KZ650 resto-mod build thread.

Hey guys, thought I would create a thread to chronicle a build of my KZ650. I initially bought the bike for $500 figured I would clean it up, get it running and put around town with it. Of course this idea didn't last long as my brain began thinking up all kinds of crazy Ideas for this bike. So disassembly began, the plan was to retain the tank frame and engine. Everything else would be updated from an 07 zx6r. I did a lot of research and Im kind of building this as I go. Not sure if I want to do monoshock or duals yet. Anyway on to a few pictures so I don't bore you with my rambling.

Here's the thing when I first picked it up, it was in rough shape and the previous owner spray bombed everything I hate that.

Some disassembly

Pulled all the engine covers off and began to paint and finish them.

That one is done in Hi temp wrinkle black by VHT. Sanded the raised areas off. It's the same for the other side.

I then removed the engine a bitch process by myself, and now I have a bare frame for my imagination to run wild lol.

Began the body work on the tank, not much to actually do. I quite like the look of the "coffin tank" but it looks a little small. well see how it looks when the bike is all together. Still undecided on a color.

A few parts began to roll in my zx6r swingarm and rear wheel.

Fitted the swinger to the frame but I still need to make some type of bushing for the end of the swinger and a spacer so I can retain the original kz swinger bolt.

My front end rolled in I was hopeful I could just buy bearings to fit this front but the stem was so thick it didn't even fit inside the kz neck.

Grinded the weld at the bottom of the original KZ lower triple and pressed out the KZ stem.

Cut the stem off the ZX6r lower triple

You can clearly see the difference in size between the two stems. The KZ is on the left zx6r on the right

This is the lower portion of the original KZ stem that will be pressed into the zx6r lower triple, so I can use original kz bearings.

That's all I have for right now. I will update as I go along, the front end going on will be my first order of business. Then I will move on to frame paint which will be black. Then engine getting painted and going in.

Current situation got the lower triple bored and the KZ stem pressed in. Took the machine shop over a week to get this done

KZ all balls stem mearings on

Also picked up a mini lathe to make small bushings and and things I cant buy off the shelf. Pretty cool little machine

Finally got the forks on

KZ front rim on there temporarily just so I can roll her around. Shes starting to look like a bike again its nice to be able to visualize what its gonna look like.

Looking good. That is the perfect bike to do that with. It makes me sick every time I see someone hack up a nice original.