Wow. I'm really glad my bike came with a centerstand. I can pull the front forks, rear wheel, swing arm, etc. using it. The only help it needs is a small bottle jack under the front of the engine when pulling the front wheel or forks. It's a shame that newer models didn't at least have a boss or bracket underneath to allow a centerstand to be mounted temporarily for repairs and maintenance. I wonder if such a thing could be welded under the frame for that purpose? It sure would make life easier for folks with bikes that have no permanent centerstand. Ed

Rayray10147 wrote: Thank you for the info I'll definitely look into the other bikes to see if there compatible with the 440 worst case scenario I just change the shoes and leave her how she is. Again thanks for the info

The 550 GPz won't be compatible, it'll just be the closest match in size, as opposed to a 650 or 750 for instance. The first thing to do would be to get a swing arm measurement or two. The width would let you know straight away how doable it would be. Or the sleeve/bolt length.

For better stopping power, it might be easier to swap a dual disk front end, but that opens a can of worms as well. The stock brakes ought to be fine, though. When replacing the rear brake shoes, I sanded the glazing off the drum very carefully & evenly w 100 grit --- don't contaminate the bearings. Don't breathe the dust as it may contain asbestos.

[/quote]The guy that taught me to weld only uses a tinted lens, no autodark. He used to work for one of the top exotic welding specialists in the area so he def know his shit.[/quote]

Used the tinted hoods when I was doing collision repair. I remember tacking some rust repair on an old 240z (love those cars!) I had when I was still a cocky teen, it was bright as hell outside and I thought I could do things a lil faster by not using the hood to tack since it took so long for my eyes to adjust from bright sun to hood down, let my eyes adjust, tack. So instead I did the "hold the gun where I needed a tack, shut my eyes and look away :whistle: NEVER again..flash burn is not cool. So past 12 years or so, been spoiled using auto hoods and have a good stock of cr2025 and 2045 batteries when either one flickers.

Back on topic..much needed update. Bike is running fantastic so far, I think I dodge a few bullets with my carbs and pods? Did a lot of plug chopping, I'm definitely not sizzlelean or thick sooty carbon rich. judging by the NGK plug color chart I have and the almighty google, I'd say on the rich side of normal. I also haven't had any back stabbing electrical problems the past 3 weeks. One little issue I had was a vibrating headlight. Thought I fixed it, but it came back with a vengeance! So swapped out the stock bucket and hl for a 7" H4 I had. The night after that swap, low beam goes out..smh. Thought the 7" looked too big anyways . Took apart the stock one and noticed not much plastic left for a bushing in both pivot joints. Used a rubber grommet(ones to make holes in firewalls safe)on both holes...omfg! it's so peaceful now! I swear i almost wanted to cry on the freeway..hahaha! but now.... I can hear shit, like my chain is rubbing either on top close to the pivot of the swing arm or the foot of the center stand or maybe both? I'll see in the morn.
Other than that, I have no regrets of how much I've spent yet alone the time I invested into this project, my very first motorcycle build, I'm lovin my KZ and the thumbs up I get on the freeway and compliments at stops. Best part is that I'm not even done with the bike yet!? I think my red springs are hypnotizing? lol..Couple nights ago decided to take a super scenic route home. Half way through, 2 crotch rockets and a converted DRZ zoom pass me. I was 10 over the posted limit. I'm sure 2 of the 3 riders were novices, since I was able to safely stay behind one of the riders R6. The supermoto must've been the experienced rider cause he was parked in the shopping center lot eating a burrito. they didn't believe me when I said it was a 440.
Late night..


Front..I gotta remember to take the side reflectors off before taking pics...lol


Some header stuff going on..


decided to do a single..so here's the merge I made..


ed

Can someone take a picture of how the under seat locking mechanism is fitted?

TK, thank you for the offer. Much appreciated.

MAR:

Buy a regular drainplug and a round magnet that is smaller diameter than the threaded end preferably about half the diameter.

I will chuck the drainplug in the lathe, and bore a hole for the magnet.

Wow.

I am humbled by your compliments. Truly. Thank you. I enjoyed the journey, although came very close to dragging it behind my pick-up down the street a few times.

The whole story is pretty cool, even now that the bike has a new owner. The new owner and I text each other a few times a week, he is talking the best possible care of the bike and has put about 800 miles on it since he purchased it. Your compliments are taken to heart. My favorite inputs come from other riders who are are want to build a bike.

The new owner has many of the same compliments, the detail he says is pronominal. It can torture you this sense of perfectionism. When I get a compliment like the one you have posted, makes it so worthwhile.

Thank you very much,

I am newbie and then some when it comes to Kz"s and motorcycle customization but I have spent the last few days reading every little bit of this entire thread. I am astonished at the level of attention to detail put into this bike. This is the most Beautiful motorcycle that i have ever seen. If someone was to put it beside others in a show and not having read this i might be compelled to think another bike is more beautiful but after reading this and feeling that i am a part of this somehow by being happy with you through your success and down right angry with you through your heartaches. No other bike comes close! You did a phenomenal job that i only hope to get close to once i start my build. I look forward to future builds from you. Thank you for taking time to document this build so well and letting us be part of it.

Hello fellow Kz fans. My name is Henry and I have recently come across an opportunity to purchase a 1976 Kz900. I am a bike mechanic by hobby but have limited experience with these vintage bikes. From what I was told this was an old drag bike that has now been rebuilt for street use. It is now an 1150 or 1175 I believe, has an undercut transmission, bigger cam, and the swingarm is not wide but is not stock from what i can tell. Overall cool bike with what seems to be alot of mods. Guy was a big Kz nut and has had the bike for 25+ years.

Question here is what is the bike worth ballpark? Also what things do I need to lookout for? I apologize in advance if this has already been addressed in a previous thread but my time is limited and I am planning on getting the bike today.

Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Mykes been riding it like crazy, 600 miles at last count !!

seems i heard somewhere that someone used a drain plug for another bike or car and it had a nice magnet on it.
so you may get the thread dia.and thread pitch and do a google search just with that info.


leon