Ok, I know this isn't even close to being a Blaster, but since so many of y'all enjoy reading through build threads, I figured I'd make one for my bike.
I traded a nice...if older.... Kohler-powered Craftsman riding lawnmower for a non-running 1987 Kawasaki KZ305 LTD two years ago. It was all stock at the time, and in pretty good shape, except for having sat outside for about three months prior to my acquiring it. A new battery, fresh fuel, thorough carburetor cleaning, valve adjustment, new fuel line, fresh oil/filter, and new back tire got it running and roadworthy in short order. However, a problem with the title forced me to park it for a year until I got the situation resolved.
Now, with the title FINALLY in my name (stupid NC DMV and their rules! X(), I can concentrate on fixing it up again. The last time I rode the bike, it was just as it had left the Kawasaki factory back in 1987. But I decided that, like my Blaster, it wouldn't be staying stock for long. Resale on these oddball small bikes is like a Blaster's: Poor. Nice examples rarely fetch more than about $ 1,200.00. That said, and since I don't plan on selling it anytime soon, I'm going to make it into a bobber. I thought about keeping it all-original and just enjoying it for its historical value, but I hate the color scheme (who the F decided maroon would look good on a motorcycle???!!!
Yuck!) and the strangely-bent handlebars with a passion. Plus, this bike really isn't considered a "classic", unlike Honda's CB 750 and Yamaha's RD 400 and XS 650...to name a few...so I don't feel too bad taking it apart and customizing it.
Here's a pic of the bike, taken as soon as I got it home.
As of now, I plan to build a good, daily-rider quality bobber. It won't be a show machine, and this won't be a full-rebuild. Just a strip-down, clean-up, and fix-up for spring riding. The frame is solid. I WILL NOT be cutting it much, if any. Maybe just enough to shorten the tail piece a bit. The engine runs great, even though it leaks a little oil. It will continue to do so until I eventually rebuild the top end in a few years. It doesn't smoke or rattle, so I'm going to double-check the valve adjustment and just leave it well enough alone after that.
Mods will probably be as follows:
-Apes, probably 16"
-LED tail light
-Re-located ignition switch
-New headlight. The bike has a salvage title from being laid down years ago. The only damage I can find is a damaged headlight bezel.
-Solo seat
-Painted or PC'd fuel tank...in Fire Engine Red!
-Diamond plate aluminum side covers for the battery and wiring
-Custom-built (by me) forward controls. This bike is so small, they are pretty much a requirement for a taller rider such as myself
-Chopped and re-fabbed exhaust. I don't believe in wide-open drag pipes, but I don't like the look of the stock megaphone mufflers either. They have to go in favor of something more...appropriate.
-Possible painted front and rear wheels. $$ depending.
-New clutch. It slips occasionally under hard acceleration, and considering this engine probably doesn't put out over 30hp, its a sure sign the plates are worn-out.
-New front brake line. I don't trust 26-year-old rubber. At all.
-New front for seals. They leak and will have to be replaced for the bike to pass inspection
Stay tuned for updates! This will be a slower build, but I hope to have it done by this May or June at the latest. The biggest obstacle will be money, but I have some already saved and won't be doing anything cosmetic until the basic bike has been built.
Here's how the bike sits as of now:
I have stripped it down, taken the carbs off to be re-jetted for the new exhaust I'll be building, and removed all the extras I won't be needing. This week, I'll dig it out of storage and get busy once more!
Comments/suggestions are welcome! This is my first bobber build, and I'd love everyone's input. I:I
I traded a nice...if older.... Kohler-powered Craftsman riding lawnmower for a non-running 1987 Kawasaki KZ305 LTD two years ago. It was all stock at the time, and in pretty good shape, except for having sat outside for about three months prior to my acquiring it. A new battery, fresh fuel, thorough carburetor cleaning, valve adjustment, new fuel line, fresh oil/filter, and new back tire got it running and roadworthy in short order. However, a problem with the title forced me to park it for a year until I got the situation resolved.
Now, with the title FINALLY in my name (stupid NC DMV and their rules! X(), I can concentrate on fixing it up again. The last time I rode the bike, it was just as it had left the Kawasaki factory back in 1987. But I decided that, like my Blaster, it wouldn't be staying stock for long. Resale on these oddball small bikes is like a Blaster's: Poor. Nice examples rarely fetch more than about $ 1,200.00. That said, and since I don't plan on selling it anytime soon, I'm going to make it into a bobber. I thought about keeping it all-original and just enjoying it for its historical value, but I hate the color scheme (who the F decided maroon would look good on a motorcycle???!!!

Here's a pic of the bike, taken as soon as I got it home.

As of now, I plan to build a good, daily-rider quality bobber. It won't be a show machine, and this won't be a full-rebuild. Just a strip-down, clean-up, and fix-up for spring riding. The frame is solid. I WILL NOT be cutting it much, if any. Maybe just enough to shorten the tail piece a bit. The engine runs great, even though it leaks a little oil. It will continue to do so until I eventually rebuild the top end in a few years. It doesn't smoke or rattle, so I'm going to double-check the valve adjustment and just leave it well enough alone after that.
Mods will probably be as follows:
-Apes, probably 16"
-LED tail light
-Re-located ignition switch
-New headlight. The bike has a salvage title from being laid down years ago. The only damage I can find is a damaged headlight bezel.
-Solo seat
-Painted or PC'd fuel tank...in Fire Engine Red!
-Diamond plate aluminum side covers for the battery and wiring
-Custom-built (by me) forward controls. This bike is so small, they are pretty much a requirement for a taller rider such as myself
-Chopped and re-fabbed exhaust. I don't believe in wide-open drag pipes, but I don't like the look of the stock megaphone mufflers either. They have to go in favor of something more...appropriate.
-Possible painted front and rear wheels. $$ depending.
-New clutch. It slips occasionally under hard acceleration, and considering this engine probably doesn't put out over 30hp, its a sure sign the plates are worn-out.
-New front brake line. I don't trust 26-year-old rubber. At all.
-New front for seals. They leak and will have to be replaced for the bike to pass inspection
Stay tuned for updates! This will be a slower build, but I hope to have it done by this May or June at the latest. The biggest obstacle will be money, but I have some already saved and won't be doing anything cosmetic until the basic bike has been built.
Here's how the bike sits as of now:

I have stripped it down, taken the carbs off to be re-jetted for the new exhaust I'll be building, and removed all the extras I won't be needing. This week, I'll dig it out of storage and get busy once more!
Comments/suggestions are welcome! This is my first bobber build, and I'd love everyone's input. I:I