Project first motorcycle kz900 whatchamacallit

Ok, finally got a second to internet for bike stuff other than ebay. Anyways, sold the bent up ghetto rider wheels and got some stock ones. Waited forever and bid on probably 70 wheels, but got the rear for $11.50 with cush, rotor and such and front for $20.50. I'm so patient I suppose or so broke or both. Well. Finally got it back on wheels again after it sat on the floor for months. RD's both run now and are being kept. Been too cold and too busy working on cars to mess with the KZ lately, but have a set of clipons coming from a buddy and I think I'm about ready to get back to work on it. I gotta rebuild the carbs and work out the chain shit next. I got a 02 GSXR gas tank and am considering working that filler/cap into the KZ tank. Plus that would allow me to get the big as dent out of the KZ tank when I got a big hole in the top. We'll see. I may end up with something pretty cool or end up with 2 scrap tanks and a new one for the KZ. We'll see and I'll post pics for sure either way for people to admire or die laughing at. Here's some pics for allowing me to continue my random posts and disappearing acts. I'm still alive. Project will run one day. time and money permitting.

something like this.

Oh yeah...or this (please ignore crappy paint-for-protection):

Yep. Something like those. I got 2 tanks to pick from at the shop as far as donor tanks go. I just need some time. Bike has handle bars now. I was able to get on it and push myself to another part of the shop with a good bit more leverage than using the forks alone. I have some seat stuff, sprockets and chain things and a few others coming so hopefully I can get the body portion together and finished. Then I guess I gotta rebuild the carbs and cable the thing up and run some wires to see if the motor is even good. It has some sort of electronic ignition under the points cover and a bunch of other stuff which looks to be rigged in. I'm probably learning more than I should about these things due to having to figure out and re-do everything there is but I seem to be enjoying it so far. I'm trying to somewhat focus on just getting it together and just ride the thing this summer and hopefully like it so much I feel the need to completely detail it during the cold months. Most people that come in the shop have no clue what it is and look at me funny when I talk about it or like it. I have pics with bars on it but figured that to be not much progress so I haven't even hosted them. I'll hopefully get something done. I lost my header holder inner thingies that go in the flanges so I can't put that on. I need to shorten the side stand too. The thing sits straight up and down. But, if you lean it over it sits on the clutch cover with the tires still on the ground. I may put a pad on under it and just park it like that.

Alright, Got some stuff done. Shortened kickstand so bike doesn't sit straight up on it. Changed plans on the tank. The plan of swapping the fuel fill kinda got scrapped when I took all the paint off the tank and realized that there used to be a spot where side emblems would go covered in body filler. After getting all the paint off, I'm not sure why, but I decided to make the tank all stock and to possibly do a factory paintjob of at least factory style on all the bodywork. I know I'm not doing an OEM restoration, but I like they funky colors from the 60's and 70's. The big dent, I assume someone punched it because I can make out knuckle dents in the dent. Well I guess this bike needs someone to take care of it and it seems to tell me what to do in its own way. I'm liking this project. It sort of builds itself. I keep thinking about turbos for some reason but I have to learn to ride, not learn to die. Baby steps. Probably because I'm surrounded by turbocharged cars and turbos. Everywhere I look, I see one. Made bracket for the steering damper. Got a ZRX seat coming in so I can make that fit and figure out the tail at the same time. Need headlight on it quick so it doesn't look so stupid. Pics soon when it's not 2:30AM and I gotta get up at 8. SOrry. WIll take some and upload something so you can stop reading my half assed updates. I am super happy though I got to work on it though!!!!! Love that thing!!! Sleep now.

Thats great Ray. glad to here your so into this old bike.

Not sure if the tabs for the side emblems are completely there. I've never seen a tank without the emblems and not full of filler. Steering damper thing makes a big difference in how it feels. Sitting there at least.

Bought another couple of bikes today. Got some Suzuki GT750 basket case goodness to throw in a corner of the shop until a later date. This motorcycle thing is addictive. I can't stop buying stuff and selling stuff.

mark1122 wrote:

Thats great Ray. glad to here your so into this old bike.

Thanks Mark. Had to copy you on your seat!! Can't wait for it to get here so I can get the tail on there. I do appreciate your time and advice on my project. I got the bike in a better area now and can work on it at will. Still not near the TIG machine so got some ugly mig welds on it again for the steering damper. At least it's not dangling there anymore. One step closer.

yo ray,killer progress.it's hard to tell this is your first kz you are taking to it like a duck to water.i really like the stance looks like you nay need to go the sidewinder route on a header for ground clearance.if thats what you decide check out schnitz racing they gottem cheap as i've seen em anywhere.
i really like the stock paint desings with updated colors(or orig colors)kinda like these.

or this,ignore the kicked up ducktails that seems to be a european thing.

LOOK! You wanna stop with the eye-porn already...or provide tissues. That bronze thing is IT, man! *ghuh!*
-KR