NO TIME - Jude’s off the record MBBO 12 - kz650 cafe racer project

[Jude Ephesus]

Ok, so, here we go!

this thing has been sitting in my backyard for about 10 years.

the wife says stop building bicycles and ‘build the thing that’s been under a tarp for the past 10 years.’

I do have some major items done: I ‘cut up’ and had the seat reupholstered.

I have stripped, painted, balance and put new rubber on the wheels.

I have bought key parts to upgrade to dual disc fronts, cafe bars and other cool parts.

as I don’t want fuel to sit in the carbs all winter, I want to get this guy able to roll around and ready to ride next spring.

short term, I want to wash and derust, paint the frame, get the front end on and rear end on, then get set for spring.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Uncovered!

Below is post scrub #1. Looks slightly better than freshly uncovered.

Like most of my bicycle builds, I start with a really good wash, but do end up washing more and detailing the project throughout the disassembly and reassembly process.

 

[ingola]

Uncovered!
View attachment 247082

Below is post scrub #1. Looks slightly better than freshly uncovered.

Like most of my bicycle builds, I start with a really good wash, but do end up washing more and detailing the project throughout the disassembly and reassembly process.
View attachment 247083

That motor is a crazy colour love it

 

[Jude Ephesus]

That motor is a crazy colour love it

Tired of aluminum, chrome or black…

just wanted to try something different…. And a little crazy

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Ok, so, the #1 impediment to progress is perfection: that’s really the reason I stalled on this.

I spray painted the wheels… they look great

New tires look awesome.

-I was not sure how to handle the forks and frame:

I do now: rustoleum and a brush!

-this ain’t a show bike!

These forks I scored off eBay a number of years back. The original set had a bad seal

I got these off eBay for less than it was going to cost to fix the seal

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Here’s a rough cut.

A pro builder would call me a fool, but these look better now than when they were leaning in the corner of my garden shed…..

I’ll put on another coat next weekend and they’re done!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Second coat :

Rough, but better than sitting in a shed

 

[Jude Ephesus]

These guys are done.

Next I think I’m going to touch up the engine color and paint the frame like I did the forks

 

[Jude Ephesus]

This little beauty was parked out in the parking lot of Wegman’s park….

Where Syracuse Classic Bikes met before our ride tonight:

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Ok, so, I wimped out on the patina on the engine…. Freshened up a little

 

[Jude Ephesus]

And here’s the tank.

I was going to strip it and repaint…. Definitely part of the holdup in progress.

It is sort of pink-faded on the top.

I have some leftover red metalcast paint from the proper rat rod.

I may just spray over this, as is and see what I get?

Anything would look better than sitting in a cabinet in my basement

any input? - seat is brown.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Here! Leftover red metalcast it is!!!!

Definitely not like a pro paint shop, but better than faded and DEFINITELY better than sitting in a cabinet!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Great to see what you're doing here, Jude. You planning to have it road ready by the spring?

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Great to see what you're doing here, Jude. You planning to have it road ready by the spring?

Well…. Maybe! I don’t have any room to store this indoors over the winter. -I don’t want fuel to sit in the tank and carbs all winter.

so, I’m going to get this project going, get all painting done and break final assembly into a few major components, and have it prime for a late spring finish up.

I hope to have it 100% complete and on the road late spring, early summer.

-my youngest has one last year of softball, so early to mid spring will be busy chasing the kid around.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

So… this is pretty crazy this is a rattle can finish….

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Side covers painted. I actually cut them a few inches too to make them a little less noticeable.

There’s a bunch of junk in the paint….. but, recurring theme here, better than sitting on a shelf!

 

[twojs.bike]

I like your attitude with this.

 

[Jude Ephesus]

I like your attitude with this.

Thanks! -Get ‘er done.

the number one impediment to progress is perfection.

I delayed YEARS on this thing waiting for the perfect time, perfect weather, perfect paint, perfect whatever!

I’m just getting it decent for a cool bike to bang around town on.

let’s go!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

Meh…. Sidecovers done.

I was going to fill these holes to try to make the entire cover less noticeable….

I just put the original emblems back on.

Looks pretty sharp actually. -brush marks and all!

 

[Jude Ephesus]

First pass on the frame.

This girl’s best friend is 20’ and a pair of sunglasses!!!