TexasKZ wrote:

80B4 wrote:

HBKwaka wrote: Other than looks wat is the advantage to inverting the forks? As far as a mechanical engineering stand point it seems to make the forks weaker. Wat are the advantages?

The larger OD of the female fork tubes provides more area for the triple clamps to clamp to, The end result is a fork assembly that deflects less then a conventional fork. Most inverted, or male slider, forks are built around a cartridge damper which is superior in almost every way compared to a damper rod fork.
If you have the time and money ( lots of money) male slider forks are a great modification for any mid 75s and newer motorcycle. Lots of money!

Without a doubt, but at what point does the wonderfulness of the newer forks get overwhelmed by the weakness of the antique frame?

Only your wallet knows the answer to that question. I have found that it's the forks and swing arm that cause most of the flex in 70's eara motorcycles. Stiffen those two systems, align the wheels, invest in proper rate springs and modern damping and most (not all) mid 70's and newer bikes handle very well. Especially when they are kept on street tires.

sorry if i posted under the wrong category..
so i got my swing arm from a vfr, single side swing arm. got it to fin in the frame, still using the original swing arm bolt.so i need some bushings to fit the bolt to the swing arm..if anyone can make them at a reasonable price or knows someone that can please let me know. thanks

Lack of cash has kept me from doing much on the bike this Summer, but I've still been looking for inspiration on how I want to really build it back up. I like the street look, but it's just too 'common'. I ran across this picture today and it has me thinking, but there are some questions...

I have a 16" rear wheel, but I see an 18" was available, and I kinda like the look of the same-sized wheels better. Does anyone know if this wheel would be a straight bolt-on, or if I would need to replace the swingarm or brakes or anything else? (Also now I'm curious if this bike actually has the larger rear, or if it's just an illusion of the photo)

I like the look of the duck tail without the fender, but the one from the 70's KZ1000's feels a bit long to me. The tail from the KZ650 has a nice lip at the back and appears shorter. Is it actually shorter? (And yes, I know that frame is different and I will have to make mods to add a tail on mine.)

That seat... I've never seen anything like it. It gives the look of a "badass biker" but it's a double seat. I'm not so sure how that thin of padding would feel on the rear after a couple hours of riding, but it has me considering what it would take to make my own seat pan... Anyone have tips or links on making a custom pan? Anyone seen similar seats for sale that I might buy?

kaw-a-holic wrote:

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Hey folks,

I had to get confirmation that MotoGP Werks was remanufacturing Cal-Fab swingarms as seen in this article: www.motorcycle.com/top10/top-10-things-motogp-werks.html/8

Red got back to me, and yes indeed, he purchased the company and Cal-Fab swingarms are being manufactured once again!!!

The article is true, the price will be $599. A 150-series rear tire will fit easily.

Right now, they're only manufacturing a disc brake version for Z1s, unless they get 5 to 8 pre orders for the drum version. I'm interested in a drum brake version as I like the lines of the drum on the back of an old KZ, and I do not plan on ever doing a track day on the old bike.

I wanted to put out a feeler to see if anyone else was interested in a drum brake version as well. Let me know if you are!

Thanks!

Oops, sorry guys I thought you already new this. He started with the Gixxers and is now making one for the KZs.

Haha yeah, this is news to me! I've been concentrating on my ZRX lately, but as I finish the mods I intend to do to that, I'll start focusing on my KZ again. Miss my old gal!!!

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Hey folks,

I had to get confirmation that MotoGP Werks was remanufacturing Cal-Fab swingarms as seen in this article: www.motorcycle.com/top10/top-10-things-motogp-werks.html/8

Red got back to me, and yes indeed, he purchased the company and Cal-Fab swingarms are being manufactured once again!!!

The article is true, the price will be $599. A 150-series rear tire will fit easily.

