Doctorot's '78 KZ1000 build

MajDSaster wrote: Hey Doc, I been wanting to replace the old factory shocks on my '81 LTD-1000 but have not had much luck with finding something. What are the shocks you have on there and where did you get them?
Maj.D.Saster

the shocks are Works Shocks "billet dirt tracker", I had them powder the smaller spring white. They are not inexpensive unfortunately though, as they build the shock for your order, however I felt good buying USA parts and they look awesome, cant wait to try them out!

So I have been working like crazy on my tail piece. After a few attempts and different materials I was finally able to produce this vacuum bagged beauty. Pretty stoked! I'll get some better pictures one i sand the edges down and get it a little more cleaned up. I have now started to think about how im going to mount it. Right now, the when I sit on the tail, 100% of my weight sits directly on the frame, the way i sculpted the seat part it rests directly on the frame rails including the cross brace in the back (the crosshatched oval part) I'm thinking Ill weld some tabs in the frame that it can bolt to, real simple. However the original tail piece had a mount in the back behind the taillight. Should i put one in there? Its going to stay a single, and I don't see any reason that the back would need to be supported, but if i do put weight there the tail flexes a bit.

Nice looking project Doc! (subscribed) Do you have a link for your gun? Did you outgas the cases & covers before you painted them? (just curious) They sure turned out great! Cheers, Doug

Zedone wrote: Nice looking project Doc! (subscribed) Do you have a link for your gun? Did you outgas the cases & covers before you painted them? (just curious) They sure turned out great! Cheers, Doug

Not sure what outgasing is, but I got my gun here Except they were offering some deal when i bought mine so I got a 1.8 nozzle too. I was very impressed with the quality of the gun for how relatively cheap it is. Also the LVLP design gives very little over spray, well, at least compared to my 2.0 HVLP gun which seems to paint everything within a 5 foot radius of where you are spraying.

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KZ250LTD wrote: Nice job on the tailpiece!

+1 Looks great!

Did you decide to go a different way on the handlebars? It looks like you have a new set on there, but I could be wrong...

that turned out sweet!

do you think there is any fear of the tail portion cracking over time if it is not supported? :huh:

leon

clutch wrote:

KZ250LTD wrote: Nice job on the tailpiece!

+1 Looks great!

Did you decide to go a different way on the handlebars? It looks like you have a new set on there, but I could be wrong...

those are the same ones but on correctly now, I just turned them over to see what a lower set of bars would feel like. I am going to change the bars, have an idea cooking...

531blackbanshee wrote: that turned out sweet!

do you think there is any fear of the tail portion cracking over time if it is not supported? :huh:

leon

I am a little worried, so I am scheming on a way to support it, Its in the works as we speak, Ill post some photos when its done.

Today I removed the shift drum and shift shaft and lubed everything with moly grease and reinstalled, also with new high gear shift fork. I still am curious if I should address this problem; I broke part of this bolt off, but it still holds the spring just fine. Should I get a new one machined or not worry about it?

i do not see a problem with using it.

as long as it won't be a constant nagging in the back of your head.

i don't think that you would ever have a problem with it tho.

your bike looks killer with that tail piece on it.real nice.

leon

thanks Leon, I'm just going to try really hard to forget about that bolt holding the spring, and pray that it doesn't come loose when the engine is running.

Here is my solution to a rear mount, I just cut some of the extra out of the middle of the tailpiece where i was going to cut it out anyway and made the ribs. It fits on the bike so well you almost don't need any fasteners at this point, and is very rigid.

A good friend of mine has been slowly putting together a metal shop in Portland. He has invited me down there for a few days for a "fabrication vacation" We are going to try to knock out a most of the fabrication bits that I have envisioned on this bike. I want there to be as little prep as possible so we can get the most done in the time we have. I want to start fitting the tubing and sheet metal for the gussets and braces on the frame. What size tubing/sheet should I buy, and what kind of steel?

Sorry I thought they were powder coated. I read your post too quick (lol). That Gun Kote stuff really seems to work well. I read the PDF file on application of it from their website, good info! Another member on here "Roy" (can't remember his username right now) from Norway used alot of it on his bikes (1000J & ELR) he also used gold Gun Kote on the covers/swingarm/trees ect & some carbon fibre.

Out gassing is a term used in powder coating when you preheat (@ 325 > 350 deg F, for @ 15 min) your part to eliminate contaminants in the aluminum after sandblasting (or whatever your powder coating) to make the powder stick better and have a nice smooth finish. One thing I've learned about powder coating is the aluminum used on the Japan bikes is really powder friendly and of good quality casting, I spoke with several professional powder coaters over on the Powder forums. Keep up the great work Doc.

Cheers, Doug

here is a good supplier and also the right size and type of tube that you need for the frame braces.

www.shapirosupply.com/index.php?main_pag...b5950e15e9e7a255a5a8

you can use some .125 thousandths thick steel for the sheet metal brackets.

chrome moly is probably overkill.

leon