'78 KZ1000 makeover

Well, the work hardening of the material explains a lot. I think I'll buy 2 new bolts and start over. I'm already running my lathe as slow as it will go (not a whole lot of options with h.f. products), so I'll make it work. The pic wasn't centered, but I will double check. I might not be able to make them symmetrical since the frame isn't, but I'll do my best. The profile pic is a weird angle, so it's hard to see the bottom. I was concerned about that bottom mount while first mocking it up, but there is enough room for just about any fastener I could want and in the stock location. I'll take a better pic of it when I mock up the carbon cover.

I forgot that your frame isn't symmetrical. You may have to put the tire in there and just center the side covers on the back tire. That is the first thing that I notice when I look at a bike from the back. I think that your minimalist sub-frame could make the position of the side covers more obvious. Are you still planning on a under tail exhaust? That makes for a lot of elements on the center line of the bike. With one notable exception.

On to the bolts. If you can't slow down any more, then just use my suggestion for drilling to the finished size. Try to flood the drill with coolant if possible. It would be even better if you could get a steady stream of coolant going. I realize that this is difficult since your lathe doesn't have a catch pan or a coolant pump. You could also get a solid carbide drill :laugh: $$$$$$ If it got that far I would think it cheaper to pay someone like me to solve your problems.

OK, I haven't posted to this thread in a while, mostly because I have been wasting my time remaking body parts I already have

Josh, you were right :blink: the subframe downtubes were not symetrical so I corrected it this afternoon

No, now it's too much the other way....

:laugh:

Looking good!

btw...not sure what you're planning for the 2 holes where the old sub frame was, but they'd make great flag pole holders!

Also for kicks, I tied on a right sidecover and tossed the tank bottom on (why, I don't know). I guess for a little motivation :woohoo:

A little closer...

Those carbon fiber side covers look real good, nice work!

Thanks, although that particular sidecover is a throw away piece :laugh: I put a dent in it while trying to strip the peel ply while it was a bit too green. Works fine for a mock up part though Wait until I get a carbon tail and the tank top on there for a pic :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

79MKII wrote:

No, now it's too much the other way....

:laugh:

Looking good!

btw...not sure what you're planning for the 2 holes where the old sub frame was, but they'd make great flag pole holders!

Thanks, I think it looks OK too

I wasn't planning to take her to the dunes, so I probably won't need a flag, but maybe I should leave one side open, just in case

Nice to see you making some progress on the bike. That sidecover looks killer in the last pic where the dent isn't as noticable. This should come together nicely. Are you really going to do the ghost z1 over carbon fiber paint scheme?

On the paint, I was originally thinking I would just paint it using a Z1 scheme, but I'm tempted to do a ghost version just to see how it turns out. I have been making LOTS of progress, just not on the bikes frame/suspension components

porchev914 wrote:

On the paint, I was originally thinking I would just paint it using a Z1 scheme, but I'm tempted to do a ghost version just to see how it turns out. I have been making LOTS of progress, just not on the bikes frame/suspension components

No doubt.