Testarossa's 78 KZ1000 Fighter Build

porchev914 wrote:

testarossa wrote:

Forks first. You are right, that is pretty much a done deal on the ride height. You could go with one of those sick japanese gullwing upper triple clamps to raise the front, but they are proud of their creation. I just mounted my forks and then I setup the rear suspension.

And they're not above charging astronomical amounts of money for their pride either. I was drooling over a Ti exhaust system the other day that was :blink: $2800 :ohmy: Well, I'm on the prowl for as complete a front end as I can get, looking at 07-08 R1, that way I can get the black upper tubes, they're a little longer than GSXR forks and stock 6 piston calipers :silly:

I need to learn to TIG. I have been considering building a scratch start TIG from a AC/DC stick welder. I'm not scared to machine Ti, but I have yet to run a bead on the stuff. I think I see a business oportunity. Titanium is not too hard to work with once you understand it's properties. I think that most businesses take advantage of the wow factor with Ti products. Look at Ti bicycles, Ti exhausts, Ti valves. None of these items NEED to be made of Titanium, but they command a premium price. Other than the high melting temp, and the cutting tool wear it seems like a perfect material to fabricate with. Ti is a bad conductor of heat and elecricity. Seems perfect to weld with. Need to try it out.

Got my front tire mounted and the wheel properly installed with all spacers today. Also mounted the GSXR rearsets, and I'm fairly sure that I'm not happy. I needed to space the rearsets out so I welded in some 1" spacers made from 3/4" tube with 8mm nuts welded to the end. Here are the spacers.



Now I have some pics of the semi-assembled bike. Be honest with your opinions of the rearsets. I'm not liking what I have, so don't hold back. I can take it.

is the back of the tank and front of seat missing a rubber perch in pics?looks like it should be more level.otherwise looks GOOD.

testarossa wrote:

Are you saying that I will need support if I go with the 5/8" offset? I'm getting ready to pull the trigger here.

I run a 5/8" offset sprocket on my 1000 with no bearing support. Haven't had a problem yet. That being said, my engine is stock except for exhaust/jetting. If you plan on beefing up your engine a considerable amount later you can always get a sprocket with the nose and run it as is for now and buy the bearing support later.

Later, Doug

Coming together nicely.

I have GSXR 600 driver pegs and GSXR 1000 passanger pegs on my streetfighter. I've never been in love with the the look of the guard that attaches to them. I'll change that when the right idea comes to mind.

I have long legs and the rearsets put my knees right at the valve cover. I fabricated two guards that fasten down with valve cover bolts to keep from burning my knees.

larrycavan wrote:

Coming together nicely.

I have GSXR 600 driver pegs and GSXR 1000 passanger pegs on my streetfighter. I've never been in love with the the look of the guard that attaches to them. I'll change that when the right idea comes to mind.

I have long legs and the rearsets put my knees right at the valve cover. I fabricated two guards that fasten down with valve cover bolts to keep from burning my knees.

very nice Larry....really clean with great lines...although Im not sure how much ltd 1000 is left...

StreetfighterKz wrote:

testarossa wrote:

Are you saying that I will need support if I go with the 5/8" offset? I'm getting ready to pull the trigger here.

I run a 5/8" offset sprocket on my 1000 with no bearing support. Haven't had a problem yet. That being said, my engine is stock except for exhaust/jetting. If you plan on beefing up your engine a considerable amount later you can always get a sprocket with the nose and run it as is for now and buy the bearing support later.

Later, Doug

Good advice Doug.
Since i run a 5/8" offset, i asked the question. I came to the conclusion that it would be wise.
I asked a few drag racers, and the consensus was that when u get past 1/2" u are putting a lot of stress on the output shaft. u just cant be sure how long it will take the stress, maybe forever maybe not. also of course it would depend on how u ride. i felt that if i was going to the drags i would want it for sure, and if i was just hitting the throttle at gear changes i would be ok. So, since I couldn’t afford every part on my list, I have run it without(but never hit the drag strip, or launched it). I have just received an output support plate from Irishwill(nice work Ben), and ordered a 5/8” 530 19 sprocket and bearing from D&G.

camaroguy wrote:

is the back of the tank and front of seat missing a rubber perch in pics?looks like it should be more level.otherwise looks GOOD.

Or is the tank high at the front?
Testerossa, were u able to align the rear wheel with the front wheel?
I cant see the pegs well enough to coment .Sorry(my puter).

OK Josh, I have a question about your ZX10. Can you tell me the top of fork to axle centerline length on her? I'd really appreciate it bud.

BTW Larry, that is a super clean bike! :woohoo: Like Irish said, it looks like the LTD emblem is the only left of the LTD

camaroguy wrote:

is the back of the tank and front of seat missing a rubber perch in pics?looks like it should be more level.otherwise looks GOOD.

There's alot going on with that tank. It's a 750 (I think) tank on a 1000 frame. It does have the rubber perches, but the front mount is something that I welded to the frame. That seat is just sitting on there. No pins through the hinges or anything. In one of those pictures there is a significant glare on the part of the seat that touches the tank and that really distorts the apperance. Also, this will not be the final seat cover. Its possible that the tank is also sitting a little high in the front as well.

larrycavan wrote:

Coming together nicely.

I have GSXR 600 driver pegs and GSXR 1000 passanger pegs on my streetfighter. I've never been in love with the the look of the guard that attaches to them. I'll change that when the right idea comes to mind.

I have long legs and the rearsets put my knees right at the valve cover. I fabricated two guards that fasten down with valve cover bolts to keep from burning my knees.

Larry,
Thanks for the constructive input. I will most certainly change those rearsets. No compromises on this one. I like your valve cover knee shields. I'm about 6'3" and I'm sure to have the same problem. Sweet bike, and I'm glad to see someone else taking their little ones for a ride.

Thanks to everyone for their help with the offset sprocket. I just got my cut of the tax refund from the warden, so I should be on a spending spree soon enough.

Adam, I didn't see this until I got to work this morning. I'll be sure to measure for you when I get home. Do you have a line on a zx-10r fork?