Nelson's KZ1000 Fighter? build

Here's another state it was in a few years ago. I love the drag pipe!

Ok, so just to clarify, you aren't doing anything different, you're just cleaning and painting this time around?

pretty much, but this will be in much more detail and much higher quality. The previous pics are all spray can work done in a piecemeal fashion. I never took the motor out or apart. I basically fabbed one area and then rode it a while, then fabbed something else and rode it a while, and on and on. On close inspection it was never really nice - a good "50 footer" with an amateur look. I was living in apartments with no garage for part of that time and was also riding the bike a lot for transportation.

So now I am tearing it all down to do it right.

I still have a custom solo seat to build and a lot of paint work to do. I used to paint cars so I can do a pretty nice job.

Sorry the pics make it look confusing. Maybe if I started this thread about 9 years ago it would make more sense!

It feels like a new project to me because it's the first total disassembly and I'll be putting the final touches on all the fab work. For example, all the aluminum plates are crude looking and not polished or painted yet. The existing paint is crappy spray can work. The engine is an oily mess with flaking paint, etc.

Are you going to brace the frame while you are at it? I see masking tape in all the usual brace locations. Or is that just a coincidence? I look forward to your build. You have a much better starting place than I did. I would have had a hard time convincing myself to take that bike off the road. Good luck. I'm here to help.

yes the tape is placeholders for bracing. I wanted to make sure I wasn't welding something in where components won't fit.

I figure someday I might be inspired to do the 17" wheels, modern forks etc, so I may as well put in some braces while I have it apart.

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Gigantic improvement! almost indescribably better. however they are a bit longer (1/2" I think) so your seat height is up a tad and the turning is a bit quicker (which I like). I put a steering damper on for safety with the new quicker turning.

can't wait to see how your bike turns out.

keep us posted,
leon

I built a super duty wooden cart on wheels today. Same height as my workbench. I can move the engine onto it easily and take it outside for cleaning, blasting or whatever. NOT how I wanted to spend my time, but it will be a useful tool for working on the frame, wheels and other stuff too.

Looks like u are off to a great start.
what are the rear sets off? u did a nice job on the brackets.

thanks. They are GSXR 600. I'm going to get diff pegs that are a bit less racey looking. maybe with a rubber pad. The Al plates and rearsets will be painted same color as frame, I don't want them to stand out a lot. frame is likely to be charcoal gray metallic, but I haven't decided for sure yet.