KZ650 tail onto a KZ1000a

Well....started this little mod today. First pic is as I got it, along with fit issues.
Width problem was that the seat rubbed part of the tail as it closed. "Fixed" that with a dremel cut off wheel on the tail, and hadda bend the seat pan EVER SO Slightly to allow clearance. Pic 2
Did initial mock-up for fit and to see where undertail mounts would have to be. Those ended up being an inch and change outboard of the stock KZ under mounts. Cut some trusty ol' 1/8" aluminum flat stock, measured and drilled 2 holes and viola`...new mounts! They are angled slightly UPWARDS to keep the top of the 650 tailpiece "level" to the eye. Got some wiggle-room there, so will need 2 helper eyeballs when final fit comes along.
Tricky part will be front mounts under seat. The 650 tail isnt "flat" enuff to just drill holes and use stock mounts, so will most likely 'glass in a "boss" on the underside of the tail and sand to fit where it will mount, THEN drill the holes and mount.
Always liked the up-sweep of the 650 tail, and it hasnt been TOO bad to get on a 1000......YET! Will clean up my cut edges when I know everything else fits. Salt and pepper to taste!

Rats....pics wont post....

Pat, just saw your other post, I was out...let me know if that doesn't work.

Lemme see if I got this straight now.....





Maybe they'll be here after I click "submit".....

That's going to look great! Sometimes I think about painting a primer bike. :laugh: Just looks so good...then I get over it.

ronboskz650sr wrote:

That's going to look great! Sometimes I think about painting a primer bike. :laugh: Just looks so good...then I get over it.

I wonder whether it would be possible to wetsand primer to the point that it could be clearcoated... Of course, you'd have to use a VERY flat clear.

I might have to convince my bodyman friend to try that next time I'm in the garage during painting.

Grrr to duplicate posts. I wish I could delete posts again.

Post edited by: gargantuchet, at: 2005/10/12 21:51

The 650 tail has always been my fave. Looks good so far on yours. Keep us updated.

GargantuChet wrote:
I wonder whether it would be possible to wetsand primer to the point that it could be clearcoated... Of course, you'd have to use a VERY flat clear.
.[/quote]

Yes! You can clear over primer to seal it if it's going to be a driver for a while before you can paint it. If you are in the final primer coat, and it's sanded out, it should all be one color, anyway. When I am ready to paint, my primer looks like a flat grey paint, so I wouldn't hesitate to clear it for a gloss grey finish, except fot one thing. You can sand the paint between the coats for an even better finish, and do less sanding in the clear. That leaves the clear deeper for a deeper gloss, if that's the goal. It might not be on a vintage machine. Million ways to skin this cat. :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

Sorry to highjack the post.

Ron, what type of sanding are you doing between coats? Wet and what grit?

As well, what prep? or how much prep should I do to my Rickman fairing? It's painted white. Just a sanding to give the primer something to hold on to? And again what grit?


Just saw your instructions in your tank post Ron. Thanks for the info. But for a newbe painter, where can I find a good step by step guide to prepping and painting?

Post edited by: rstnick, at: 2005/10/12 22:34

Rob, check your PM. U2u..whatever.

That tail piece does look pretty nifty there my man. Makes it look more aerodynamic/rocket look. I like it!

Peace,
Rodger