Right now, they're only manufacturing a disc brake version for Z1s, unless they get 5 to 8 pre orders for the drum version. I'm interested in a drum brake version as I like the lines of the drum on the back of an old KZ, and I do not plan on ever doing a track day on the old bike.

I wanted to put out a feeler to see if anyone else was interested in a drum brake version as well. Let me know if you are!

Thanks!

Oops, sorry guys I thought you already new this. He started with the Gixxers and is now making one for the KZs.

Hey folks,

I had to get confirmation that MotoGP Werks was remanufacturing Cal-Fab swingarms as seen in this article: www.motorcycle.com/top10/top-10-things-motogp-werks.html/8

Red got back to me, and yes indeed, he purchased the company and Cal-Fab swingarms are being manufactured once again!!!





The article is true, the price will be $599. A 150-series rear tire will fit easily.

Right now, they're only manufacturing a disc brake version for Z1s, unless they get 5 to 8 pre orders for the drum version. I'm interested in a drum brake version as I like the lines of the drum on the back of an old KZ, and I do not plan on ever doing a track day on the old bike.

I wanted to put out a feeler to see if anyone else was interested in a drum brake version as well. Let me know if you are!

Thanks!

tk11b40 wrote: Oh boy...

The Gixxer I built for my buddy is delivered, he took it home to California. Then he calls me to tell me to pick up a bike.
He bought me a real nice GS750E as a thank you gift...

Now who out there knows of a good building Forum for the 83 GS...

This one is a survivor, no molestation has occurred. I am about 30 days from finishing the KZ, then its on to restoring this GS.

www.thegsresources.com/

Oh boy...

The Gixxer I built for my buddy is delivered, he took it home to California. Then he calls me to tell me to pick up a bike.
He bought me a real nice GS750E as a thank you gift...

Now who out there knows of a good building Forum for the 83 GS...

This one is a survivor, no molestation has occurred. I am about 30 days from finishing the KZ, then its on to restoring this GS.

MFolks wrote: I copied this from a post from Jeff Saunders (owner of Z1 enterprises)

Motorcycle Wobble Causes

There's a LONG list of potential area that can cause this.

These are not in any particular order

Wheel bearings

Steering bearings - repack grease, check tightness

Swing arm bushings/sleeves/bearings - replace if worn, repack grease

Fork springs aging - check spring length

Unequal fork oil - if seals leak, then your damping can be ineffective

Rear shocks aging, damper leaks - if you have oil leaking from the seals, the damping is toast.

Worn Tires/Mismatched tires/tire pressures/wrong size tires
Wheel alignment - don't trust the chain adjusters - I visually align the wheels.

Bent rims/broken spokes - get the wheels off the ground and spin them - check for runout / damage

Front disc warped - check for runout

Steering & swing arm bearings are very common problems, but so are tire issues (pressure/mismatch) and wheel alignment.

Not having a front fender, as it helps stiffen up the forks. I’d suggest a fork brace.

Is that applicable to low speed (below 50) wobble as well as higher speed (above 50)

My kzp feels like I have a flat at around 40 through a curve

I copied this from a post from Jeff Saunders (owner of Z1 enterprises)

Motorcycle Wobble Causes

There's a LONG list of potential area that can cause this.

These are not in any particular order

Wheel bearings

Steering bearings - repack grease, check tightness

Swing arm bushings/sleeves/bearings - replace if worn, repack grease

Fork springs aging - check spring length

Unequal fork oil - if seals leak, then your damping can be ineffective

Rear shocks aging, damper leaks - if you have oil leaking from the seals, the damping is toast.

Worn Tires/Mismatched tires/tire pressures/wrong size tires
Wheel alignment - don't trust the chain adjusters - I visually align the wheels.

Bent rims/broken spokes - get the wheels off the ground and spin them - check for runout / damage

Front disc warped - check for runout

Steering & swing arm bearings are very common problems, but so are tire issues (pressure/mismatch) and wheel alignment.

Not having a front fender, as it helps stiffen up the forks. I’d suggest a fork brace.