Saving a '81 KZ750-E

I finally worked out all the spacing issues, along with a more presentable look. The paint is hammertone black. The gauge mount isn't painted yet since I am replacing the speedometer.

Looking good so far and keep going on to finish your bike build timeline for the upcoming spring seasson.

Thanks, Scirocco. I am hoping for a fall completion, but we will see. The new GPS speedometer has been ordered, but won't be here for a week or more. I did just receive my new battery, fronk brake lines, new levers, and some other pits and pieces. So while I wait to finish the gauge cluster, it will be on to the front brakes. Disasseble, clean, paint, and reassemble. I have the handlebar switches apart, so those need a lot of love as well. Some of the switches themselves are stuck, so I am hoping to be able to get them all working again. I plan on spray painting them instead of powder coat as I don't want the text to get filled too much. I will fill in all the letters after paint.

I stopped by an upholstery shop the other day to get that ball rolling. One whole side of the seat foam has been rotted away by the sun. New foam is required. I assumed all upholstery shops could sculpt foam - apparently this is not the case. The most recommended guy for motorcycle seats says he can't sculpt foam? The search continues, but the ball park costs for a custom foam and seat cover is around $250 - 350. Anybody see that GoblinWorks tv show where the guy sculpted his own custom foam seat using layers of yoga mats and some spray adhesive? I was thinking about trying that to see if I could cut down the costs. Just some wandering thoughts...

seat foams not to bad to scuplt i used the blue foam which is firm. roughly cut with a bread knife and the shaped it using a 4 inch grinder with a well worn flappy disc. i have since covered the seat in a thinner less dense foam this does make the grinder dig in

I attached the bottom of the headlight bracket to the lower fork clamp using a 1/8" wall steel angle I had laying around. Now the the fitment is confirmed I will blast and paint it.



Now I am moving on to the front brakes. I picked new brake lines (stock Honda), and will rebuild the calipers with all new pads and seals.



The master has scratches in the paint, and some minor road rash. That will get rebuilt as well. I put the new lever on just to make sure it was the right part.

I managed to remove the side cover emblems without breaking any of the posts. One is faded more than the other, but I plan on repainting both.

I just checked the difference in pricing from the local motorcycle shop vs. Partzilla on the front brake parts I need. I thought they were looking a little pricey on Partzilla, until I called the local shop! Just for the OEM front brake pads, Partzilla is $24 cheaper for both sets than the local shop. I guess I can wait for them to ship...

I went to a local upholstery shop this morning with my seat. It's in worse shape than I thought. Part of the pan is completely rusted through along the edge where the cover attaches. It looks like a common area for rust, as I have seen used seats on Ebay with the same area rusty. I may have to find a good used seat to start over with. The foam is partially gone on mine, and would have to be replaced. I could repair the pan, but it could be more cost effective to use a seat that still has good foam on it and no rust on the pan.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationThese are excellent brake pads (and dirt cheap.) I'm using them and they are quiet and stop well.

Since I am using the front end off a Honda CBR600RR, those won't work for my application. I did some research, and the OEM pads work great and last longer than most aftermarket brands. For super aggressive riding and track use, performance pads will have more stopping power, but wear faster.

I did pick up the rear pads per your recommendation though. Thanks!