'78 KZ-OW Project

I don't know exactly what drives this desire to have Projects on the go. :blink: It seems like I can't just have a bike to ride without having at least one more bike to scheme and dream about. :S Can you relate?? :blink:

So.

Here we go again.

I tried (really... I did try!) to sell the remains of a '78 KZ1000 that I bought for the engine a while back. A few guys "kicked the tires" but nobody stepped up with cash to make a deal So, with a good titled frame in hand, the wheels started turning in my mind a few weeks ago.

The back story here is that my h2 Triple is being converted into a "2-up" street/sport machine. So my KZ is going to remain a "solo" machine. It's what it was always intended for, but now I can seriously commit to it!

The original thought was to strip down the KZ-ZXR and go all-out in a "solo sports bike style". Because I have this '78 frame though, my thinking has shifted slightly. I think I'm going to go all out on the '78 frame, rather than the '77 KZ-ZXR machine!

Here is my inspiration:

I know I'm not alone in my lust for this Spondon-framed beauty! I think I might kill to get my hands on one of those frames! However, that's just not practical, or likely. So, I think we'll do something similar with this:

Use this for a seat:

And this (or similar) for a fuel tank:

There are lots of other ideas for it as well, but that's enough for now.

Feel free to wade in with ideas, comments, critiques and criticisms. I'm interested in them all! :laugh:

you are right about the general lust that bike inspires :evil: !
i can't wait to follow along.

leon

531blackbanshee wrote: you are right about the general lust that bike inspires :evil: !
i can't wait to follow along.

leon

Yessir! I hope you're a patient man... it's gonna be slow going.

Nice z1r's btw! Cool blog as well.




One of the things I dislike about some of the mono conversions I see, are the extended swing arms. I "get" that some really want the dragbike look, but I'm unwilling to go with a longer swing arm just because most of them are simply longer than the KZ. Considering what it will do to the handling, I want to find something that will "fill the bill" but maintain a stock or close-to-stock swing arm/wheelbase length.

When I went to a mono set up on the '74 h2 750, I found a '86 FZ600 swing arm was a perfect fit for the frame pivot point and for swing arm length. I suppose I could go the same route here, but I'd like to consider other options since I have time.

Any suggestions? :whistle:

thanks for the kind words.
are you wanting to keep the stock size wheels and tires?

what about a modified stock swingarm?

or perhaps a full custom arm built to your specifications perhaps :whistle: ...

leon

I'm going "modern" with the wheels too. 17" wheels with modern rubber for sure. On my KZ-ZXR, I run a zx6r rear wheel with a 180 tire. I have a zx10r forks/wheel/tire combo on the front. They work really well, so I hope to run a similar combo on this one as well.

I wish to keep the swing arm somewhere close to stock length. I've heard that there are other (besides the '86 FZ600) 80's and possibly 90's vintage mono shock swing arms that will be close. I'm looking for suggestions and recommendations.

A custom 'arm would be super cool, but I'm not sure I could afford such an animal at this time. :whistle:

Maybe a modified stock swing arm of some kind would work? Or maybe that would be just as pricey as a fully custom 'arm? I'm really swimming in uncharted waters here! :lol: I know you're one of the Forum experts here, so feel free to share your thoughts here or via PM if that would be more appropriate.

pm sent sir .

leon

Well, Leon has some really good ideas about how I could solve my swing arm quandary and lighten my wallet in one swift move. Of course, most truly genius ideas cost $$'s and I very well may follow his suggestion. It's going to take me a little time to sort this out though...

Meanwhile, while I check behind the sofa cushions to see if I can find some loose change, if y'all have any other suggestions, fire away! :lol:





Oh ya.

The "title" of the thread has changed a little. The "KZ-OW" is the new name, obviously based on the foundation of the project, but also figuring around the seat. This may seem odd to you, but this seat has a lot to do with this project being born.

Back 1 year ago, I was looking for a seat for my '74 h2 Mongrel project. My original seat plan was derailed by an "out of control reciprocating saw". Hmmm. What to do?

I called up a buddy "in the business" and asked what he had in stock. I've always liked the look of the OW31 Replica seat and happened to mention that to him. He had one, and brought it by for a test fit. It's waaaaaay small for anything as big as a semi-stock-sized 750. So that, was that. Or was it? :dry:

I asked if it could be made bigger to suit the size of the bigger bike. Of course, the answer is, "Yes, for a price."

The next thing I knew, I was ordering a custom sized OW31 "Large" Replica seat.

The order was delayed by other seat projects and the Mongrel ended up with another seat, but the "OW31 Large" was still going to be mine some day. Well, "some day" came back in November. I love it, and that lead me to a reason to use it.

So, here we are. A reason to use my new seat and a name for the new project. :silly:

What no picture of the seat that started it all?

Edit or am I a fool and you already posted a shot of it on your h2?

Tusch wrote: What no picture of the seat that started it all?

Edit or am I a fool and you already posted a shot of it on your h2?

Yessir! That's the one! I'll get a few more for you this weekend.

It was designed to be trimmed at the leading edge of the seat if so desired. I think I'll shorten it some. We'll see how it fits with the MkII ST tank I have my eye on. It's gonna be short, stubby and kicked up at the rear.

Your inspiration bike is pure moto-porn. Can't wait to see your build. You work on your other KZ is spotless so my expectations are high!

Cory

NakedFun wrote: Your inspiration bike is pure moto-porn. Can't wait to see your build. You work on your other KZ is spotless so my expectations are high!

Cory

Thank you Sir! This should be fun alright. :woohoo:

I've followed you projects as well. Fine examples to be sure!

(Love your forum "Handle" btw!! )

Got a couple more pics to share.

Here's another angle on the OW31 seat:

One of the issues with the OW31 "Large" is actually the size... it's a little big for some tanks. That's why I'm not going to use it here on the h2. The seat makes the tank look small.

However, I have some good news as today! I've located a tank for my KZ that I believe will go perfectly with this seat. It's from a 79 KZ1000 MkII ST. I love it because of it's "squared off" shape and because it's one of the largest capacity KZ tanks "out there". Score!! :laugh:

Pics when I get it in my hands.




Here's some more inspiration:

Love the clip-ons, front end and seat among other things. I think the swing arm would be a little long for my purposes, but i love the view from this angle. Sweeeeet!!