1981 KZ440 LTD - Project

I was hesitant to post pics and progress of my project due to the fact that at age 43, this is my very first motorcycle. Also I know very little about bikes. Then I got to thinking that maybe someone else may come along with a similar build and be able to learn from my mistakes..lol.

My dad was able to snatch up this bike for free from an older gentleman that had bought it new in 81.









It had sit outside covered up for several years because the gentleman couldn't get it running. My dad being the wheeler dealer that he is thought that at the very least he could make a couple hundred dollars off of it. He began to tell me over breakfast one day that he got it and the more he talked about it the more interested I became. I've always wanted a bike but never really had an opportunity to purchase one. So when my dad said he'd sell it to me for $100 I jumped on it. I figure for the price it will be a fun project regardless if it comes out looking and running like a turd.

I knew I wanted to customize the bike but had a hard time deciding which direction to go. I'm not a huge fan of the flat seat and clubman type handlebars so I've decided to shorten rear seat and hoop and go with a simple "Street" series bars.







I will post more pics as progress is made and hope to learn something along the way. Thanks for looking.

Welcome! And good on you for posting your project. I was about 42 when I picked up my first bike, a 76 KZ400 and I knew next to nothing about motorcycles though I had been around them my whole life - my dad and brothers all had bikes. I have learned a lot over the past few years both from reading on this and other forums and through experience working on my bikes, sometimes through trial and error. I've learned enough that I can occasionally help provide an answer to someone else here and there.

Looks like you are well on your way. Keep up the good work and keep posting (especially pics - we love pics!).

Well even after masking the frame prior to mounting the motor, I still managed to destroy the paint job. Oh well it's in.




I'm in the process of doing a single carb conversion with the 11th Hour Industries manifold and a Mikuni VM 34 Carb. I've seen this setup installed on the same type/model of bike but can't seem to figure out why mine doesn't seem to mount correctly. As you can see below in the pics I am having clearance issues with the top of the carb being too close to the backbone of the bike. It's all I can do to get the carb to connect to the hose without too much angle. Anyone with this similar setup able to provide some clarity? Thanks in advance.

Maybe a stupid idea but did you try flipping the manifold the other way round??

Well the flanges are rotated a bit so it only mounts one way. I'm wondering if the flanges or pipes were welded incorrectly as if they are causing the collector portion to angle up a bit instead of down. I just happened to see this note on 11th Hours website regarding the manifold:

*NOTE* The center exit style of this manifold may require some trimming to the backbone of your frame due to interference with the top cap on some carburetors.

Looks like I may be making some mods.

Just stabbing in the dark here but what if you extend the hose a bit. It looks pretty flexable. Maybe with a simple bracket,mounted on the carb which butts against the frame to hold it in position( or mounted on the frame,butting against the carb).Would that work?
I imagine the important thing is to have the carb sitting level and have no fouling on the cable.
By the look of the frame backbone,it shouldnt be too difiicult to trim a bit off the end to give you a bit more space.

That may be an option. The only bad thing is that I'm already into the front side of fuel tank bracket.

Do you have any news on this Project?

Regards
MIchael

Well I haven't had much time since Christmas to work on the bike but I was able to get the bike fired up. The backbone of the frame had to be notched in order to get the carb mounted. I hope to get the tank cleaned soon and do some adjustments on the carb once it warms up.