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This forum must be pretty new; it's been rather quiet.
Hopefully this won't bore you "new age" streetfighter guys, but here are the details:
The bike is a 1974 Kawasaki Z1A (903cc). It was given to me by a friend. The Z had been totally and completely thrashed, then left outside unprotected from the elements for more than 10 years. When I took delivery of it, it had no seat, tank or gauges. The original wiring harness had been cut and spliced about as much as it could take. The engine was seized (DUH!) and had oxidized about as far as it would go.
I stripped every nut and bolt off her then had the frame sandblasted and powdercoated a smokey chrome color. The front end is a complete unit from a Kaw ZX11C. For you "younger" guys, back in the 70s even the superbikes had bicycle tires.
The rear end consists of a boxed aluminum swingarm from a Suzuki GS1100E. The reason that arm was chosen is that it is 2" longer then the OEM Kaw arm AND it allows the use of a 160 or 170 rear tire. Plus it looks cool as hell.
The rear wheel is from an early GSXR1100 and the rear brake is from an early Katana 600.
The shocks are a custom-made set I ordered form Wilbers USA. They bear the name of YSS Racing because the YSS shocks are manufactured in Thailand under the guidance of a former Wilbers engineer. I paid $500 for them; if I would have had Wilbers USA produce them they would have cost me 3 times as much.
The engine (originally 903cc) is now comprised of 1015cc Wisecos with 10.25:1 compression ratio. The cams are old-school streetable cams produced by Kenny Harmon. I also have a "Kerker for Kawasaki" 4-into-1 exhaust that has been ceramic coated gloss black.
I spent a few weeks media blasting/cleaning the engine cases and head. I used Dupli-Color 1200-degree High Heat Enamel for the engine paint.
I have also replaced ALL the electrics meaning swithches, relays, etc. as well as the main wire harness and battery box.
Once I get the cams degreed in, I will make a final decision on a paint scheme, then send the body work to a friend of mine in Dallas. As of now I want to go with a silvery pewter color (like on the Nissan Maximas you see around) with deep but vibrant red KAWASAKI tank decals.
Oh yea, it also has a complete electronic DYNA S ignition system complete with DYNA coils, AND a freshly rebuilt bank of 28mm Mikunis.
I'm sure I have left out some other details (the project has been 4 years in the making), and I'm sure to you younger guys this bike doesn't qualify as a "streetfighter", but to me it does. It will be old-school with modern technology, and I can assure you that you will NOT ever see anything else like it on the road.
Maybe this will get this forum up and running.
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