78 KZ650 makeover

Had several harley parts and picked up a Kz650 from cousin in Tulsa. Spent a month putting this together for my son-in-law. Went w/ the Kaw lime green paint to try to keep some kind of Kaw theme. Decided to join the forum because it was a great source of info during the build and want to thank you all for answering most of my questions.

s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh147/GaryW_...current=706cca07.pbw

Running a 51 tooth rear sprocket which gave us a 3.2 gear ratio. I found a 18 tooth front so ended up w/ 2.83 this should help top-end. She was a screamer @3.2!!!:woohoo:

Welcome guu, nice project.

Holy swingarm extension Batman! That thing's not double jointed, is it? I think we need more info here. I haven't seen one done like that before. More pictures if possible. Turned out pretty good.

makeover.....this is the new makeover thread. nice bike. keep us posted.

Does looks a little "articulated " in that one photo. I had those plates cut on a (can't remember the name of it)where a screen or reader follows a diagram and a torch makes the cut. Used it on the swingarm mount and taillight mount. slick machine clean cut lines. Anyway, I removed the center stand and welded the plates to that mount and used the origional swingarm mount and bolt for an upper mount position, then extended back to p/U the Sportster swingarm.
You can see the size of the brackets in this photo a little better.

The frontend is off a 2008 fatboy w/ a 1" axle Couldn't find a 1"speedo drive so got a $14.95 6' cable from J&P and ran rear drive. Speedo is close to dead on, wasn't sure how that was going to work-out but seems good. So guess the KZ speedo is a 2:1
brakes are KZ except for front caliper and went w/ DOT5

seat looks really comfy.

I think its off a Honda Shadow. It locks you in place for sure!! Got it local for $75 wanted a softail seat but didn't want to pay $150+.

40* just did a test run (not very far)so far so good on the sprocket change, 60 at around 6000 (eyes were tearing up). Mileage is for sure gonna be a concern. I will say I sure am impressed w/ the motor it has a 720 kit with cam. After setting for 10 years I did the sea foam trick and the idle seems great now. This is my first "rebuild" and loved it!! If or when I do another I am going to get a lift...this 60 year old body had a couple of sore nights:side:
I was a little off on that swingarm extension and just put on some 13 1/4" shocks and that took care of the ground clearance as well as the chain hitting the swingarm at pivot.
If anybody is interested in frontend parts, rear wheel , tires , t-signals etc. let me know. Everything was in fair to good condition.
Supposed to be decent tomorrow and if time allows I will get the VIN verification and hopefully some tags.

Hey gdub, if you click the "img" link under your picture in photobucket, it will copy the image to your clipboard. Then you can right click and paste the link into your post. This will directly post the picture to your thread.

testarossa wrote:

Hey gdub, if you click the "img" link under your picture in photobucket, it will copy the image to your clipboard. Then you can right click and paste the link into your post. This will directly post the picture to your thread.

Thanks...gotterdun!!