82 KZ550 - the KZE

**podolefsky** · 06 May 2012

This is the whole motor mount assembly.

**x88x** · 06 May 2012

Thing of beauty.

...really makes me wish I had the tools and skill to do stuff like that...would make my life a lot easier right now.

**dunwell** · 16 May 2012

Noah, over time that Al is going to oxidize and get dirty. Look into some of the Direct-To-Metal clear coat enamels to seal it up while it is still new. I think that Ace has some in rattle cans. Otherwise check out Sherwin-Williams auto store over on Old Pearl. I've got spray gear you can borrow if you go that way.

Alan D.

**Allen_okc** · 16 May 2012

dam Noah - that looks like a very professional, very clean work of art... good job bro...

**podolefsky** · 16 May 2012

Originally Posted by dunwell

Noah, over time that Al is going to oxidize and get dirty. Look into some of the Direct-To-Metal clear coat enamels to seal it up while it is still new. I think that Ace has some in rattle cans. Otherwise check out Sherwin-Williams auto store over on Old Pearl. I've got spray gear you can borrow if you go that way.

Alan D.

Thanks for the tip Alan. From what I've read, alu oxidizes pretty much immediately and creates an invisible coating. If it's exposed to too much water it will pit and look crappy. Otherwise, I thought it would be OK (time will tell).

I've had raw aluminum on the GSX-E for over a year and it still looks fine.

**Allen_okc** · 16 May 2012

a little mothers aluminum polish cures everything...

**podolefsky** · 16 May 2012

Originally Posted by Allen_okc

a little mothers aluminum polish cures everything...

ooh..yeah, forgot about that. I actually have a jar.

i was going to use it on the GSX-E, but all the aluminum is a brushed finish and the Mothers changes the look. (if it gets any corrosion, I just sand it off, back to new)

**podolefsky** · 13 June 2012

Just a few updates.

I got the frame sandblasted, then put the wheels, rear shocks, and fork back on. Turns out the frame wasn't quite level with this setup. It needed about a 2" drop in the front, so I moved some spacers around inside the fork and voila, 2" drop without any raising-the-tubes-in-the-triples shenanigans. So with the Vulcan rear shocks, Voyager fork and the extra 2" fork drop, I'd guess the bike is about 3" lower overall. It's also very balanced looking, unlike the big front wheel, bars up in the air cruiser look of the original bike.

It's also got flat drag bars and some nice classic rectangular mirrors now.

Then I gotta chop the back end, relocate the rear fender, do a bunch of work on the tank...I actually get to practice my welding

I'm still testing and matching Headway cells...slow but steady. I'm pretty close to done with the battery assembly. I've CNC'd 288 holes and lips. Hmmm...isn't that what hotdogs are made out of? Anyway...

Pics coming soon...I'm too tired to do it right now.