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The red is really close the the original Luminous Red that this bike was.

OK, OK, I'll get a new welding helmet! You sold me. I also though that backbone brace was already welded, the fabrication fit is so tight. Again, excellent job on you metal working skills.

Auto Dark FTW. I decided to take some welding classes This quarter at OSU. The My prof is sick nasty at welding. He did all of the welding on the Buckeye bullet. I used a standard mask for a week until i bought my own and it is a world of difference. When learning it made one less thing for me to have to worry about. I got a 3M speedGlass it rocks. Welds look good can't wait till spring when i can get working on my bike again.

porchev914 wrote:

OK, OK, I'll get a new welding helmet! You sold me. I also though that backbone brace was already welded, the fabrication fit is so tight. Again, excellent job on you metal working skills.

Adam you were right, the backbone brace is welded. The tube that I'm talking about is the lower one in between the two downtubes.

Sorry, that I have no new progress pics, but I have been busy on other projects this week. This afternoon, the weather was soo nice here in Houston that I decided to wheel out the black bike and go for a quick ride. Apologies, to those who live in Canada and other regions beset with snow at this time.

Here's a pic of my most beastly Kawasaki



And one of my son with the bike



He got off the bus just as I was pulling in, and made me take him for a ride. Darn, another ride, already, OK twist my arm.

I see it now, the down tube brace in the front, silly me And nothing wrong taking a break to go for a ride, especially with your son!

February rides are the payoff for the summer in Houston. Can you say steamy?

So whats next for your project ?

Finish tacking in the last of the frame braces, figure out the chainline and front sprocket offset. Then I need to sort out the footpegs. After that I'll strip it down and finish weld everything. Then I'll start work on the motor, rebuilding my front fork and rear shock. After that it's bodywork and paint. Oh yeah, somewhere in there I'm gonna fab-up a really trick, concealed luggage mount system. I tried a post about that earlier on, but only got one response. I bet I get more after its done.

Any preliminary plans for the footpegs? I'm interested in your concealed luggage compartment, That sounds very interesting. You'll have my attention at the part where you figure out your chainline and offset needs. I was also wondering if you have checked your front/rear wheel aligment yet? I've read in these forums where it isn't critical that the wheels be perfectly aligned, as some factory bikes have a centerline offset.

As for the footpegs, I pinched the GSXR rearsets and passenger peg mounts, but I'm not sure that I care for the look. I'm definantly going to chuck the stockers, so if the gixxer units don't do it, then I'll be off to the wreckers to locate something that will work. I also have tentative plans with the programmer at our shop to make some new rearsets for the zx-10r, so I may adapt a set of those for the KZ.

I just need to talk myself into ordering a new chain and rear sprocket so that I can suss out my chainline. OMR I think that I need that well timed kick in the ass about know.

I haven't checked the wheel alignment yet. I'd bet that the average rider wouldn't notice a centerline offset. Valentio Rossi, Casey Stoner, et al probably would and I'd bet that they may use it as part of the setup on a track that has more lefts or more rights. An offset will affect the lean angle vs. slip angle, but unless it is significant most will not notice the change. At any rate, I will check it and report back with my findings. As you can see, I don't have my brake rotors or any spacers installed at the moment, so my wheels have quite a bit of free play on the axles.

Finally, the luggage rack. At the moment, the plan is quite nebulous, but I would like for it to be a three peice modular system. First will be a typical rear luggage rack that sits above the tail piece. It will mount on the inside of the frame under the plastic tail. This rack will have mounts for pannier style frames on both sides of the rear tire. All mounting will locate off of pins with minimum tools needed for installation/removal. The final and most important consideration will be total concealment of all mounting locations. I wan't to be able to carry enough gear for a week long trip, get where I'm going, drop the bags with one crescent wrench, and ride my super-custom street fighter without anyone knowing about the Clark Kent/Superman act.

Thats cool Josh, I like now you see it, now you don't luggage system. That sounds like a project in itself! If the wrecker isn't too far away, for a few bucks you could pick up a used chain and sprocket for the time being. Or you could pony up and buy the parts you're going to need anyway.

"I just need to talk myself into ordering a new chain and rear sprocket so that I can suss out my chainline. OMR I think that I need that well timed kick in the ass about know."


Size 10 coming at you.... Are you freaking being a dumbass... Chain $90-$130 pending OEM 630 O-ring or ZZZ530, new rear sprocket $30-50... New counter non offset $30, offset $90... <$300 for all new components, only way to go...

All in all, for everyhting you've been through in this project, you want to install a USED chain and sprocket???

Here's a hint/tip... LOOK AT YOUR OWN IMAGE, SEE THAT LITTLE GUY WHO'S WEARING THE HELMET WAITING FOR A RIDE WITH HIS DAD... He's counting on you to come home on that bike brother so don't go cheap now, spoend the little extra cash and ride SAFE!!!...

WTF, no way in the used setup for you have no idea of knowing the history of that chain... That sonsabitch breaks on you you are puckied, end of story say good night for you ass is going over the bars and down...

Seriously, go new here...

Dave