Author Topic: KZ440 Bobber (kinda) Project (Read 15365 times)

mlinder · « **on:** November 20, 2008, 06:17:55 AM »

So Prosolar and I needed to build a bike for a 5 foot tall new rider.

I didnt have any bikes she could reach the ground on, and all prosolar had that she could fit on was a KZ440.

But the KZ440 is freakin ugly. So we worked on it.

Here it is so far. It will be done in automotive flat black with white pin stripes. I left the rear suspension on instead of a hardtail because shes a new rider, and doesnt need to be riding a hardtail. Actually, the springs are upgraded. From a KZ650.
Still lots of things to do, but close to done. I think Prosolar will finish it before I get back to Portland.

(Not beautiful, I know, but remember what they look like stock...http://londonbikers.com/forums/Uploads/Images/2eea6367-845d-46b1-80c5-adff.JPG)

tortelvis · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:36:57 AM »

You sure that seat's not too thick for a short arse?

Looks better than stock for sure!

mlinder · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2008, 11:40:28 AM »

Yeah she fits fine. It's no thicker than stock, and compresses when you sit on it.It's actually pretty comfortable.
Also, you cant tell without a rider on it, but the bike is SMALL. Looks bigger with no one around it.
Taught her to ride on a cb350f. Poor girl had to tiptoe at stops. The 440 has a much lower saddle height.

dusterdude · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:30:49 PM »

back in the early 80`s a buddy of mine had an ltd440,a very nice ride indeed.

mlinder · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2008, 12:36:04 PM »

Thats what this is.

Bulletproof, but ugly as sin.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2008, 12:20:39 AM »

I think I have an original Drag Specialties Chrome Motor mount kit for that around here somewhere.....

Nice 440!!!

Last one I saw was in for service.... I work at a Kawi Dealer.... looked beat to crap, but still ran like a top. Hope she likes it. Looks TONS better now!!

mlinder · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:13:59 AM »

So, I was in a accident, as many of you know, and was down for a long time, so I hadn't worked on this bike at all.
Now I'm back and have a shop, and I'm working on finishing this bike for my friend.

A month ago or so, we put ina battery and tried to start her up. She just made huge backfires.
I said "man, sounds like timing is way out..."
But wtf, it's a 360 degree twin, we've never had the ignition rotor out, and the ignition timing is not adjustable. How can it be out?
Well, at some point, somone had pulled the ignition rotor, and re-installed it 180 degrees out. On a whim, I pulled it and stuck it back in 180 degrees.
Bastard started right up.
Heres video of it running, without mufflers:

http://www.hondatwins.com/junk/440.avi

This is a quick little bastard.

I grabbed a handful of throttle, and she actually crossed up on me a little bit on it's very quick trip to about 45mph in the parking lot. I don't know what it weighs now, but it isn't very much, a lot has been removed or cut off. stock is sub 400lbs, and I really dunno how much weight I've removed. Acceleration was very surprising to me.

The 650 shocks in the back raise ride height a tiny bit, are nice and stiff, and the front has been lowered a couple inches. It handles really nicely, and she will have no trouble merging on the freeway.
I'm excited to have finally got this thing running, and she will be able to ride soon, which is great.

/edit: Oh yeah, she decided she wants it yellow now... dunno why... but yellow it will be, eventually.

Achmed · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2009, 05:32:43 PM »

Does the bike get lights and turn signals and such (being for a new rider and all)? I know us old timers don't need those silly things...right?

mlinder · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2009, 06:13:17 PM »

Quote from: Achmed on July 26, 2009, 05:32:43 PM

Does the bike get lights and turn signals and such (being for a new rider and all)? I know us old timers don't need those silly things...right?

No.

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2009, 10:30:30 AM »

Looks good man. Especially get the size with someone on it.

I still have the chrome motor mounts if you're in need.

mlinder · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2009, 10:47:43 AM »

Quote from: HavocTurbo on July 27, 2009, 10:30:30 AM

Looks good man. Especially get the size with someone on it.

I still have the chrome motor mounts if you're in need.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Lemme see if she want's em, and I'll let you know!

