Welcome, Guest
Username: Password: Remember me

TOPIC:

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 04 Oct 2019 19:49 #811827

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256

I'm happy with the results, but I end up waiting for the compressor longer than I can blast.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 07 Oct 2019 15:48 #812021

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256

I'm not the best welder, but at least there's no porosity! I dropped of the wheels, drive hub, swingarm, and rear brake stay at the powder coating shop today. Looking forward to making the frame a roller so I can finish the fab work.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 07 Oct 2019 15:56 #812023

  • DoctoRot
  • DoctoRot's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
  • Posts: 2543
  • Thank you received: 664
nice work, any plans to brace the frame?
The following user(s) said Thank You: Skidmark

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 07 Oct 2019 16:01 #812025

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256
Not as of yet. I am going to de-clutter the rear section, and I have to fab up some new steering stops. What type of frame bracing have you seen?
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 08 Oct 2019 11:21 #812066

  • Rainman
  • Rainman's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • and a little Kaw shall lead them
  • Posts: 597
  • Thank you received: 75
This is a reference.

Attachment 358737c05be31ec8ac21e70410e100ed.jpg not found

80 KZ750 H1 - the Kaw calf
79 KZ750 Twin - Miss Nov 2008 KZR calander
79 KZ750 Twin parts bike
78 KZ650 C2 Parts Bike
75 KZ400 Wife's old bike sold
81 KZ440 A2 LTD Wife's new bike
84 Honda 450 Rebel Wife's newest bike
Jim
Quincy,IL
Attachments:
The following user(s) said Thank You: Skidmark

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 08 Oct 2019 13:59 #812074

  • DoctoRot
  • DoctoRot's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
  • Posts: 2543
  • Thank you received: 664
heres a thread with a bunch of good info, sadly many of the image links are broken because they are hosted on photobucket, but if you go through it there is still plenty of good info. It is fine to use chromoly tube without heat treating as long as is is thinner than 0.125" just use standard e70 wire

When i braced my frame I used .065" wall chromoly.

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?start=100

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: by DoctoRot.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 08 Oct 2019 14:14 #812075

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256
Wow! I got a 24 hour turn around on the powdercoat. I was expecting 3-4 days at least.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: by Skidmark.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 08 Oct 2019 14:47 #812077

  • 650ed
  • 650ed's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 15344
  • Thank you received: 2828
I would say it all looks look like new except they actually look better than new! Very nice! Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Skidmark

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 09 Oct 2019 08:55 #812125

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256
That is a lot of good info on frame bracing. To be honest, I had never considered it before now. I am building this bike as a street bike, not a track bike. It's kind of a "resto-mod" with a vintage superbike theme. And yes, I am going with the Eddie Lawson tribute color scheme. I am no stranger to large fabrication projects, and I was Production/Quality Manager at a metal fabrication company for 24 years. This being my first retirement project, I think I am going to pass on the frame bracing. I would get too deep into making or buying a frame jig, and all of the other concerns when welding on a frame.

Great information on weld techniques and strategies! Thanks for all the pointers.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 09 Oct 2019 10:16 #812127

  • DoctoRot
  • DoctoRot's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
  • Posts: 2543
  • Thank you received: 664
The idea is that as you stiffen up the front end with a fork swap and brace the swing-arm the flex under load these components used to have is now translated as more load to the frame. Bracing helps address that issue. Its certainly not required for a street bike, but its a nice touch and wont cost you much but your time. Plus It can really give the bike a beefy look if you reinforce the steering head to the main down tube. If done correctly no jig is needed as most points you are welding on are already triangulated. With your experience im sure you are well aware, tight fit-up and welding evenly side to side can mostly negate warping. I didn't make a jig on the 3 frames I have braced and it was fun to do. really gave the front tough profile and the bikes handle very well. The other thing you can do to stiffen up the chassis is to remove the slop in the factory engine mounts by over-sizing the bolts for a tight fit and using thick aluminum plates for the mounts

I only brought it up because you clearly got the skills. party on.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Skidmark

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Last edit: by DoctoRot.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 09 Oct 2019 10:35 #812129

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256
You certainly make good points...
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Saving a '81 KZ750-E 13 Oct 2019 12:43 #812366

  • Skidmark
  • Skidmark's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • Posts: 1067
  • Thank you received: 256
Most of the aluminum parts on this bike look really bad - until blasted, that is!
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker
Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum