Doctorot's '78 KZ1000 build

That is a real shame after so much work but I guess the risk is always there from factors beyond our control. Main thing is that you are ok, the rest is repairable.

Glad to hear you're alright.  Also glad to see you didn't damage that magnificent paint job.

Webike is amazing. I ordered this on Tuesday. Shipping was only $22 from Japan. Got here today. Interesting how the casting evolved since the last one. The bosses around the bolt holes are thicker and it seems beefier overall. 

Your old one looks like it's lost a little weight!

I've had same week delivery from Webike too.  They are the Amazon of motorcycle parts.

I have wanted clear turn signal lenses for a while but i couldn't find any offered for these turn signals so.... I modeled a new turn signal lens. My friend printed em up on his desktop resin printer. I then polished the exterior on the lathe. Its amazing how far this technology has come in the last few years.

 

Nice looking piece's

Awesome work!

Tinting that clear resin with red, green, blue or amber will allow re-manufacture of just about any automotive lens, and indeed those pesky neutral indicator lenses that fade from green to nasty brown!

As far as 3-D printing goes, I believe the adage: "You 'aint seen nothin' yet" holds true!

3-D printing Titanium, Stainless Steel or Brass is now commonplace, albeit with a different process.
Although currently, the cost of these metal printing machines is prohibitive for DIY, I believe prices will eventually reduce such that we will have them in our man-caves!

I was thinking about what we are doing... keeping "old-school" machines running, looking as good as new (as far as possible), and riding them for the pure joy of it... 
Do you think the youth of today will do the same, with the "current models", in 40 to 50 years from now?
Somehow, sadly, I think not.




 

wrote:

Awesome work!

T
Do you think the youth of today will do the same, with the "current models", in 40 to 50 years from now?
Somehow, sadly, I think not.






 

Unfortunately I would agree with you, for a while now we have lived in a "throw away" society. Many of the apprentices we teach have never held a tool, where we learnt from our fathers these guys have grown up with fathers who "buy new" or "get someone in" rather than repair anything

I doubt if you told most people in 1978 that these bikes would be collectable anyone would believe you. Its funny how cultural attitudes shift.

I think there will always be a category of people who want what they couldn't afford when they were younger and/or want something that reminds them of when they were young. 

My ZX-6R isn't rare or desirable, but it's the shape of the bikes I lusted after when I was a kid (way back in the early 2000s). I don't envision it being a classic like KZs, but you know what I mean.

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Back in action - new improved extra black formula.

 

Nice! and the turn signals are class, modern solution to an old problem.