Your favorite examples of KZ Cafe's?

That's a nice looking bike...

So what are you starting with, CR? IS IT A SPECTRE?

DrWhizBang wrote:
Not to hi-jack this thread, but do you have better pictures of your homebrew rearset do-dads? I might try the same, but I'm kind sketchy on the details, and some decents pics of the finished product would give me a good idea how to do it.[/quote]

Here ya go!

guitargeek wrote:

That's a nice looking bike...

So what are you starting with, CR? IS IT A SPECTRE?

I don't rightly know- how can I tell?

CruisingRam wrote:

I don't rightly know- how can I tell?

Check the VIN. Mine's an LTD so the VIN starts "KZ750H". If it's a Spectre it should start with "KZ750N". Also, the Spectre featured two-tone paint with black hardware, black exhaust, gold wheels, gold engine, painted fenders. The LTD had chrome exhaust, chrome hardware, chrome fenders.

UPDATE: I just checked with buykawasaki.com and confirmed that the LTD was still chain-driven in 1982, so if it's a shaftie it has to be a Spectre. Looks like I answered my own question...

You'll have to ask Trav about fitting an 18" rear wheel (if that's what you want to do). He's gone round and round with that particular quandary and might even have an 18" wheel to fit the bike in question. His bike started out as an LTD550, which was a shaftie.

He signed on recently- will be, hopefully, posting on this thread. I won't change the wheels, just clean them up and maybe powder coat them if neccesary. This is his first bike, and I want it to look good and be rock solid reliable.

Man, I'd have to recommend keeping it mostly stock. Maybe a Kerker & pods, probably a Daytona bar unless you're going with rearsets. My buddy's Spectre runs really strong (better than my bike!) I can't stand to ride it much, though, he kept that goofy ass stock handlebar.

Different strokes...

Ya, just a couple minor cosmetic changes on any bike can make a big change visually! I want to clean up the lunch box tail lights and giant eye-stalk turn signals.

The bike is rough cosmetically, but I can see "clean" under the long term storage life it has led.

Hmmm, tank change you say?

Hey, this is the bike I am buying, I am a brand new rider and looking forward to summer. I am very hooked on bikes and am pleased to be getting one of my own, one of apparent good quality. Any riding tips or suggestions on where to get equipment would be greatly appreciated.

Newbiker wrote:

Hey, this is the bike I am buying, I am a brand new rider and looking forward to summer. I am very hooked on bikes and am pleased to be getting one of my own, one of apparent good quality. Any riding tips or suggestions on where to get equipment would be greatly appreciated.

don't worry bro- remember what I told you? If you can't afford the gear- you can't afford the bike! We will hook u up before the season begins- probably send you over to barbs at Alaska fur and leather and her 4 hun head to toe deal she has!

Guys- be cool to him- he just finished marine basic training!

Welcome, Newb!

Your first step is to get the gear, then take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Rider Training Course.

nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=AK

After you take the course, find a large empty parking lot and practice practice practice.

This course and the protective gear will both help to prevent you from dying in a most ignominious manner.

Get a good helmet, make sure it's a good fit. Wear the helmet, it doesn't do you any good if you're not wearing it. I know you devil dogs have hard heads, but even Uncle makes you wear a Kevlar hat.

Same goes for leather! Would you rather sweat or bleed? Trust me, road rash hurts like a bitch and you don't want any part of it.

I put a bike just like yours together for a buddy of mine last year. I also gave him a decent used helmet and jacket, but I have yet to see him utilize either. I give him shit about it constantly, but he's a former Marine and thick-headed. I guess he'll learn, provided he survives his first wreck...

Don't worry- I will school him on all that- already mentioned our great ABATE course and how I have been riding for over 25 years and still take the refresher course every spring.

Can't wait to get started on the bike- I love that smog block off plate you guys made on that other spectre!

I am thinking he will probably lean more toward your bike than Action mans!

Keep us updated, take lots of pictures!