TOPIC:

What's happening with the old black Kerker? I have been keeping my eye open for a decent exhaust..... PM me if you are looking to get rid of it.

Wow superbike bars or clip ons along with some rear sets are exactly what I am looking for. You say you didn't like them? Why? Wrong feel for your personal riding style or was the set up not functioning as you would like?
By the way way some time ago you inspired me with that 18 inch rear wheel so I got a set of gpz wheels that only have 5 spokes... any thought on that in regards to strength?

RaeRae wrote:

This looks alot like my 82 KZ550 LTD, in which I am trying to "cafe" a bit. I really like the rework of your seat that you showed in the photo shopped pict, exactly the kinda thing/idea i've been looking for since i'd like to keep at least some of the rear chrome fender.

Mine had the same stock paint job until recenly when we stripped and repainetd.

RaeB)

Yeah, I am going to revisit the seat soon and see about trimming a bit more off the back. I was shooting for the photoshop picture, but was concerned about keeping a passenger seat. I have other bikes that my wife and I can ride together and it would take about 5 minutes to switch back to the stock seat configuration.

mookieo2 wrote:

I just saw this build.Very nice. I had the exact same idea for the rearsets. Using the stock pieces and modding them.

Thanks for the kind words.
I like your Ducati in your avatar. I recognize your username from ducatimonsterforum.org. I have a Monster too and frequent the other board as well!

(Of course, if I got the wrong guy you tell me to get lost.)

fifthcircle wrote:

What's happening with the old black Kerker? I have been keeping my eye open for a decent exhaust..... PM me if you are looking to get rid of it.

I don't know yet.
I sold 3 exhaust systems I had for the bike last year and now only have a few left (it is a sickness). If I decide to part with it, I'll let you know.

jrjstuff wrote:

Wow superbike bars or clip ons along with some rear sets are exactly what I am looking for.

Whoa!
In my experience, superbike bars and clipons are quite different. The clubmans that I have had and currently have on the bike offer the same riding position as clipons that would be mounted at or just below the top triple clamp. The superbike bars offered much higher rise and pull back than the clubmans. Hopefully the two photos below will explain what I mean.
Superbike bars:

Clubmans:

You say you didn't like them? Why? Wrong feel for your personal riding style or was the set up not functioning as you would like?

Clubmans (or clipons) with the rearsets were exactly what I wanted for the bike. They felt great and offered a lot of control and the riding position that I wanted. The superbike bars with the rearsets made me feel like my feet were way too far back and my torso was straight up in the wind.
For me, clubmans (or clipons) and rearsets or superbike bars with the stock footpegs would be my choice.
Having said all of this, my brother preferred the superbike bars and the rearsets over all other combinations, so it is personal preference.

By the way way some time ago you inspired me with that 18 inch rear wheel so I got a set of gpz wheels that only have 5 spokes... any thought on that in regards to strength?

Nice bike! The GPZ wheels should more than strong enough. The five spokes are much more robust that the nine spoke on the KZs. Keep at it and if you have any other questions, I would be happy to help.

I plan on taking more pictures of the dropped gauges and stuff today and we'll see how quickly I get them posted up.

Here a couple of shots of the lowered headlight and gauges. Earlier in this project I have shots with the headlight and gauges in the stock position. Looking back...what took me so long. Of course, I am not done yet!
From the cockpit (yes, I have a shorter throttle and clutch cable that I haven't put on yet):

From the side:

Awesome, I just saw this exact same model at a gas station in Anamosa, Ia. Pulled in on my KZ1100 and talked to the guy for about half an hour... He added a home made hiway bar with cup holder to his... Chrome fender, headlight etc. Got it for $200 bucks and put a little elbow grease into it... I told him if he wanted to sell it to get ahold of me... He's said he may call at the end of the summer, looking for some 1 lungers.. Hondas....

any updates??

Where do you buy it? Ebay link?

cooper1320 wrote:

any updates??

Not yet. I have been busy with my other motorcycles/track time.
I am starting on the next KZ project for this bike. I think I am going to make a rear cowl to replace the passenger seat (the '80 and '81 has a split front/rear seat). That way I can keep the stock front seat and switch out the rear seat for when I would like to ride with my wife.
Also, I am going to install a set of GPZ750 cams in to the original motor and trim off some more weight.
Planning and plotting...

Philk7 wrote:

Where do you buy it? Ebay link?

Where did I buy what? I would be happy to help.

ohh sorry!

your front master cylinder!

thank!