KZ440 rat bobber.....

[antiq]

Even if it is comfy to ride. I'll pass on riding any bike w/o a front brake.

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by antiq

Even if it is comfy to ride. I'll pass on riding any bike w/o a front brake.

I hear ya....I make sure I scan WELL ahead and make plans when riding it. Whats even worse is its a DAMN good rear brake....IE when you tickle it even a titch to hard it locks.....which is REALLY easy to do with no rear suspension.

[herk]

By any chance have you taken the rear wheel apart?
Any idea how old the brake shoes are?

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by herk

By any chance have you taken the rear wheel apart?
Any idea how old the brake shoes are?

I havent took the wheel apart and for all I know they are the original shoes.....there is no speedometer or odometer so I have NO clue how many miles are on the bike or the equipment.

[herk]

I'm no expert but I'd venture to guess that something isn't right w the rear brake.
I would install new shoes & set/adjust the brake as per the manual. The glue that binds the lining to the shoe can fail over time: the lining can come off & get jammed between the shoe & drum, locking the rear wheel. It happened to me when rolling the bike off the centerstand - very lucky - I'd hate to have it happen at speed or in traffic.

[chase.howe]

YouTube - kz440 bobber project


That is a vid of my bike so far.. and in the comments is what i have done

[Infektid]

Nice bobber Arron. Out of curiosity, Who did the paint?

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by Infektid

Nice bobber Arron. Out of curiosity, Who did the paint?

It just flat black with a sticker......the previous owners did it for the most part.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by antiq

Even if it is comfy to ride. I'll pass on riding any bike w/o a front brake.

Originally Posted by aaronrkelly

I hear ya....I make sure I scan WELL ahead and make plans when riding it.

It doesn't matter how far you scan ahead, sooner or later that idiot sitting at a side street/driveway/parking lot exit etc, that thinks his cell phone conversation is more important than driving safety, is going to pull out in front of you at a point where your rear brake isn't going to have enough stopping power. My own cousin did this to me once while I was riding 2 up. She saw me at the last second then did a panic stop with the car across both lanes where swerving wasn't even an option.

I'm all for looks but not at the expense of safety on a bike.

[Infektid]

Originally Posted by StarGate

It doesn't matter how far you scan ahead, sooner or later that idiot sitting at a side street/driveway/parking lot exit etc, that thinks his cell phone conversation is more important than driving safety, is going to pull out in front of you at a point where your rear brake isn't going to have enough stopping power. My own cousin did this to me once while I was riding 2 up. She saw me at the last second then did a panic stop with the car across both lanes where swerving wasn't even an option.

I'm all for looks but not at the expense of safety on a bike.

I'm in the process of building an anti-vehicle turret for my bobber... I'm not too worried.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by Infektid

I'm not too worried.

Most cemetery's are full of people that weren't too worried.

[83 LTD 440]

I kind of like the look. Personally I'd do something more in black with the rims. I do agree with the brake not looking right. Makes me want to cut my 440 up, but need to keep it stock for my son. Anyhow, interesting straight handle bars. I'd probably do the apes there.

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by StarGate

It doesn't matter how far you scan ahead, sooner or later that idiot sitting at a side street/driveway/parking lot exit etc, that thinks his cell phone conversation is more important than driving safety, is going to pull out in front of you at a point where your rear brake isn't going to have enough stopping power.

I'm all for looks but not at the expense of safety on a bike.

While Im not advocating everyone tearing the front brake off their scoots but what you just said happens all the time to people that have both front and rear brakes.

Its all about your level of comfort.....to me the lack of front brake, coupled with the relative few miles I put on this bike and the environment I ride it.....its not a problem.

To you it may be a problem.

[Infektid]

Here are a few shots of the Kz440 Bobber that I have been working on.

[Va.Xer]

Chase howe...Question for ya How in the hell do you mount the stock tail assembly to the side..Looked good and my son and I want to give it a try. Any info or pics would be helpfull

Skip

[Infektid]

In case anyone cares. Aaron's bike was in The Horse magazine. #92 October 2009

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by Infektid

In case anyone cares. Aaron's bike was in The Horse magazine. #92 October 2009

Thanks for noticing....had a local builder actually call and tell me about it. He gets his issues way earlier then news stand. Had to wait 2 weeks before I got my copy.

[danielroca]

i like your look a lot. Totally different take on that bike than anything I had in mind. but i like it a lot.

[aaronrkelly]

damn pictures keeping getting screwy....here is a couple.

[danielroca]

mean looking bike.

but is it me or does that top picture look like there's a glowing gas mask under the seat. ha. maybe i'm just an idiot.