Another Kawasaki Project !

CAT3

CAT3

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Bought this last week as a bit of a project !!
I've always liked them when they first came out & thought it would be quite nice to make it look a little more like my '76 version !!
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How long that takes & exactly how many of my planned mods get done is anybodies guess !;)
 
Exige said:
Isn’t this finished yet 🤷‍♂️ 👀
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That's rich, pot, kettle !? 🤣

The plan includes fitting a pair of RWU Ohlins, Maxton rear shock, OZ Gass wheels & a repaint in the style of either a Z1A or B, unsure of the exact colours yet though. Obviously the fork swop will be the biggest job, I could go down the easy sleeve route, as in making some sleeves to pack the yokes from the current 53mm diameter down to the 43mm diameter of the RWU Ohlins, but I prefer the route of getting new yokes made that will also retain all the standard barts like the ignition switch, clocks, etc.
I've also not decided what front brake calipers to use either or discs other than they won't be the original parts. The exhaust will also come in for a bit of modification, I've got a short LeoVince titanium can to go on. Hopefully it won't be too loud & I get some headers made up at some point to get rid of the massive exhaust box thing under the engine currently. Whether that will need a remap I've not looked into yet either. Because the weather has been so crap lately I've only had two very little rides on the standard bike so far, less than 100 yards in total I'd guess, but it is one hell of a lot quicker than my '76 version !! :ROFLMAO:
 
CAT3 said:
That's rich, pot, kettle !? 🤣

The plan includes fitting a pair of RWU Ohlins, Maxton rear shock, OZ Gass wheels & a repaint in the style of either a Z1A or B, unsure of the exact colours yet though. Obviously the fork swop will be the biggest job, I could go down the easy sleeve route, as in making some sleeves to pack the yokes from the current 53mm diameter down to the 43mm diameter of the RWU Ohlins, but I prefer the route of getting new yokes made that will also retain all the standard barts like the ignition switch, clocks, etc.
I've also not decided what front brake calipers to use either or discs other than they won't be the original parts. The exhaust will also come in for a bit of modification, I've got a short LeoVince titanium can to go on. Hopefully it won't be too loud & I get some headers made up at some point to get rid of the massive exhaust box thing under the engine currently. Whether that will need a remap I've not looked into yet either. Because the weather has been so crap lately I've only had two very little rides on the standard bike so far, less than 100 yards in total I'd guess, but it is one hell of a lot quicker than my '76 version !! :ROFLMAO:
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The Z1B in blue is a lovely colour scheme.

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I think making it twin shock rear would be a massive upgrade if you can pull it off. If I had one, I would love to explore that possibility. It would look a proper classic, especially with the 70's paintwork.

My ZRX1200 was converted to an Ohlins monoshock cos I like to be different, but I have kept my '77 Z650 with twin shocks and fatter wheels with better brakes. Classic looks, modern chassis, braking and handling.

I just cannot stop tweaking that one, this is its current incarnation I changed it to this afternoon, I still have some more ideas tho :D

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I have yet to see the later Z900 with twin shocks, it would give a unique look if you could pull it off :) .
 
HootOwl said:
I think making it twin shock rear would be a massive upgrade if you can pull it off. If I had one, I would love to explore that possibility. It would look a proper classic, especially with the 70's paintwork.

My ZRX1200 was converted to an Ohlins monoshock cos I like to be different, but I have kept my '77 Z650 with twin shocks and fatter wheels with better brakes. Classic looks, modern chassis, braking and handling.

I just cannot stop tweaking that one, this is its current incarnation I changed it to this afternoon, I still have some more ideas tho :D

y95qXLg.jpg


I have yet to see the later Z900 with twin shocks, it would give a unique look if you could pull it off :) .
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and another...

www.returnofthecaferacers.com

KZ1000R Style - Doremi reimagines the Z900RS

Doremi Collection have taken Kawasaki's sport heritage Z900RS Cafe and created this acurate recreation of an 80s Kawasaki Z1000R ELR.
www.returnofthecaferacers.com www.returnofthecaferacers.com
 
I wrote the above post & forgot to post it !! It's my birthday today & I'm even older than I was before :cry:

Exi, I am LIKING that (y) Logging out now to go on the K-Factory web site !!
 
That twinshock conversion looks every bit as good as I thought it would.

It'll be expensive going the doremi/k-factory route, but stainless top shock mounts are very readily available that will weld to the frame (and not expensive).

Most swing arms can be grafted in with a bit of work, even if the OEM cant take bottom mounts (which are also very readily available).

Look on the Butchered Classics site on FB, there are guys that manufacture and sell both mounts ;) Butcheredclassics.com | Facebook

Log in to Facebook Dave Solomon in the group is just one seller

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Some carbon bling was delivered this morning so I put a couple of bits on, the two front frame covers. Oh I do like a bit of carbon bling !! :love:
The right-hand side, before & after ........
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And the left-hand side,

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I'm going to leave the clocks cover for a warmer day, too cold for double sided tape & my fingers today !! :ROFLMAO:
 
For your Headers have a look at Lextek. Very high quality finish/welds.

If you go down that path you will need the bike dynotuned - go with Woolich software.
 
Cheers Everclear, hopefully the exhaust will come in for some scrutiny at some point. It looks to be a hefty lump when you have a look under the engine & I'm guessing carries a hefty weight tag !!

From what I read on the Z900RS forum there seems to be a number of software options, when I get round to looking at the exhaust I'll have to do some proper research on the subject.
 
Fitted the gear lever support bracket today, that's been sat on my bench for ages !
To be honest I've not had an issue with missed gears, but it appears many have on the Z900RS forum that I frequent. When I looked at the gear shaft/lever assembly I thought it could benefit from a little extra support so I bought one in readiness. Anyway, it's fitted now whether I needed it or not !;)

This is the "before" picture,
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With the gear lever disconnected & the cover mounting bolts removed,
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The shaft support greased & located in position,
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And tightened up & gear lever refitted,
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Got rid of the pipe that's been sat on a shelf in my garage for months today. I thought it might have been a bit loud when I was fitting it & comparing it to the original. However, to my 60+ year old hearing it's no different !! Off up the Cat & Fiddle now !! :ROFLMAO:

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Hopefully the OZ wheels will be the next little job 🤞
 
CAT3 said:
Got rid of the pipe that's been sat on a shelf in my garage for months today. I thought it might have been a bit loud when I was fitting it & comparing it to the original. However, to my 60+ year old hearing it's no different !! Off up the Cat & Fiddle now !! :ROFLMAO:

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Hopefully the OZ wheels will be the next little job 🤞
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I love the bike one of the truly rite looking retros 👌
 
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