Topic: 79' KZ750 .... "Gutter Brat"

[Frankencake]

Yea, that should do it.. I like the look. That rear fender is perfect, very Kawasaki like.. Goes great with that bike.

You sure have an artistic eye with these older bikes! Perhaps you should start doing what Carpy is doing only open it up to all older bikes.. He seems to make a good living doing what he is doing.. He also looks like he has lots of fun doing it.

.: Scott :.

I second that idea.  Spikey, you are one of my custom designer heroes.  You have a very special eye and a great ability to fabricate.  Just make sure that you keep it fun for yourself, whatever you do.  I have been a fan of your wok for some time now.  You're also a complete #$%*ing tool, which is a good thing.

[Spikeybike]

 I have been a fan of your wok for some time now.  You're also a complete #$%*ing tool, which is a good thing.

thanx   dick  

Yea, that should do it.. I like the look. That rear fender is perfect, very Kawasaki like.. Goes great with that bike.

You sure have an artistic eye with these older bikes! Perhaps you should start doing what Carpy is doing only open it up to all older bikes.. He seems to make a good living doing what he is doing.. He also looks like he has lots of fun doing it.

.: Scott :.

i've thought about it .. but .. i don't think i would do so good at the business side of it   ... i'm not so hot with crunching numbers

[Zaipai]

If your good at what you do and you do what you love the numbers will come.. That is why they make accountants.. 

.: Scott :.

[sangyo soichiro]

I like the vids.  Keep 'em comin'.

I like where the bike is going.

[Spikeybike]

[traveler]

My .02....

I like the lines of the bike......the lip running down the center of the rear fender right above the tailight....really nice touch.  The seat is also original.

Keep at it!

~Joe

[MJL]

Here is a KZ400 that inspired me.

[Zaipai]

Like the tank Spikey.. That green one is pretty slick MJL..

Are you doing up one like the green one?

.: Scott :.

[Spikeybike]

before

after


  ...YES!  ... i'm THAT anal

[Frankencake]

That's not anal.  That's what makes the difference between your work and Joe "Carpy-stuff's" work .  GMC does not do that, but Bugatti does.  See the difference? 

[Zaipai]

That's what makes your work so good.. Attention to detail and patients.. I wish I had that, enjoy it!

.: Scott :.

[Spikeybike]

[Spikeybike]

bandaids be damned

[Spikeybike]

i really hope you guys are watching these vids in 720p .. cuz man do the high def vids take forEVER to uplaod to youtube (like 20-30 min)

[Retro Rocket]

Hi Spikey, just an observation, i would have shaped the seat foam to fit almost into the rear of the tank, it would have been a little thicker but i think it would work well......Like everything but the handle bars....

Mick

[Spikeybike]

i wanted something different,  i really like the look and feel of clubmans .. but everyone does clubmans  ...  and clip ons are too much money ...     i'm not totally sold on the bars either 

[Zaipai]

i wanted something different,  i really like the look and feel of clubmans .. but everyone does clubmans  ...  and clip ons are too much money ...     i'm not totally sold on the bars either 

I like the tank, funny how some thing that simple creates some thing so complex. Just an F.Y.I. I have a set of drag bars in really good shape and they are yours for the taking if you want to go that route.. Just a thought..

I would not worry about the tank/seat transition, I am sure it will look great when you are done.

.: Scott :.

[Spikeybike]

I have a set of drag bars in really good shape and they are yours for the taking if you want to go that route.. Just a thought..

i may take you up on that , i was thinking that pullback drag bars turned down slightly , might be the look i'm after

but once there is a headlight and cockpit, they may look better .... cuz the bars that are on there now feel good ,position wise .... they just look kinda ....off

[Spikeybike]

I would not worry about the tank/seat transition, I am sure it will look great when you are done.

my solution for the seat ... never ever use that style of foam again  .. it's just too damn soft ... hi-density my ass

oh well .. it's a 10 dollar seat , whattya expect

[Retro Rocket]

What about going the other way with the pipes, use the flatbars and weld a 4 inch riser under them making a low set of T bars. 3 small pieces of 7/8 pipe or an old set of bars to cut up would do. I'm pretty boring, i like super bike bars on my bikes.

Mick

[Spikeybike]

I'm pretty boring, i like super bike bars on my bikes.

turned upside down ? 

[Retro Rocket]

I'm pretty boring, i like super bike bars on my bikes.

turned upside down ? 

Only if i am stoned putting the bloody things on.....     other wise normal side up...

Mick

[Frankencake]

Every once in a while I have a vision of something that might be cool.  What do you think of welding .25" round stock on top of that sharp seam at the back of the tank where it meets the seat?  You could flatten that whole mess out a bit and then  I was thinking that you could make a small pad of the same vinyl as the seat that would attach to the back of the tank.  Sort of a junk cushion.  It would have to be pretty thin.....
If fact, you could forego welding the .25 rod and just use a pad to make the back of the tank flow a bit better into the seat.

Ima just sayin...

[Zaipai]

Sounds good, get every thing on and if you still don't like the bars just let me know. The drag bars are not going any place so for now I stuck your name on them.. Besides it would be cool for me to have donated some thing to this effort.. Perhaps next time you could use a memory foam mattress pad its about $30 but its quit dense onces its compressed.. And you would have plenty left for other seats.. Can't wait to see how the tank looks once you clear coat it. I sure hope it looks a lot like it does now. I know its gonna kill the shine a bit however its pretty dang cool as is..

Oh, are you going to pant the fenders, or do the swirl thing to those also? What about side covers?

.: Scott :.

[Spikeybike]

the frame and rear fender will be coated with truck bed liner ... the tank will get a satin clear ... the front fender will either get the truck bed liner or i might just not use the front fender at all
  
  i'm pretty satisfied with the transition from tank to seat (for now), though i did have a similar idea to fill the gap with some kinda vinyl pad ...we'll see

and as far as the side covers:

everyone always tosses the side covers and hides the guts under a bump seat ... i have always , always hated bump seats  .. just never cared for the look  BUT.... i dig the open space , so i had this idea to scratch the side covers but mount all the guts so they're visible ... on display almost (but clean,  wires routed clean , loomed and ziptied, all connectors replaced ..ect)  
   i really like the idea of "showing the guts " and not hiding anything .