Kawi Twin 750 Custom

by rider75
(Peace Country, Alberta)

Just aquired, fresh outta the weeds a '76 KZ750 B1 Twin and a KZ650 Four for parts. Not sure exactly how it will end up but would eventually like to buy a frame (rigid) from Cycle One and an AME front end.

For now will likely stay with swing-arm rear and put on extended fork tubes and drop the frame. Using the cast alloy wheels from the KZ650, making my own seat(s), using wide dirt bike bars, hunting for Sportster mufflers, screw original and to hell with Jesse James.

I'll do it MY way! Minimal chrome (it reflects the cops spot lights you see :)
Cheers

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Aug 10, 2008
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August 6th, 2008 Project Update
by: rider75

Well, nearly one year now since aquiring the old B1 750 Kawi twin. I got the frame welded, sandblasted and painted the last two weekends and began reassembly this past week. Funds are low so I am just concentrating on things I have parts and materials for. Since last Monday, engine went into the frame, the front end and swing-arm have been installed, both wheels are on, the brakes are plumbed, the engine covers installed, the bars and controls are on and clutch cable is connected and the footpegs and levers are mounted. I began the electricals this evening and will continue that tommorrow with a fresh six pack. Hope to start on the bodywork next week.

Keep the faith!
rider75

May 14, 2008
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May 14th 08 Project Update
by: rider75

I have sectioned the seat frame. Ended up taking out 6 1/4 inches of parallel tubing just aft of the rear shock mounts. After cutting the tubing insert stubs, I set the tail section back in place and hung the tank and tail cowl on it. It looks awesome. I also did some grinding of the inside of the swing-arm pivots in the '76 750 frame in order to fit the '77 KZ650 swing-arm. This shortens the wheelbase by about a half inch depending on chain length and adjustment.
Two weekends ago, prior to pulling the engine, I installed the carbs and plugged in the electricals. Connected my IV fuel bottle and spare battery and gave the engine a whirl and it fired up after just a few seconds of cranking. It was Jeebus loud with no pipes but idled smoothly. I then shut it down and proceeded to pull the engine out of the frame after draining the oil and pulling the filter. Had the valve cover off for a peek and there is virtually no wear on the cam lobes or valve shims. The cam chain is snug and shows no wear on the roller gears at all. Even though the bike was frugly to look at, someone did do their mechanical maintenance it seems.
Last weekend I washed down the engine (it was a greasy little pig!) and sprayed the entire thing down with Dupli-Color High Heat Satin Black (I hate polishing aluminum!). After the paint was dry, I polished all of the external fasteners, cam chain adjuster cover, breather cover bolt, oil relief cover, etc. I still have to polish the paint off of the Kawi lettering on the case sides but the effect is stunning. This is gonna be one bad looking cafe bike. Still waiting for rear wheel bearings, a new speedo cable and new brake pads to arrive. I hope to have the frame tail section welded along with new tabs for the custom sheet aluminum sidecovers by the end of the month, as soon as my buddy Mark gets time to practice with the new MIG on the pieces I cut out of the frame. Once the welding is done, I'll use the big compressor at work to try out my new sandblaster and get the frame, swing-arm and center stand ready for painting.
Stay tuned for more as the project progresses.

Keep on Kustomizing!
rider75

Apr 08, 2008
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Project Update
by: rider75

Well the project has evolved into a Cafe Racer. The 650 Four parts bike yielded up a pair of clubman bars. I hung em on the 750 Twin and was hooked. So far I have transplanted the 77 650 Four C1 cast alloy wheels, twin disk front end and dual piston rear brake onto the 750. Right mow the bike is little more than an engine in a frame but that'll chamge when I pull the engine out next weekend :)
I am going to cut 6" out of the rear frame to make for a 15" solo seat but still keep the tail light mounting flange and stock rear cowl intact. I'll be forming a custom seat pan from traffic sign aluminum and covering it with dense foam and leather from a 1980's Rolling Stones tour jacket. Other than a MAC 2-1 exhaust and aluminum sidecovers and custom battery box and air cleaners, the bike will remain mostly stock. I've heard that the electronic ignition from a lter KZ440 Twin will fit so I'll be ebaying for such a setup as well.
Backyard builds rule!

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