge again because I can't find any 18 gauge. This stuff is pretty thick and doesn't want to form very well. On the upside it's quite strong.

Overall I'm thrilled with how it came out. Still have the center section to fill on the bottom, but really happy with it. Too much work!

Got a few parts for it, new headlight, tail light turn signals, battery.

Tail light is an led unit for a r1 with sequential turn signals. Free internet cookie to anyone who can guess what the headlight is from. It's from one of my favorite bikes of all time.

A look at it on the bike

I originally was going to just reuse the stock round headlight, but the tail I made was so new age looking it just looked completely out of place, so I went in this direction. For those of you who don't like it, it's my bike

Oh yeah, also got my bearings for the fork conversion

Had to take of picture with me on it to check proportions. I was surprised, I don't dwarf it as much as I thought I would, should be great for my wife.

I'm beyond pleased with how the bike is coming together right now. I'm currently working on the seat area, that will be in the next update. Stay tuned!

Damn nice job forming that 16GA metal!

Hey guys, I know it doesn't seem like much, but I got the seat pan made. Its built from 16ga sheet metal. Lots of labor in it. Just need to get some foam now and start shaping it. The battery will mount under that area at the front of the seat.
I rolled the bike outside because sometimes you just need some outside inspiration.

Lots of gratuitous shots I know, but I'm just so happy with how it's coming out!
Thanks for looking...

Love this build I can't seem to keep my eyes off that tail!!

By the way I believe that headlight is to an 08-12 848 ducati streetfighter (clear in color)

Wow, been awhile since I have had something to post. Been working a lot on the engine. It was pretty nasty from sitting for twelve years. It was actually stuck as well but came free pretty easy. I pulled the top end apart and it didn't look bad at all. Then I tried to clean the lower cases without splitting them, no such luck. So I pulled the engine completely apart and blasted the cases, finally got it all put back together now...

Next I finally did something I've been putting off for far too long. I'm using a Honda tank but I don't want the Honda logos on it. Seems like most people just Bando them up, but usually it starts cracking out badly and I don't want that, so I removed the original mounting points and made some templates and welded them in. Now it just needs a light coat of filler and no more emblems...

Feels good to at least get something done again. Hope to have some more regular updates again. Thanks for looking!

love all the fabrication on this build!

keep up the good work and keep us posted!

leon

Great bends and welding. What pipe bender are you using?

I'm using a bender I built myself using plans from www.gottrikes.com

what swing arm and shock are you using im looking to do a similar build on my 77 kz400 and am trying to get idea of parts for it

Swing arm is stock with a brace I welded on, the shock is from a Buell 1125.

So I'm getting really close now, almost all of the fabrication work is done. A few little things to do here and there, like actually mount the tach

I built some mounts so I could use a Buell 1125 front fender, welded up the exhaust using stainless bends, mounted the front headlight and turn signals, made the battery box mount, not sure if you can see it in these pictures but its mounted under the swing arm pivot. A bunch of other little stuff, but anyway on to the pictures. I'll start with my favorite one first...

Not the best lighting in some of these photos. Anyway getting closer. I'm trying to have the bike ready by mid February but we will see if I can do it.

Let me know what you think so far....

Ooooooohhhhhh man, I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!

Forgive the terrible pictures, but I got my frame/wheels back from the powdercoater today! He did a stellar job, I couldn't be happier. I need to get a pic of the wheels in the sun because they have some metallic in them and they sparkle pretty good. Just about time for reassembly! Let me know watcha think!