Kz400 Track Bike? Anyone?

Has anyone built up an older KZ for track racing purposes?

I have the opportunity to go racing this year, and I'm tempted to make my KZ400 my little 'track baby' project.

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_ponygal...ail&id=3528&Itemid=6

Changes [from front to back] would have to include:

1) Racing tank, fairing, fenders, seat
2) dual discs up front & race tires
3) progressive shocks
4) aluminum race bars
5) frame additions: engine guard, gusseting
6) engine
---a) High comp pistons? Racing Rods?
---b) shaved head?
---c) competition valve springs & maybe oversized valves
---d) port and polish!!
---e) cut the headers about 9-10" out and mate w/ free- flow aluminum pipes & baffle
---f) Bat-Pac battery replacement
---g) electronic ignition, performance coil & stator
---h) Out with the starter
7) New aluminum swingarm (with monoshock?)
brake light/muffler integrated into tail section
9) I need a spare bike or two

Has anyone gone this far yet? I think I could get it down to about the same weight as a ninja 250...

Should I just get a gently used CBR as was suggested to me?

If your goal is track time get the CBR , preferably one that has been set-up already . Spend your time riding . If you WANT to do a project then do up the KZ . There is a guy on the GPZ550 forums that is doing a KZ400 for vintage racing . There isn't a specific thread for it though , just a mention .

Check out shinzou's kz400 track bike at the kz400.com forum. It's a drool bike....
Shameless plug....: I am working on an ltd sport bike racer thing which is also in a thread over at the kz400 forum. No internal engine mods though

PS: I also have dreams of taking my slug 440 out to the track..... :laugh: