1977 KZ1000 Restomod

Dont quote me on this but with the higher compression pistons you will be struggling to kick start from cold, a smaller Lithium-Iron Battery that can be tucked away somewhere could save your life on a cold start one day.

Thanks. I wondered if this might normally be the case but hadn't given a thought to the higher compression!
I'll probably keep the electrics as is and leave the side covers on. I was contemplating an open cafe racer look (to show off the pods ) but with the ducktail it will probably look better with the side covers left on. I could put a Lithium-Ion battery in a shallow tray under the seat though... decisions, decisions
I am thinking of shortening the tail the same amount as this build:


Source: www.kraftrad-kasberger.com

Once again don't take this a gospel but that looks to me if that swing arm is about 10 to 15 cm longer than stock and the tail section has been shortened and not the sub frame , plus the absence of a stock tail light also helps with the shorter tail You could still get this look without cutting the rear of the frame.

The rear of my bike is extended out about the same and the red line is roughly where the frame ends, imagine the tail shortened and a modified seat, this will preserve the strength of your frame by keeping it uncut.

I’m far from the expert here but the general knowledge I’ve gathered by reading, is, you can help reduce compression at startup by incearsing duration of the cam. I’d consult with a few cam manufacturers and present your intent and get their suggestions and then make a decision.

kzstreetfighter71 wrote: The rear of my bike is extended out about the same and the red line is roughly where the frame ends, imagine the tail shortened and a modified seat, this will preserve the strength of your frame by keeping it uncut.

Thanks. I'm not worried about shortening the frame though as it will be a second frame that I am getting with the bike that has already been attacked at the back end. I'll also be getting the frame braced so strength shouldn't be a problem.
The main factor for the length of the tail section is German bureaucracy - the license plate cannot be more than 30° from vertical. Unless I go for a side mounted plate I'll need to go back as far as the picture I posted. As soon as I have everything in the garage I'll see where the limit is and mock up a few options.

Out of interest, did you chop off the rear indicator mounts?

calum wrote:

kzstreetfighter71 wrote: The rear of my bike is extended out about the same and the red line is roughly where the frame ends, imagine the tail shortened and a modified seat, this will preserve the strength of your frame by keeping it uncut.

Thanks. I'm not worried about shortening the frame though as it will be a second frame that I am getting with the bike that has already been attacked at the back end. I'll also be getting the frame braced so strength shouldn't be a problem.
The main factor for the length of the tail section is German bureaucracy - the license plate cannot be more than 30° from vertical. Unless I go for a side mounted plate I'll need to go back as far as the picture I posted. As soon as I have everything in the garage I'll see where the limit is and mock up a few options.

Out of interest, did you chop off the rear indicator mounts?

No they were gone when i got the bike along with the passenger peg bracket and shocks. Previous owner had "bobbered" it. That term makes me shudder, even though i own a stripped down 71 shovelhead. The shock mounts have been repurposed for now as the indicator mounts. You will have to shorten your tail cowl regardless, i have an old one off her previous form thats all ready been butchered if you want one to mess around with with out ruining the one you have.

kzstreetfighter71 wrote: Previous owner had "bobbered" it. That term makes me shudder, even though i own a stripped down 71 shovelhead.

Know what you mean I was pretty happy that I could get a second, pre-butchered frame to mess around with. With all the work and money going into this it really has to be exactly what I want - which at the moment is a single seater but keeping the general KZ1000 style (which is why I will probably end up keeping the side covers). Now I can do what I want without cutting into a perfectly good frame and have the added bonus of having an unmolested frame in storage for when I grow up :dry:

kzstreetfighter71 wrote: i have an old one off her previous form thats all ready been butchered if you want one to mess around with with out ruining the one you have.

Thanks, that would be sweet. I'll send you a PM.

Ill take a few photos tomorrow, its junk to me but if your going the whole single seat direction it will be a good starting basis, dont want anything for it, just what it costs in the post.

calum wrote:
A couple of things I'm not sure on:
- I'd like to do away with the battery and just use the kick-starter. I've read that this works with the Tarozzi rear-sets but I'm not sure how practical it will be. Are these things a pig to kickstart?

I had to extensively modify my Tarrozi rearsets to be compatible with the kickstart. the pedal and peg will get in the way.

to reiterate what DOHC said - the higher compression pistons wont raise the dynamic compression when you add a long duration cam, most engines like to operate in a relatively small dynamic compression range. kick-starting a 12/1 piston with a long duration cam will be similar to kickstarting a 10/1 piston with a short duration cam as they likely will have very similar cranking compression.

Started some fundraising for this project today. Bought my first German bike - a 2000 BMW F650GS. This will be my commuter bike and the Hornet is up for sale. Got the BMW cheap from the neighbour so I should make a few grand on the deal.

Will be getting forks, triple clamp, clip-ons, swingarm to start off with so I can get the riding position sorted. Will probably get the wheels done too (maybe not the tires - no point in having them sit around for ages).

Getting a bit impatient, but have enough to do until I pick up the bike in a few weeks.

Sorry been a long day and nearly forgot about sending those photos. See below, main thing is the shell is in good shape. There is about 30 coats of paint and the inside has been gutted out from the previous owner but if you making a shortened single seat this will be better than chopping the nice one you have.