Ryan 550k · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2009, 11:03:13 AM »

Oh man, it's great to see that thing running!

Yellow huh? Well it's her bike.
I think flat black looks rad.

mlinder · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2009, 11:08:39 AM »

Quote from: R550 on July 27, 2009, 11:03:13 AM

Oh man, it's great to see that thing running!

Yellow huh? Well it's her bike.
I think flat black looks rad.

First time I've really had it out since I moved it into the garage, Ryan, and just guessed at what was wrong with it, and luckily, it panned out.

Yeah, I'm not too keen on yellow for it myself, but she can always rattlecan it back to black if she changes her mind

Hows school goin?

HavocTurbo · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2009, 11:52:52 AM »

You could always do a flat or satin yellow with a gloss black stripe...

That'd be kinda different.

mlinder · « **Reply #14 on:** July 27, 2009, 12:06:27 PM »

Yep. I at least talked her in to flat yellow, but that means I gotta pay a bunch extra to get that done, and I'm not making any money on this build, only spending it.

TheJawsOfDeath · « **Reply #15 on:** July 27, 2009, 08:32:00 PM »

Pretty cool, dude. I actually miss mine, especially since I now have to find my fiancee a motorcycle to ride and the KZ would have been about perfect. I always thought it had potential...sold it to help buy the 750...nice upgrade huh.

let us know how she likes it. and by the way do you have any tips on teaching a girlfriend how to ride bike? i'm nervous as hell about her out there on the road. Should probably teach her how to drive stick in a car first huh.

mlinder · « **Reply #16 on:** July 27, 2009, 09:13:57 PM »

Yeah, learning how a clutch works when you cant fall over and have a bike fall on you is a pretty good idea...
Uta, who the bike is for, drives a stick already, and shes kind of a natural, she did really well.
Most important, in my opinion, is learning that the clutch can save her ass if she gets out of control. Just tell her she can pull the clutch in, and power stops going to the wheel.
Made the mistake of not telling my ex that. It fell on her. She never tried to ride again.

How tall is your girlfriend?

mrbreeze · « **Reply #17 on:** July 27, 2009, 09:47:26 PM »

Wow!!!!!!!...you are on to something BIG here!!!!!!!......It's great when your lady is a natural...................BUTT!!!!!!!.....when they have "NO" concept of the "ART" of driving....(ANYTHING!!!!!)........thats when sh!t goes south!!!!

mlinder · « **Reply #18 on:** July 28, 2009, 06:43:39 AM »

Oh, Uta's not my lady, she's a friend. She is cute as a button, though.

As motorcycle riders, we have a natural and long practiced habit of using the clutch as a throttle-modulator. Lots of peopel who drive cars don't. It's just what they use to change gears with. Driving home to them that they can use it to stop power from going to the wheel can help them get out of bad situations.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #19 on:** July 28, 2009, 11:42:41 AM »

I hear ya!!

coldright · « **Reply #20 on:** July 29, 2009, 09:36:01 PM »

Here's another shot of Uta's bike.

mikethejeepguy · « **Reply #21 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:03:03 PM »

A buddy of mine has a LTD 750 and I gotta say, the 80's were not kind to design of virtually any vehicle. I was telling him to do this to it... Some inspiration? This one turned out nice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O8ji0axh4Y

He's building a KZ1000 now.

mlinder · « **Reply #22 on:** July 30, 2009, 02:24:51 PM »

Looks a lot like the one I'm building

Well, I mean, you can only do so much....

Dawdlin Dog · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2009, 04:21:37 AM »

My wife has one of these. I wont type exactly what she said but I think she prefers the stock look

Keep up the work, they are good engines and it's great to see an old bike being brought back to life in any form.

mlinder · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2009, 07:09:16 AM »

Quote from: Dawdlin Dog on August 04, 2009, 04:21:37 AM

My wife has one of these. I wont type exactly what she said but I think she prefers the stock look

Keep up the work, they are good engines and it's great to see an old bike being brought back to life in any form.

Tell your wife, no accounting for taste

News:

Author Topic: KZ440 Bobber (kinda) Project (Read 15365 times)

Ryan 550k