under construction, 1981 kz 750

[jimmyb]

Well this is what I'm working on at this time. I do not have a shop. I work on a concrete slab in the back yard for now. This is a 1981 kawasaki kz 750, 6" stretch on the swing axle and raked the neck. The mono shock is off of a 86 honda 250 dual sport. Front forks and wheel are honda 250 also, triple tree is off of a 84 yamaha xs 650. I made the seat pan at work and the mount is leaf spring from a golf cart. The head light is an old building light and an old car bulb fits perfectly. Axle to axle is about 76". Hopefully the engine will go in today. So what ya think, will it fly?

[mumbles]

It will defenatly fly. LOL I like it.

Love the way you did the mono-shock set-up and the seat. Where is the battery and electrics gonna go?
The front fender on the rear looks good. She is screaming for a different kind of handlebars, though. But the headlight looks dope. : )

Also, is the neck brace pretty strong where it's welded at or coud you have welded a plate where the bottom tubes bend forward.

[jimmyb]

The electronics will go behind the engine in a box that I fabbed up, as for the battery, not sure yet. The engine is in now, and the elec. box fits perfect, I need to find a battery that is small, but has the cranking power I need to turn the bike over. The handle bars have already been changed, those in the pic were just to roll it around with. The new bars set up higher, and narrower. The headlight is suppost to represent the old style that bikes had in the early 1900's, large and high, also it will have a screen on the front. We'll see after the tank and light are painted. The neck has a gusset under the back bone, that is where most of the tension and weight is, according to a friend that worked at Denvers choppers when they used to be in San Bernardino many years ago. But again we'll see what happens, hopfully there will be no problems. Thanks Mubbles for checking out the bike and giving your opinion, I wish more would, being my first custom. Been around bikes all my life, first time I built one like this. Also would like to see a pic of your honda, the spirit is a cool bike. Thanks again.

[mumbles]

Go to an all battery store like Batteries Plus battery store - All your battery needs for Laptop, camera, cell phone, camcorder, SLA, batteries recycling and much more and they should be able to help you on choosing a small one but with enough cranking power.
Love the headlight too. Small stuff like this looks pretty easy to make fit but I know it can get frustrating some time. You got a big project ahead but it seems like you're knocking it out pretty good. Keep us posted on how she's coming along.

I'll try to post a pic of the Spirit 750. Got her on a trade just the way she is.


Also go to KZrider.com - Home and there are alot more folks with these types of bikes.

[jimmyb]

I really like the honda. It looks real good the way it's set up. The electrical box is done, I just need to install it. I picked up a battery that is smaller and has the cranking power I need. Welded on the coil brackets, primed and painted the brackets. Right now we are having a heat wave of over 100 degrees weather. No fun working on the bike after work in this weather. Will wait till this weekend to continue, in the cool morning. I'm not even riding the road star to work, it's like driving in a blast furnace. I post some pics after this weekend.

[oldkzrules]

That is going to be an awesome custom Jimmy. I can't wait to see more pics of it. Are you going in with the 650 motor on it? I am considering trying to customize my 550 but not exactly sure what everyone's impression will be, not that I really care, but I digress. I am curious to see if there are any cruiser style bikes that don't have the V twin motor.

[jimmyb]

Thanks, I'm putting the kz 750 engine in. The bike was a stock kz 750. I really like the inline 4 cylinder style engines. The 550 that you have is a nice bike to work with and it's pretty easy to make the changes that would give you the look you may want. The green 83 kz 750 that I built was my first build. To lower the bike I removed the shocks and replaced them with 9" struts that I made. When you remove the shocks, the bike will drop down onto the tire. Brace it up with something between the fender and tire, at the hight that you what the bike to set at. Then cut and drill your struts to fit. I remove the whole fender (plastic and metal) and the set the bike where I wanted to be. And then used the chrome part of the fender. There are different ways you could do this. I made my struts out of 3/4" steel round stock with tubing welded onto both ends, you can also use 3/8"X 1" flat stock and just drill your holes to fit the shock mounts. I had also cut off the back part of the frame just behind the shock mounts. I hope this helps, let me know how it goes.

[meanmachinist]

Did you buy the swing arm or make it? Wanting to know cause a guy that I work with has a 750 spec. for sale for 500 and I would love to do a project like this.
That is gonna be a killer bike when done. Please post more pics with the new bars and engine in. Good work so far. And the 83 LTD you did was great too.

[jimmyb]

Thanks, the swing arm I extended my self. If you do this, you need to make a jig to hold the swing arm straight. This is the first time I've gone this far on a build. Hope it rides ok. The engine is in and the electrical box is in. The battery box bracket is welded on. The exhaust header pipes just came in the mail, (ebay find). I'll be busy this weekend. Hope to put up some pics this weekend. That sounds like a good deal on the 750 spec if it runs good. I paid $500. for my 81 that I'm working on. And it hauled ***. It just leaked oil and looked like hell. I fixed the leaks when I had the engine out. The bike came with a new gasket kit. So far I'm only into the bike for about $700. total. All the parts were donated by friends who had the stuff laying around and were happy to get rid of it. The only reason I went with the honda front end so I could have a 21" wheel and it was free.If you decide to do the build, use your imagination and make it the way you want it. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes. If I can help with anything, let me know. good luck.

[raymo]

I like it man.

[meanmachinist]

I'm thinking of doing a pro street rigid and may even go as far as a springer front end. Should be fun to ride when done and not too many like it.

[meanmachinist]

Oh well, my build is off for now. He sold the bike last night AFTER I offered him 250.00 now and 250.00 in two weeks. Guess co-workers aren't as reliable as I thought. No biggie, I'll find the right one sooner or later.