'78 KZ1000 makeover

Then of course while I was running around between jobs today I stopped by Ye Olde Metal Supply shop and gave them $16 in exchange for 20' of 1.5" .065" wall tubing

This will be the first batch of many such tubes wasted in my attempt to build a custom header for my bike. I don't care if I burn through $200 of tubing (250') before I get it right.....the odds are I'll get lucky at least 1 time, hopefully 4 times :dry:

Now you are getting ambitious! I'll be checking this thread often to see your header progress. Way cool.

Thanks kzmk2, but don't expect especially quick progress on the header. It will be more of a "take a break" project when I get tired of fighting with other issues in the regular build process. On top of that I'll need to collaborate with a few of the members here that have done the research or know these engines so that I don't make a fatal error in design.

Looks like fun. Good luck.

i gotta know(as i have been drooling over a tube roller for sometime)what the harbor frieght part number is (if you would be so kind)and what all tube rollers came with it,and if you would recommend it to someone for home shop use,whew.
tia,
leon

p.s.oh yeah,does that metal supplier ship out?that sounds cheap for dom tubing.

I can get you the part number later Leon, but if you go to harbor freight's web site and search "tubing roller" it will come up. For the most part it's higher quality than your usual Chinese fare. The 3 dies it comes with are 1", 1.5" and 2". There is the expected loose fitment of parts (the rollers have a little too much side to side play), but nothing that can't be shimmed up. For the occasional home user like me, there isn't anything that even comes close to it for the money. As long as you're patient and willing to work with/around the standard h.f. production tolerances, I would recommend it. The tubing is basic e.w. tubing. I wasn't going to spend a bunch of money on material that's just gonna get trashed :laugh:

thanks porchev,
i'll search there site.
how convenient,that is the rollers i would want :laugh: .
make sure and post the pictures of the push bike also.may have to start it's own thread,hehe.
i modded a curb cruiser (back when i was flat trackin quads)and built a back half that would house a 10"x10" douglas spun aluminum wheel with a 10x10x23 american racer tire(same wheel and tire that went on the back of my bashee).all the kids loved it.young and old.

leon

Whoa... nice tool... I saw that in HFT as well and was wondering about the quality....

Please let us know how 1.5" to 3" bends for ya....
Easy, a little at a time, or a PITA...

Thanks in advance,

OMR

kzmk2 wrote:

Now you are getting ambitious! I'll be checking this thread often to see your header progress. Way cool.

And here I (foolishly?) though installing a single sided swingarm was the ambitious part of the build! :laugh:

OMR, Leon, I'll let you know how easy (or hard) it is to bend 1.5" tubing and I'll take lots of pics. Maybe a video demonstration........ I may need to start a different thread for it :ohmy:

Well fellas, turns out my little woman is a keeper. We were talking this afternoon (non bike related) and out of the blue, she says we need to find a good babysitter that can handle our kids, that way in a few months we can take the bike for a sunday ride together. I tried not to laugh at the time frame, it was too great a sentiment to ruin with reality.

Hand her a wrench. Many hands make for ligher work.