1981 KZ1000 LTD - Board Track Bobber Project

Edit: A list of parts I don't need anymore can be found here

This is my first bike and first build ever. My goal is to create a modern interpretation of the board track racer based upon an... inline 4, KZ1000. Can it be done? Who knows, but I want to try and I think this puppy will be bad ass once I'm done. Current progress:

I found a complete and working 1981 KZ1000 LTD on craigslist. The only problem was that the previous owner had decided to take the entire bike completely apart and was just about rebuild it as a bobber project with his son until his son got into a truck accident. They abandoned the project and I now own a KZ. This is what it looked like right after I picked it up
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/1-3.jpg [/img]

Another angle
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/2-4.jpg [/img]

i need to find one in a box good find and cant wait to see the progress

After about 2 hours of assembly with no help and the sky getting dark, finally got something a little bit more together:
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/3-4.jpg [/img]

Another angle. Twisted down the stock bars to see what drags may look like...
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/4-4.jpg [/img]

Planning on getting 23" 40 to 60 spoke wheels...
[img size=250x301] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/5-4.jpg [/img]

But these can get kind of pricey...
[img size=600x464] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/6-3.jpg [/img]

Decided to forgo the choice of getting a friend's local shop to weld a hardtail, and spend a little bit more and get a completely custom one from Chasis Design Company out in Raverside. First thing was to drain and unmount the ridiculously heavy engine.
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/8-3.jpg [/img]

My friend's blue chrome helmet he got on eBay for $20
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/7-3.jpg [/img]

Took off a couple engine covers to attempt to clean up some scratches most likely caused by a drop from the previous owner. Before pic:
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/9-1.jpg [/img]

After some dremmeling, sanding and polishing:
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/10-1.jpg [/img]

It took Anthony from Chassis Design Co less than one week to mock up the frame for me. He's super cool and pretty well known in the industry. Here's one shot from behind. Went with a drop seat (makes no difference riding stance but I'm planning on putting a thin leaf spring under the seat to give the impression that its floating)
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/11-1.jpg [/img]

Now time to weld.

While waiting for the welding, I dropped by Yoshi's Garage in LA and found the tank I'm going to use as well as a really really sexy bonneville from NY.
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/12-1.jpg [/img]

The tank is a custom pre 1974 Triumph T120 Bonneville. It's stretched out 2 inches and more tapered in the rear.
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/13.jpg [/img]

If you've never been to Yoshi's, it is the most magical place in LA for motorcycle enthusiasts. Here are a couple of shots in his huge garage filled with tons of vintage parts.
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[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/15-1.jpg [/img]

The frame is done! From start to finish in less than 2 weeks. Anthony is a true master artist and craftsman.

While I was waiting for the frame, these two bad boys came in the mail:
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/16.jpg [/img]

A set of new busa forks to handle the weight reduction. I thought about getting springers, but I want to take this cat to the salt flats when I'm done, and I'd probably cap out at 80mph with springers. These forks, however, will essentially allow me to maximize the potential of the bulletproof KZ motor. Supposedly these are also made by Ohlins, and I got a killer deal on eBay. The stems are very interestingly shaped with the narrowist point less than 1 inch and the widest, wider than an inch. I'm going to have it shaved down at the widest point to fit into the 1 inch tube.

Here's pics of the custom frame. You can see the drop seat much more clearly here.
[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/17-1.jpg [/img]

[img size=600x450] i30.photobucket.com/albums/c345/ninemmreverie/18-1.jpg [/img]

That's it for now. Total time so far since I purchased the base KZ: 3.5 weeks. I have a ton of working parts available from the original bike that I don't plan on using. The previous owner was nice enough to give me a few brand new parts as well and I'll be more than happy to send them out to anyone at pretty reasonable prices. Hope to update soon!

Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback and will post more as this project comes to fruition.

Single tube backbone, 23" wheels, & hardtail? You're well on your way to making a boardtrack racer. (Well, at least it will handle like one.) :laugh: All kidding aside, have you ever had a close look at a board track bike? They really are rather primitive (for example, they had no brakes, lighting, suspension, mufflers, etc.) and I doubt that anyone would want to use one to ride on the street - even back when. But if you're sure you want to do it, good luck with it.

Boardtrack bike:


Don't forget your leather helmet and goggles:

very cool concept and nice start!