82 KZ1000 cruiser chop

I started this SLOW project about a year ago having purchased my first kawie ( been on the old hondas for the last 14 years). I have been runnig build threads on a couple of other sites but since i have been getting so much helpful info from here i thought i would share the project here as well. That said there will be a flurry of post copied from the other thread but keep in mind this has been a year getting to this point!

Found me a new project.. I have been looking for a cheap older bike to turn into a chopper for about 2 years now, was hoping for a CB750 or at least something that big but nothing has come my way until now. Heard about a KZ1000 for sale back on father's day and finally found time to check it out. It's PERFECT for this project....picking it up tomorrow, will post the before pics tomorrow evening. I'm SO excited!! This is gonna be a cool ride and a nice upgrade from the old 500 i love so much.



all this for $300!!. got it to a friends house where we set on the tank, put in some gas, hooked up a car battery to it , and with the help of a shot of ether it fired up and runs!!!

Lets hope I can have it ready to ride next season...but, you know how these things can drag out.....

i have been collecting some parts


it's about time to start cutting and welding

I drew first blood today. Cut out the frame under the seat in prep for lowering the new seat into the frame. Gota get the swingarm moved back 5" so I can figure out how low i can go with the frame behind the seat.


also removed the battery box and trimed off some unnescesary mounting tabs.

I drew first blood today. Cut out the frame under the seat in prep for lowering the new seat into the frame.


also removed the battery box and trimed off some unnescesary mounting tabs.

Finally got another weekend to work on the beast.

Started with the backbone

Narrowed it some at the back, and then mounted the tanks and attached them together

Then lowered and shortened the frame behind the seat.

All in all a good weekend. Hope I get another one soon.....being back to work sux.

Life and cold weather been getting in the way of my build but got a bit of time and warmer weather last weekend to make headway. Got the two bars from under the seat cut and welded back in. Made some more bracing for the back end of them but the tip on the welder fouled and couldnt get the wire to feed. Then couldnt find the spare tips so had to stop on the frame work but its starting to look more finished.


With the welder out for the day, we had to zip tye in the battery and make it run. We set the seat on and hooked up th one tank and I rode it up the street a few times........damm its fast.
A short, crappy video of it running... www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=...86229316488969

Got in a bit of time with this thing this weekend. Fixed a wiring error that was causing it to overcharge and then started to work on mounting the forward controls. No pics of that yet but the bike has a set of "case saver" crash bars that will end up doubling as my control mounts. Spent about 20 min knocking together a small sissy bar and am fairly happy with the look but am thinking its too short. will have to see after the back seat pad is made.

I rescued some slightly bent ape hangers from the scrap metal bin at work.....was not the look i had planned for, but they do look pretty good. They might just have to stay.




And that is a condensed recap of progress so far...to be continued as this beast comes together

Sweet Lookin Ride Bro I'm really interested in how you're going to finish your tank because I have the same idea for minekeep up the good work looking forward to new pics

found this way cool massive headlamp at the classic car swap meet today! I hope it looks as good on the bike as it does in my head.


Just wish i knew what it originally came from

Looking good!

I Like the style you are going for.
I'll be watching this thread for sure.