1981 KZ650 Basket Case

With my two college boys on the cusp of adulthood, I have embraced the differences. The main passion we have in common these days is their mom :laugh: Very impressive young men no doubt, but they don't care much for fishing or mechanics. They do like to passenger ride. Either way, been powerless over the kids since they were crapping diapers, not expecting much more out of them but to pursue their own ways. R

BTW 'TW', looks like your 650 project is progressing along quite nicely. I wish I cld devote enough time to mine to make some mentionable headway on it. I don't have the luxury of a wired and heated shop and am at the mercy of daylight hours. Not to mention crappy weather for the last few weeks. Good luck. Looking forward to more updates..................Mike

I was finally able to get some paint on the tins over the weekend. It turned out pretty good, but always room for improvement. I had an old Buco half helmet, so I painted it to match.

I'm hoping to put it back together in the next day or two, and I'll post a few more pics at that point. After a few more miles, I'll tear it completely apart and start polishing aluminum and paint the frame. Still need to figure out some rear sets too. Always something.

Nice! Love that color. Very similar to what mine will be. Gun metal grey with a touch of ice pearl mixed in to give it that extra pop when in direct sunlight, and topped with satin black accents. Sometime this Spring by Kount's Customs. They already quoted me a price for the 4 body parts plus matching helmet...can't wait! ..............................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

Rockranch wrote: Nice! Love that color. Very similar to what mine will be. Gun metal grey with a touch of ice pearl mixed in to give it that extra pop when in direct sunlight, and topped with satin black accents. Sometime this Spring by Kount's Customs. They already quoted me a price for the 4 body parts plus matching helmet...can't wait! ..............................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

Funny you should mention Kount's Kustoms. That's where I got the idea for the stripes. I saw a Mustang on a recent episode and liked the way Ryan did the hood, so I did something vaguely similar. Kount's is way more intricate, but I do what I can.

twerth wrote:

Rockranch wrote: Nice! Love that color. Very similar to what mine will be. Gun metal grey with a touch of ice pearl mixed in to give it that extra pop when in direct sunlight, and topped with satin black accents. Sometime this Spring by Kount's Customs. They already quoted me a price for the 4 body parts plus matching helmet...can't wait! ..............................Mike

Vroom-vroom!!!

Funny you should mention Kount's Kustoms. That's where I got the idea for the stripes. I saw a Mustang on a recent episode and liked the way Ryan did the hood, so I did something vaguely similar. Kount's is way more intricate, but I do what I can.

Same here. It was one of their episodes a couple seasons ago of a Dodge Charger. It was one of those "I'll know it when I see it" kind of things when trying to decide the perfect paint schemes for a particular project. Nothing fancy, just the primary color and satin black overlays, but awesome result. I'm going to meet with Samantha and Ryan in April to draw up the final details. I'm not steady enough for multicolor paint projects, or I would attempt it on my own. ................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!

I"ll be looking forward to some pics when it's done.

I was in Vegas a couple of years ago for a conference, and I went by Kount's to check it out. Sadly, they were closed by the time I got out of the conference. I did go to Vampd for dinner one night though. It was practically deserted. The bartender (a real cutey) said that was typical for a Wednesday night.

Ya me too. I'm looking at mid-late Summer on completion time, due to saving the money for it. Then my engine build starts! .........................Mike

Here are a few shots partially assembled. Still need to detail the badges and then move it out into the sun.

Nice progress! She looks fast just sitting still. I bet she has plenty of 'get-up-and-go'! Just curious...what exhaust is that? ..................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!

Rockranch wrote: Nice progress! She looks fast just sitting still. I bet she has plenty of 'get-up-and-go'! Just curious...what exhaust is that? ..................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!

The exhaust is definitely aftermarket, but I can't find any markings. I'd like to get a cap for the outlet, but since I don't know who the manufacturer is, I don't know where to look.

twerth wrote:

Rockranch wrote: Nice progress! She looks fast just sitting still. I bet she has plenty of 'get-up-and-go'! Just curious...what exhaust is that? ..................................Mike

Vroom-vroom!

The exhaust is definitely aftermarket, but I can't find any markings. I'd like to get a cap for the outlet, but since I don't know who the manufacturer is, I don't know where to look.

I'm not familiar with that design, but a couple of closer pics and I bet someone on here can tell ya by looking at it...worth a try if you want to know. .................Mike

Vroom-vroom!