1980 KZ750 to cafe?

Hey this is my first time on the site because I just picked up a 1980 kz750 thats in.... less then ideal condition But hopefully with some hard work I can have it looking great! Here is my baby and my inspiration. I should also include this is my first time fixing up a bike so I'm hoping all of you can help me out! My brother works on bikes all the time building them into cafe racers and I love the end result of them and really want to shape this kz750 into one. Ill be adding updates through out the next couple weeks letting you know how its going and most likely asking for help.

Also this is another bike that caught my eye that I would love for my bike to end up looking like

that is a terrible idea and I don't like cafe racers.

Why is it a bad idea?

Welcome and who care what haveakaw or anyone else thinks. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Build what you want and most here will try to answer any questions you have. Good luck and enjoy.
Wayne

I had a 1980 750 LTD. Kept it all stock and loved it. I like the cafe racer look though too. Mine only need a little TLC to look darn good original condition. But, if the bike has been mod'd a bit or is in a little rougher condition, why not, right?

As for this bike in particular...good power, reliable, decent mpg. Be careful with the carbs and the main slide diaphragms. I was never able to find replacement ones and the old ones still can catch more than $50. I got lucky and found a part set of carbs. There is also a little plastic plug in the carbs. Make sure this fits snuggly, otherwise it won't run quite right. Also, there is alot of very small ports and such in the pilot circuit. With alot of patience I got mine cleaned out very nicely and the bike ran like a top. Still wish I didn't sell it...

funny you mention the carbs because I already had to get new ones a while ago. One of the slides was rusted in place, but I got new ones that slide beautifully and are clean as a whistle. I tried to start it and it fired a little while ago but now the starter seems to work but it wont turn over. I didn't touch it for a while in between but something happened. So this weekend I will be taking a look at it. Do you think, because I live in new hampshire, that its just too cold? Probably not but one can hope other than that everything thing seems to be in pretty good shape! a little dirty but nothing a good clean and repaint can't fix.

I think the technical definition of a cafe racer includes an exhaust with no baffle.

Do you guys have any suggestions for lowering the fork? I am thinking abou tlowering it at the crown but also I was looking into PS kits. would this do the trick? I just want the front end lowered.

donthaveakawman wrote: that is a terrible idea and I don't like cafe racers.

Well that is just to bad I like the bike and cafe racers. Built and sold this to a customer late last year, based on a 77 KZ650. Everybody has different tastes.

Lets see,.... choppers, lowered, stretched, bobbed, lots of chrome, no chrome, everything painted, straight bars, ape hangers, fairings, bags,headers, straight pipes, 4 into 2, spokes, mags, single seats, ....you name it,everybody likes a certain look, dont worry about what other people think, just do what YOU want to YOUR bike, that makes YOU happy...just like kzz1king, & baldy 110 said

Thanks for the input guys. Ill be off for spring break tomorrow so ill start up loading some pics of my progress. I really like that bike baldy putting some new ideas into my head.... cant wait to rip it apart :laugh: