Shaft New Paint

Very nice! I really like the color and stripes!

Too bad our shafties are so far away from each other, I'd like to have a photo of them together!

As for the front fender, cutting it down is a good idea versus running without, mine worked out well as both in appearance and function.

Nice bikes! Fenders go a long way in keeping crud off our engines and our faces. You won't like riding in the wet without one believe me. But most important most of them are also fork braces and if you have ever had a bad headshake or tank slapper you won't soon forget it. If you survive it. You can run without a fender but I suggest you get a fork brace if you do.

Thanks again for the comments.

Back to the fender questions and comments. I only said that I like the look of no fender. I realize that it is not safe nor good for the rain(I ride my full dressed police Kz in the bad weather). I have the original chrome one and another in the process of being cut down as a shorty. I will post the bike with the original soon so everyone will comment on other aspects.
If I change my mind and go with a fiberglass fender will I still have a problem with flex as if having no fender? Will I need to brace the fender over the fiberglass?
Here is a before pic of the fender for the bike!

KZ-RAGE
Nice shafty!
Did you cut down that fender?
It looks like the original only a bit shorter. How did you prep for paint?
It seems we have the same ideas about how these bikes should look.
Good job!!!!!!!!!

Thanks! I got the idea from a friend that showed me how to do it the easy way. Used a stick-on grinder sanding pad as the guide. I think it was a 5" or 6" but not so sure now, anyway stuck it on the fender back about 4-5" from the end and then used it as a template to mark the fender as to where to cut. This gives you a nice radius to follow and keeps it even side to side. Took a cutoff wheel and followed the mark around the fender. Did this on both ends, afterward just hit the cut-off ends against a belt grinder to smooth up the edge.

I used a very fine grit sandblasting booth to rough up the chrome to the point it looked like dull aluminum mostly with some copper/nickel showing then had my paint buddy shoot it with etching primer, the paint is a GM black automotive with clear coat. Has held up just fine now for 4 years.

I have a couple of stock ST front fenders in the shop that I can measure compared to the one on the bike to give you the exacts on the cut-off lengths if you like, just let me know. (I'll be out of town until next Wednesday though).

As for using a fiberglass fender, I don't see why not but adding a fork brace would be wise if you ride'em like I do through the twisties!The stock fender adds some stiffness to the forks but it is just stamped metal so a brace would really firm it up. I'm working with another bud on having him machine up a custom fork brace for mine this summer, I'll post something about it when that gets going.

Oh and if you want to see a massive improvement in the bikes brakes get a set of Hel SS brake lines, biggest single improvement in the bike that I've ever made!

KZShafted wrote: ...have the original chrome one...with a fiberglass fender will I still have a problem with flex as if having no fender? Will I need to brace the fender over the fiberglass?...

Imo, the fiberglass fender will offer relatively little front end stability in comparison to a stock steel fender.

Here's a version with the chrome fender painted, and repositioned slightly higher above the tire.



Good Fortune!

just try it with out the fender and see if u think it flexes toooo much. it all depends on how hard u ride. if u are a cruiser u should be fine. u can allways add the brace later if u feel the need.
they look cool too. :evil:

I put the original back on for now, but will be modifying my spare to be smaller and black or even the body color like a Z1R.
Here is a couple of pictures.

What do the masses think of the case savers. Should they stay or go? I have never dropped a street bike,but know its going to happen sometime. I am not saying that I am perfect. I am truly far from but I have been riding street and motocross for twenty years and have save the many(hundreds) wipe-outs to dirt.I am either very lucky or stupid for thinking I may not crash on pavement!

they serve a good purpose.

but they do look bulky.

thats my .02,


leon

your bike looks great with the new paint!!! and i like the chrome front fender also....

As for the case savers you can see my bike has none on it but I do have a brand new NOS chrome pair in my shop to put on it... if I decide too. :whistle:

I do like the look of it without them but these rally's I attend are pretty intense corner carving experiences so I know that I'm flirting with months of searching for a decent set if the worse ever happens. I'm taking it to the MotoGP in Indy this year and plan on doing the courtesy lap around the track twice (2 tickets = two laps) so I would like to do that without the bars. Maybe this fall I'll put them on for next year... just maybe.