My '76 z900 'Strip-fighter...sorta

i like that battery box and headlight brackets,have you thought about using stainless rod for making that stuff ?since youre using a tig welder on everything you could just buff it all out and wouldnt have to worry about plating.

Pretty much everything on the bike will be powdercoated. I'm not a fan of polished or chromed parts so this bike is going to be anti-shiny.

Later, Doug

Very cool direction you're taking!
-KR

After taking measurements the newer Gsxr750/1000 clamps wouldn't work as they would be too narrow to keep the speedo drive. After looking through eBay I decided that a complete front end would be cheaper in the long run than trying to piece everything together. So I found a '93-'95 Gsxr750 front end setup (ignition switch, fork legs, axle, spacer, bearings, upper and lower clamps for $149.95 plus S/H which would be about what I would have if I pieced it together. So to give a little tease...



I also found a front brake setup from a new seller who obviously hasn't really looked through eBay much. I got these for $5 plus $5 S/H. Not bad, eh?


I've already pressed the steering stem through the lower trees so I can start machining the extra tabs, etc off the lower tree. The upper tree will get the ignition switch mounts machined off and get holes for the TAG risers like I already did to the 600 forks.

Oh and if anyone needs a set of '93-'95 Gsxr750 fork legs I have an extra set. They'll eventually go on eBay if noone wants them.

Later, Doug

NICE buy!!! If I may be so bold: you would have spent a LOT more money piecing it together...I speak from experience (my GS1150ES gixxer suspension conversion is costing me out my ass...shoulda just picked up a complete front clip... ).
Your bike is coming along nicely...keep 'em coming. What are the paint plans?

-KR

Well, I bought the 'Busa rim and the fork legs for $150 so the fork legs cost me $75 then I bought an axle from the salvage yard for $25 and I had a deal to buy a set of 750K2 triples for $40 plus shipping so I'll say $50 so I was looking at $150 and the parts wouldn't have all worked together so I didn't gain/lose money but at least it all works together now.

Bad Kaw wrote:

What are the paint plans?

-KR

The plan since the beginning is all blacked out with gold rims, gold engine cover bolts and other assorted hardware.
I'd like to incorporate some gold ghost flames with "stock" looking gold pinstriping. Or maybe the same scheme but with some medium/dark shade of blue.

I found this pic somewhere and it's almost exactly what I'm shooting for if I go with the black scheme.

Later, Doug

the stance is looking very good.the tail looks as though you were faithful to the stock lines except just extending it.is that true?do you have anymore teaser shots from the side?are you going to pop out some of those tails?wow sorry for all the questions.i do like the tail tho:P .

The tail is as close to the original shape as I could make it. On page 1 it shows the "mold" of the two spliced tail sections compared to the stock tail. The fiberglass tail is roughly 4-5" longer than the factory tail section. If I can get the process of laying the fiberglass I may offer a few up for sale but I'm having a hard enough time getting one to turn out right. The one in the pic is my third attempt.

I don't have any shots from the side unfortunate and I've already pressed the stem from the Gsxr triples so I won't even be able to mock it up again for a while.

Later, Doug

It looks like things are starting to move forward nicely for u Doug.
Just a note about my handling. Since i added the stiffer front and rear, i have notice it handles dif. It turns in better ,due to the 25* of rake. Still not as fast as id like. i will try raising the rear more. Another big change has been the flex in the frame. the bike used to flex softly in the corners, and at every crack in the rd. Now that the front and rear are stiffer, the frame seems to be the week link. As u turn hard the frame seems to flex harshly, rather than the softer feel it had before. I guess that it makes sense, that it will take more of a change in the pavement to flex the frame now, but the flex is harsher.
Just an observation I thought I would pass on. When I strip the frame and repaint , I will add more bracing in front of the seat I think. I’m not sure where its flexing but I think that it might help to stiffen the tubes in that area. Maybe more in the neck as well.

I am glad you guys are finding all this before I get to this point.

Looking thru a thread yesterday i caught where someone had posted pics or pdf's of the japanese racers versions of stiffening the frame on these bikes. Seems thay came to the same consensus as you about the flex, and fixed it. Might be helpful to you if you locate that info....I can't seem to find the thread now....

Doc

Your right .Thats where i'm going with this.as i recall Sanctuary cut and bent a section of tubing, and grafted it under the frame tubes, in front of the seat.they also had 2 tubes running from the front rails to the horrizontal rails,at the neck.These are the only things that have not been done to my frame.So i may as well do them when i repaint.

doug,i understand what you are saying about trying to get one usable one first.i think that there would be enough interest for you to do at least a few,your call tho.i for one would like one for the kz900/1075 prostreet that i have waiting in the wings :evil:.
if you do some more,keep me in mind.
thanks,leon