Author Topic: The Mosquito! (Kawasaki KZ250) (Read 47341 times)

Scott S · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:26:48 PM »

The seat finally arrived so Dad and I did a little mock up today. Mostly just brain storming and figuring out what we have to do; what to cut, what to keep, what to bend, etc.
Here are a few pics:

Scott S · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2011, 11:55:04 AM »

Been working on the frame. My Dad braced and cut the frame in preparation for straight rails to suit the cafe' seat.
We also removed the "nubs" for the tank mounts and welded in these plates. I forgot to take pics, but we trimmed these rubber stoppers and mounted them to the frame in order to make new tank mounts that fit the TS tank.

Scott S · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2011, 11:59:11 AM »

I found this tip on another forum. Use reinforcement labels to wrap around the spokes (you have to cut a slit in them). This makes it super easy to tape the wheel for paint.
I wasn't worried about overspray on the tires. They're junk and I have new tires on the way.

kirkn · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2011, 01:23:50 PM »

looking good!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #29 on:** February 24, 2011, 02:02:34 PM »

I used to have a Kawi 250 back in Wyoming late 90's. I don't remember what year or what model but it was a 4 stroke 250 single with a high pipe. I gave a dude I worked with $100 for it and I was gonna fix it up (never did). I got it running and rode it around a few times but it needed a clutch so I put it on the back burner and rode my other dirt bike. I remember it was kinda torquee and could bring the front wheel up in the first 2 gears. After that.....slipped like crazy!!! I think that bike sat on the side of the yard for like 3 years and one day a guy I knew was over to the house and was interested in it. I told him he could have it for $100 and it was a done deal!!

Scott S · « **Reply #30 on:** February 24, 2011, 02:14:30 PM »

I've yet to ride this one, or even hear it run. But I have faith!

I'm told they're good for ~70mph and 70 mpg. This one will be stripped down and weigh even less than stock...maybe 250 lbs. wet?

Scott S · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2011, 12:32:38 PM »

Tires showed up today, so we dropped off the rims to have them mounted and balanced.
Cleaned up the brakes, greased all the pivot points, packed the wheel bearings and installed new pads.
Rear:

Front:

Scott S · « **Reply #32 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:27:18 AM »

We changed the fork oil, polished up the lowers and isntalled fork gaitors.

Scott S · « **Reply #33 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:31:40 AM »

Here's a shot of the two frames (one titled, one from a parts bike) showing the changes we made.
In the early '80's, nearly every Japanese motorcycle supplier went for the 'cruiser' look. We had to do some chopping and reinforcing to get the frame level for the cafe' racer look we wanted. It's probably stronger now than before.

Scott S · « **Reply #34 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:33:37 AM »

Here's the coil mount my Dad fabbed up and a shot of the modified tank mounts (to mount the Suzuki TS tank to the KZ frame).

Scott S · « **Reply #35 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:45:38 AM »

Worked on the placement of the electrics. This bike had been left outside, unprotected, for who know's how long. The P.O. had severely chopped up the wiring, too.
We'll be stripping it down to the bare minimum and going through it front to back.

Scott S · « **Reply #36 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:49:28 AM »

And she's a roller again!
I went with a taller, narrower tire on the rear. Again, trying to lose some of the "cruiser" look. The guys at www.smalltires.com were a BIG help. Affordable, too...only $108 shipped for two tires and two tubes!

Scott S · « **Reply #37 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:52:16 AM »

I had some rear-sets for the bike, but the frame is just TOO small. I'm 6'1", and when we mocked up the rear-sets, I just about dislocated my hip trying to fit.
We'll be using the stock foot pegs and controls. Doesn't look too bad and greatly simplifies brake/shifter fitment. It also allows me to slide back against the bum stop.

Scott S · « **Reply #38 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:53:55 AM »

My girlfriend had been out on her FJ600 and pulled in as we were taking pics. She couldn't help but strike a pose, too.

hoodellyhoo · « **Reply #39 on:** March 05, 2011, 06:00:11 AM »

looking good! Interesting solution you came up with for the stepped cruiser frame.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 05, 2011, 07:16:10 AM »

Quote from: Scott S on March 05, 2011, 05:52:16 AM

I had some rear-sets for the bike, but the frame is just TOO small. I'm 6'1", and when we mocked up the rear-sets, I just about dislocated my hip trying to fit.
We'll be using the stock foot pegs and controls. Doesn't look too bad and greatly simplifies brake/shifter fitment. It also allows me to slide back against the bum stop.

big props for being 6'1" and wanting to ride something that small!

Man, looking at those pictures though, I would re-consider using the stock footpegs...that riding position looks like a forward controlled cruiser with clip-ons set low...way wrong imo. Maybe just try and get your rearsets farther back but not that high. Try posting those pics on caferacer.net for a good laugh!

Anyway, you gotta get that tall body in where it fits in, huh. Love the build so far. I have been following here and on KZR.

Scott S · « **Reply #41 on:** March 05, 2011, 08:18:26 AM »

Trust me...I tried. I'd just about have to put them out past the rear axle to fit! $:-\$

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #42 on:** March 05, 2011, 08:22:18 AM »

How about fabbing a bracket to hang 'em just below the swing arm pivot?...just guessing from the pics...not in any way familiar with that bike

Scott S · « **Reply #43 on:** March 05, 2011, 11:59:15 AM »

That's what we tried. It put my knees in my arm pits. They need to farther toward the rear of the bike and there's no easy or pretty way to do that.

Scott S · « **Reply #44 on:** March 05, 2011, 02:35:34 PM »

OK, maybe I'll take another look at the rear sets. But, to make it work they're gonna have to be back about as far as the upper shock bolt. Think it would look too crappy to have a long bracket of some sorts to get them back there?

BruceDeuce · « **Reply #45 on:** March 05, 2011, 05:10:22 PM »

sorry if I missed it what kind of paint did you use on the wheels and colcor? Looks great by the way!

Scott S · « **Reply #46 on:** March 06, 2011, 01:58:37 PM »

Quote from: BruceDeuce on March 05, 2011, 05:10:22 PM

sorry if I missed it what kind of paint did you use on the wheels and colcor? Looks great by the way!

The paint is DupliColor Chrome, out of a spray can. The only thing I wish I had done differently is maybe throw a quick coat of clear over it while I had it taped up, just for future protection.

Scott S · « **Reply #47 on:** March 06, 2011, 02:06:19 PM »

OK, I couldn't stand it. After seeing the pics and my awkward seating position, we went back to the drawing board.
We mocked up some mounts for the rear set pegs. I may end up making this a whole triangle (with some fancy speed holes for cosmetics) so that we can get more weld on the frame tube, but you get the idea.
This was just one change we made to get my frame to fit the bike.

Scott S · « **Reply #48 on:** March 06, 2011, 02:12:34 PM »

We also cut off about 1 3/4" of the seat. This REALLY helped the proportions of the bike and moved my butt closer to the center of mass on the bike.
It also helped me stretch my legs back and down to the relocated pegs.

Scott S · « **Reply #49 on:** March 06, 2011, 02:13:14 PM »

Here's a before and after. If you look closely, you can see I moved the clip ons forward and down on the forks. All of this helped me stretch out.
Oh yeah....I also had a buddy pull out the knee dent in the tank.

Before:

After:

News:

Author Topic: The Mosquito! (Kawasaki KZ250) (Read 47341 times)