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Hello All!

777 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  WiscoRider, 
WiscoRider
Hello All!

First post! I have a couple bikes at this point. My main ride is a Husqy Vitpilen 401 and have a Kawasaki KZ440B that I am trying to café. (I am well aware that it isn't the best platform, but it's what I have)

I've been riding for about 17 years and have had all kinds of bikes, ranging from Harleys to sport bikes, but have always gravitated toward the café look. I have quite a few questions on my project so hopefully I don't get too dragged over the coals looking for answers.
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M
Welcome!

Do you have any pics of the project bike?

Nothing wrong with a kz440 as a cafe racer donor.
Nice little simple twin to play with and improve.
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Tinsnips
Welcome Sir. Yes, pics are reall good around here.
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WiscoRider
3
Here is my progress so far. I bought it with the Evel Knievel American Flag styling. I'm mid tear down. The tank off picture was from last night.
Wheel Tire Plant Fuel tank Vehicle
Tire Wheel Fuel tank Vehicle Automotive lighting
Tire Wheel Fuel tank Automotive fuel system Vehicle
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W
Nice shape. Looks like a 400.
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CaTacL1sm
Yo that paint job is awesome.
Unless it was vinyl? Did you take the graphics off ?
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Tinsnips
Looks like a great find.
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WiscoRider
Could be? I bought it for the shape and the price was right. The badging was all removed.
woodsman said:
Nice shape. Looks like a 400.
Click to expand...
I'm not an expert, but VIN checks out as a 440B.
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WiscoRider
CaTacL1sm said:
Yo that paint job is awesome.
Unless it was vinyl? Did you take the graphics off ?
Click to expand...
It was vinyl! I peeled it off. It must have been on there for quite a few years. It was tedious.
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W
WiscoRider said:
Could be? I bought it for the shape and the price was right. The badging was all removed.

I'm not an expert, but VIN checks out as a 440B.
Click to expand...
More likely that we didn't get that model. This was the land of the leftovers in the '80's.
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TrialsRider
Those engines are full of chains, hopefully you don't need to dig inside it too often.

You got your chain drive starter motor, your chain drive counter-balancer shafts, your valve drive chain and your primary drive chain, then you got your regular old chain to the rear wheel. Not sure I would call that a simple engine design.
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WiscoRider
TrialsRider said:
Those engines are full of chains, hopefully you don't need to dig inside it too often.

You got your chain drive starter motor, your chain drive counter-balancer shafts, your valve drive chain and your primary drive chain, then you got your regular old chain to the rear wheel. Not sure I would call that a simple engine design.
Click to expand...
Agreed!
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