Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#16

Post by Whiskerfish »

Got to love the throttle response of FI.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#17

Post by wingrider »

Link works for me now too....sounds great!
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#18

Post by desertrefugee »

Really sorry for the non-Honda content here. But you guys are like family. I did go to breakfast on the 78 this morning if that counts.

I thought maybe that I would just throw up a few final shots in a couple of months or whatever it takes on this build, but figured significant shots on the thread every now and then might be newsworthy. If so, then this is significant because I think I found the PERFECT seat.

Cast off from a 2017 Softail:
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#19

Post by Buli »

Look nice. Good luck
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#20

Post by desertrefugee »

Took a trip to the cycle salvage yard today. Brought home a couple of bits and I’m very unhappy with the look. I may have to go back to the drawing board - this thing looks just a little to stubby. Need a little more length on this tail I think. Plus the tank is sitting about an inch or an inch and a half higher than it will be normally.

In fact, I think it’s that seat that I liked so much that’s throwing everything off.

Sheesh. All I want to do is ride the darn thing… And then sell it.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#21

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Yeah, the lack of a passenger seat on a frame built to include one seems to be throwing everything off. The tank has potential, and if you move the tail back a foot or so it should tie things together better.

You'll need something to fill the gap, obviously. Either seat or full fender, not sure what would work better.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#22

Post by robin1731 »

Tail section from a 76 KZ900 would work better I think. Longer and has more of a Kawasaki look than the GPZ style tail you have. IMO

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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#23

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Of course, another option is to ditch the tail piece and install a couple full fenders to fill in the gap. Maybe incorporate the tail piece into the fender near the "proper" position (rear near-flush to the back of the wheel) if you want to keep the KZ look. Can't speak for the Voyager, but the KZ1300 is a LOOONG bike.

At this point all my recommendations are personal aesthetic opinions. Obviously, you do you.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
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1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#24

Post by desertrefugee »

I really need to get this thing out of the way so I can focus on the 78 super sport that I have waiting in the wings. I’m looking forward to that one. But his Kawasaki has some serious potential to be a serious urban bruiser.

But lacking some of the creative and technical skills many of the builders around here have, I am struggling with this thing. Even with off-the-shelf parts. I thought I had chosen some nice pieces, but in committing to using them I have painted myself into a corner a bit - but I’m trying not to buy things more than once if possible. The tail section in particular has caused me some scrap, but I’m hoping that it will be worth it.

Anyway, I picked up a rear fender from a Vulcan, and thought I was going to have to scrap yet another experiment. But I hacked about 8 inches off of it, and I think it just might work. Put it this way, it’s going to work because that’s what I’m putting it together with. Dan mentioned the aesthetic need to lower the fuel tank some, but the bottom of that thing has already been heavily “modified” and I can’t get it to ride any lower. It’s just a fundamental incompatibility between the tank and frame. Trust me when I tell you, there are not many options for tanks that will fit this frame. I regret it, and may eventually change seats, but it’s gonna have to be like this for a while.

So, I am going to finalize the mounting approach for seat and fender, clean up some imperfections, get my return line bung welded to a plate for the fuel tank, and send these pieces off of paint. Corvette Red. There are a few more electrical bits to tidy up, deal with the handlebars, and it will be close to being done. Way quicker than I expected.

Of course I may be counting my chickens before they hatch… But that’s the plan.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#25

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It's not a bad look at all. Once it's painted I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of the "issue" areas get tied together, visually.

I figure it's close enough to finish the details and, to coin a phrase, "ride the darned thing". ;)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#26

Post by desertrefugee »

Nothing like fresh paint to ratchet up the excitement factor a bit. And remind me that I’ve still got a few things to button up before final assembly. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel on this one! Then I turn my attention to the Hondas.

Here’s a preview.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#27

Post by calif wingnut »

87 Magna with great looks and seat/fender combo :<)
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#28

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Waiting with bated breath.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#29

Post by desertrefugee »

It’s not really ready for final assembly, but could not resist sitting some pieces on to see how it looks. Hate the gap between tank and seat. Will be looking for an alternative. And one with a pillion pad or contoured one-piece.

Still need risers and bars. For now, I’ll be trimming about 5 inches off the stock bars. A few new connectors. Two inline fuses. Mirrors...and fork seals.
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Re: Another 6 Cylinder Kawasaki

#30

Post by Lucien Harpress »

That's going to be a SHARP looking bike. Not many people do custom work to these bike either (understandable, due to complexity and rarity), so it's got that going for it too.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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