'78 KZ1000 makeover

Looks more interesting like that though.

You can't do any offset or out of balance stuff on the bike if it isn't a BMW.

for some reason, Kawi, and most guys seem to just add 1 bar straight across there? thats what the race shop did to mine back in 1980.
i want to add 2 going up to the neck.in front and behind. dont know if it is nec, but it looks very cool to me just the same.

mark1122 wrote:
for some reason, Kawi, and most guys seem to just add 1 bar straight across there? thats what the race shop did to mine back in 1980.

From Tony Foals literature via Josh, via.....YOU MARK

"In front of the engine a large open area has been heavily triangulated, the actual layout of the addition tubes being dictated by the need to avoid the exhaust system and parts of the crankcase, there was not the space to use the pyramid method and all the bracing lay in a flat plane. This mod. was particularly effective, the torsional stiffness of the bare frame being more than doubled."

Adam, you have me rethinking my simple cross brace. I didn't know what would fit when I put mine in. At the time I didn't have an exhaust. I might have to do something similar here.

testarossa wrote:

You can't do any offset or out of balance stuff on the bike if it isn't a BMW.

Yeah, what Josh said BMW and their goofy swingarms with only one side :blink:

porchev914 wrote:

testarossa wrote:

You can't do any offset or out of balance stuff on the bike if it isn't a BMW.

Yeah, what Josh said BMW and their goofy swingarms with only one side :blink:

It's more than just that. Look at their headlights. Heck look at the fairings on that new sportbike. They aren't the same shape on both sides. In retrospect, maybe you should leave it that way. It would help to offest the imbalance form the SSSA.

Hey man, don't start second guessing your bracing on my account, especially as far along as you are. I don't have an exhaust yet, but I used some 1.5" tubing with the engine mocked in place to simulate the primary tube exits. Then I went from there. Incidently, we just celebrated our anniverary on the 26th.

porchev914 wrote:

mark1122 wrote:
for some reason, Kawi, and most guys seem to just add 1 bar straight across there? thats what the race shop did to mine back in 1980.

From Tony Foals literature via Josh, via.....YOU MARK

"In front of the engine a large open area has been heavily triangulated, the actual layout of the addition tubes being dictated by the need to avoid the exhaust system and parts of the crankcase, there was not the space to use the pyramid method and all the bracing lay in a flat plane. This mod. was particularly effective, the torsional stiffness of the bare frame being more than doubled."

Yes that's right. i was just stating what seems to be the norm. i guess it just because no one else has read about Foal's work. Dont be afraid to lighten up on the brace material.it can add up to a lot of unnecessary weight.
Happy anniversary.

"it can add up to a lot of unnecessary weight."...

Even at 2 pounds of total added weight... Unless your truly building this for a drag bike where every ounce truly matters but on a street ride... :blink:

Naw, that engine your building won't even notice that weight...

Hell, you eat lunch and get on your bike, does it notice that Mickey D's burger and fries you just gulfed down... Naw, I don't think so.....

Now more pictures damn it... I need my KZ porn... :evil:

Mark, you are absolutely correct in principle. There is no need to make a 1/2 ton monocoque frame with 30 lbs of bracing, and lighter is better. That said, OMR is right, a couple pounds of bracing material isn't going to make a difference one way or the other. The cross bracing I'm adding to the front of the cradle is at most .5 lbs of material. Its essentially 24" +/- of .065 wall 7/8" tubing. But just so me, and everyone else knows the weight penalty of added bracing, I weighed my bare frame before I began modding it. I'll weight it again when I'm finished, and we'll all see the net gain (or loss)!

Im sure losing the steel swingarm and steel wheel alone will more than compensate for any added bracing weight.youll need the bracing to handle all that torque of the motor and the cornering abilities of the new suspension set up.