1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

DoctoRot
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Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...

27 Sep 2015 23:30 #692252 by DoctoRot

Replied by DoctoRot on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

NIce work. why are your alloy tacks so sooty? what are you welding with?

'78 1000 Long Term Project
'80 750G
750 Twin Big Bore Track Bike

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KZCafeChickNJ
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28 Sep 2015 02:20 - 28 Sep 2015 02:28 #692254 by KZCafeChickNJ

Replied by KZCafeChickNJ on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

DoctoRot wrote: NIce work. why are your alloy tacks so sooty? what are you welding with?

Thanks.

Miller 240 MIG with .035 aluminum wire and 100% argon, which was running low at the time, and we think that was the cause of the soot. It was Sunday and no one was open to refill the gas, so we just did enough tacks to hold it together firmly. We're most likely going to bite the bullet and buy a TIG this week.

1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer
1978 KZ650SR

Last edit: 28 Sep 2015 02:28 by KZCafeChickNJ.

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Kidkawie
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I bleed premix

28 Sep 2015 04:39 #692265 by Kidkawie

Replied by Kidkawie on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

Great progress so far!

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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531blackbanshee
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28 Sep 2015 06:59 #692296 by 531blackbanshee

Replied by 531blackbanshee on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

cool lookin lil build.
love all the fab work.
keep us posted,

leon

skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!

billybiltit.blogspot.com/

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0

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KZCafeChickNJ
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30 Sep 2015 04:43 #692584 by KZCafeChickNJ

Replied by KZCafeChickNJ on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

Thanks guys. Just a few more little things to do on the frame (finish welding the upper shock mounts, weld in the relocated brake light switch tab, weld in the battery tray, smooth all of the rough factory welds, sand all the tab grinding spots, etc) and the frame will be ready for sandblasting and powder coating.

The new pop up gas cap should be here by the end of the week, so I hope to have that done and the repair panel welded in the tank this weekend as well. Then comes TIGging the remainder of the seat/tail, bodywork on it and finishing the bodywork on the tank and they'll be ready for paint.

Then the project will slow down, basically to a stand-still, til around mid-winter when I'll pick it back up again, rebuild the motor and have the bike ready for spring.

1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer
1978 KZ650SR

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ThatGPzGuy
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More Sparky than Speed Racer

30 Sep 2015 06:21 #692594 by ThatGPzGuy

Replied by ThatGPzGuy on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

KZCafeChickNJ wrote: Then the project will slow down, basically to a stand-still, til around mid-winter when I'll pick it back up again, rebuild the motor and have the bike ready for spring.

Really liking this build. I don't think I can wait until Spring...

Jim
North GA
2016 Yamaha FJR1300ES
1982 GPz750 R1
1974 Kawasaki H1
1976 Kawasaki KZ400
1979 Yamaha XS650 cafe'
2001 KZ1000P
2001 Yamaha YZ426
1981 Honda XR200 stroked in an '89 CR125 chassis
1965 Mustang
1967 Triumph GT6
1976 Bronco
"If you didn't build it, it's not really yours"

The following user(s) said Thank You: KZCafeChickNJ

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KZCafeChickNJ
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30 Sep 2015 06:41 #692599 by KZCafeChickNJ

Replied by KZCafeChickNJ on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

ThatGPzGuy wrote:
KZCafeChickNJ wrote: Then the project will slow down, basically to a stand-still, til around mid-winter when I'll pick it back up again, rebuild the motor and have the bike ready for spring.

Really liking this build. I don't think I can wait until Spring...

Thanks! I don't know if I can either...

1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer
1978 KZ650SR

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Kwaker2000
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30 Sep 2015 11:05 #692630 by Kwaker2000

Replied by Kwaker2000 on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

nice to see someone do a proper job its coming along nicely ,im sure she will look great when you finish her ,keep the pics coming

The following user(s) said Thank You: KZCafeChickNJ

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KZCafeChickNJ
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30 Sep 2015 12:04 #692639 by KZCafeChickNJ

Replied by KZCafeChickNJ on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

Kwaker2000 wrote: nice to see someone do a proper job its coming along nicely ,im sure she will look great when you finish her ,keep the pics coming

Thank you! That's very nice of you to say. :-)

Stay tuned.

1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer
1978 KZ650SR

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KZCafeChickNJ
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05 Oct 2015 05:52 #693415 by KZCafeChickNJ

Replied by KZCafeChickNJ on topic 1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer Build

Just a very small update.

1. Old gas cap area cut out
2. Patch panel rough cut and rough bent
3. Battery tray cut, bent and fitted
4. Holes drilled to spot weld a support piece under the new gas cap panel
5. Hole drilled for new pop up gas cap
6. Steel bung welded from the underside and soldered to repair panel
7. Panel massaged and fitted
8. Side view. I like this so much better than the clunky stock cap that stuck up so high. I just have to weld the panel to the tank and do some light body work to complete it.

1974 KZ400 Cafe Racer
1978 KZ650SR

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