First Bike Project: 1984 KZ550 cafe (pic heavy)

Hello,
This is my first motorcycle project. This site has been extremely helpful so far. i figured that i would go ahead an post some pics of what i have done so far on my new project. i am hoping to go for a kind of cafe/sport bike look. it will also be very minimalistic, if i dont need it i wont have it. it will be getting a custom solo seat. a more cafe style tank (haven't decided on one yet) shorter cafe handle bars, etc etc...

*note*

this project may be very slow going, as you may see from the pics, i am doing a lot of this project IN my apartment. which happens to be upstairs. (that was interesting getting it up there)

First off here are a few pics of when i got it (found it on ebay for $10 Bucks!)





I then pulled out the motor, sanded the frame and painted it. i used 500* engine paint and 500* clear coat on the frame





then, i painted the the stock wheels black (black gloss enamel, then the red details, and the clear)





and then it was time to paint the motor (1200* flat black engine paint)-

BEFORE





AFTER-







Engine back in the bike-





Next step will be the ever daunting task of wiring everything. let me know what you think, any ideas, comments or suggestions will be welcome

Thanks,
Rick

i forgot to mention, so far i have only spent arround $30 on this project!

Twichel04 wrote:

i forgot to mention, so far i have only spent arround $30 on this project!

I hate you :laugh: ......J/K. Looks great so far and i like the red / black wheels.

Pretty good for a rattle can job, Just remember details detail.

nelson8708

I hate you :laugh: ......J/K. Looks great so far and i like the red / black wheels.

yeah i read through your project thread last nice, GREAT work. i might pick your brain about wiring when it comes time for me to do it


chance

Pretty good for a rattle can job, Just remember details detail.

yeah, if there is one thing i am good at it is nice rattle can paint jobs, the key is to wet sand between every 2 or 3 coats (and you also have to do about 16 coats, lol)

does anyone have a wiring diagram for an 84 KZ550(f2)? i have a PDF repair manual but it only goes up to the 1983 Kz550 (f1) and i wasnt sure if the wiring was the same for those two years

I'm trying to decide on a nice tank that will give off a slight café look to the bike. my first thoughts go to the 80's suzuki gs tanks or the 70's honda supersport tanks. mostly be cause they both have that slight indentation towards the rear of the tank. any other ones that I may be overlooking?

ok, got the wiring diagram, and i think i decided on a tank. 1975 or 76 Honda CB tank... unless anyone has any other suggestions?

find a Z1R tank the coffin tank would really make the look

any particular year? (im new to the world of Kawi and have no idea what the zr1 tank looks like, haha)

78 or 80 only made for 2 years

Ok, I ended up decided on a Honda tank (mostly because i got it for $.99 on ebay) not exactly sure what its from. they guy had it listed wrong, which is most likely why i was the only bidder. i know its a late 60's or early 70's tank, maybe a CB? It actually fit on the biker with very little modification.

the tank is in good shape no dents or dings. the only major thing i needed to do was fill in where the honda logo goes-







trying to decide now if i should paint it flat black or gloss?