kz650 chopper

Alright fellow kz riders this where I'm at DECISION TIME! On a budget.. looking at 3 possible directions that wont brake the bank and send me out of my time line. Which is May. lol
1)I'm thinking of changing my front end, I wanted shorter forks updated suspension looking at a gsxr conversion. I'm already changing the tank and going to clip on bars which would be included in a new front end swap.
But I'm looking at about 1200.00 to make that happen not bad but the plan is to get the most of 2 grand. ..
The alternative is I keep the front end I have currently add clip on bars slide the fork tubes up past the top tree like they were and keep it moving.

2)Add a air ride suspension seat since it's a rigid and a kz 1000 motor... however how do I know if my frame can handle it it was custom when I got it and the tubing is not thick as you see on some bikes which makes me wonder if it handle the bigger motor.
Thinking this will run a out 200.00 for air ride + motor I'm thinking about a 1,000 and a grand left.for new frame that will take some shopping around but doable...

3) rebuild her as she is keep original tank and have it cloned 650.00. Then have motor bored out and upgraded as much as possible price unknown. Add the Air ride cause that has to happen...add clip on handlebars new tires fresh paint.
650.00+ 500.00+200.00+200.00=1500.00+
This is what she looked like before I started taking her apart.

This is where I'm at now




And potential end result of what I'm looking to do:



What's your thoughts? I will more than likely sell it at some point after riding for a season or 2 so as consumers and customizers which would you rather see.

Caution about spending a lot on it,these projects are really difficult to get your money back, let alone any profit.

I'm not much into chops,but proper custom frame Swedish style is I prefer . the spoked wheels, the paint could colour and design be improved...black is always cool. Forks can be shortened internally.

Whether the frame is strong enough I think if you see cracks forming then that is a warning -there was a thread here recently about just that and a really awesome chop that has taken several rebuilds to get right.

Thanks for the response.... yeah I'm actually going all black on the paint. Just deciding the other options. I don't have much in it now so if I keep it under 2 grand I'll be happy.
I have alot of projects but this one is along time coming and I just want to see it done and on the road but still would like to make it as nice as possible. I would love to see a black mag wheel on there but I'll have to find a set for cheap.
No cracks in the frame just heard someone mention the thin tubing I recently went to a local shop and they use a thin tubing for certain style so before I repaint I'll have inspected to ensure its safe and if I find a kz 1000 it's going in.. lol.

Sweet project! I like where you are going with it.

Thanks!

Is it just me ... am I missing something here?

Where's does the 'rigidity' of that frame come from? - Sure, there are no rear shocks on there but I see no vertical support on the back part of the frame - between the upper and lower rails under the seat section/behind the motor. If there is none, I'd imagine that frame would flex like crazy.

Have you ridden this at all? If so, how does it handle - in a straight line (forget the corners).

Excuse my harsh questions but it looks scary to me. I hope that you really trust whoever welded that frame together.

Edit: I can see the thin tube curving to the back of the seat section, but with nothing else bracing the top and bottom rails together between there and the steering head it looks fragile to say the least. Another concern I'd have is running a chain that length (150-160 links?) without some sort of chain guard. If you've ever had a chain break on you, you'll understand this comment.

If you take a look at the V-Twin that you posted as a 'guideline' for the look that you're going for, there is a big fat downtube right behind the rear cylinder, plus the top motor mounts are bolted directly to the top frame rail, adding rigidity there.

I'm not trying to p*ss on your cornflakes here, I'm just concerned about how roadworthy that set up is.

No to the 1000 motor, and that's most to the added weight of the wngine vs the realism of what you have; light little chopper, and the 650 was already a fast little bike in the first place, you have plenty of motor already.

I have to 2nd what the brit has to say, I would add a brace or two between the front of the gooseneck and more near the end of the backbone, and whip up a mount that bolts to the cam cover and the added brace (if you plan on running a sporty tank with a tunnel (like the black bike pictured. Or at least a post coming from around the area of the seat down to the rear trans mount.

And by air ride do you mean converting to a swingarm setup? If not I would forget the suspension upgrade

Edit; meant to say the kz650 and the 1000 have a triple tube backbone from the factory, might be a reason for that. Seems too thin of tubing for my liking (without knowing thickness/material/grade etc)

This was part of my concern unfortunately I can't say I trust the builder didn't know him I just know it who I purchased it from which was a builder out of Lynchburg Va who had a very well known shop had a tv series for a while and built very nice bikes before ownership split.
When I 1st got it I was going to rebuild with my son he lost interest and it set for a while now I want to get it on the road as an alternate to my other ride. I will more than likely take the frame in to a local shop and have checked out before painting. I think you right about the rear bracing I'm a big guy so I definitely want to make sure it's safe.
Not sure about the chain though never had one break on me so really wasn't on the radar.

Add one more option...

4) sell bike and move on before getting killed.

The front end tubing supporting the steering neck is way too small. Looks like the front end off some old Schwinn bicycle. No way I'd endorse riding that thing.

That frame looks like it was built to handle a 50cc engine, not a 650cc engine; and certainly not a 1000cc engine. Not only is it far too spindly, the steering neck looks like it is held on by faith alone. Death trap.

There are good reasons why Kawasaki built frames and attached steering necks the way the did on the KZ650. They were not simply trying to rid their country of excess steel. Ed