I've crossed over...

[IndyMX]

For those of you who don't follow my ramblings on Facebook, I've done something I swore I wouldn't ever do...

I bought a street bike.

Yep, I've completely lost my freakin mind.

But, to save a little face, I got something cool. I found a steal of a 1977 Kawasaki KZ650 on craigslist. $300 and it wasn't a complete basket case. (see photo)

It came with a serious electrical problem, but that's all but finished. I have a little more work to do before I can put the battery in, but if I've followed the wiring diagram correctly, everything should be fine.

The only other thing I need to do before I can fire it up and ride is add a new spring to the center stand and replace the fork seals. Both relatively easy jobs.

Of course then I have to add it to my insurance and get plates. Then I can start saving money on gas finally.

On another front... My 450 is on the lift stand right now. (if you don't have one, get one. They rock)

I'm taking off the forks & shock tonight so that I can deliver them to the guy who'll be lowering them. Then in a month I'll have my tires and be ready to tear up the flat track on it.

Woooohooo.. Yeah, no more moto for me. I'll be keeping the wheels on the ground from here on out. The only thing I'll be doing that has anything to do with motocross is working on our track and watching other guys ride on it.

I discovered recently that I get way too stressed out on a motocross track. I guess my little knee injury really did sit me down. Oh well, no big loss. I'll find my own way to twist the crap out of it. Only my way will be with the back tire leading me thru the turns!! ;)

I was able to ride a friends 450 at the short track I race my vintage bike at a couple of weeks ago. I fell in love with flat track in a whole new way. Until then I had only ridden that old beast around the tracks. Well, and mine, with the full MX setup. When that back end came around, and then sort of just found a nice happy spot and stayed there until the straight, I loved it. I felt that with a little time on the bike, I might just be able to go fast. This is gonna be fun!

So tonight I have 3 bikes to work on. And it's still 95 degrees in my garage. This should be fun.

 

[BSWIFT]

Those are fun!!!!!

 

[IndyMX]

So far it's been just a huge pain in my butt.. But I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[IndyMX]

a few pics of my current project.. Just for giggles..

 

[IndyMX]

and more.. You can see the insert in the top oil filter cover bolt hole.. threads stripped.

 

[IndyMX]

and a couple more... suspenders ready for lowering.. carb of to be cleaned..

 

[whenfoxforks-ruled]

Crossed over does not sit well with me Gary, diversified sounds better? Ride on, and ride more.

 

[Mully]

Indy, where did you get the jackstand ?????

 

[IndyMX]

I got it from a friend of mine. I'm not sure where he got them, but I can find out.

 

[_JOE_]

Looks like you're keepin' busy! I've taken to the street myself......thought I'd get a dual sport so I could ride it to work.....it's been seeing alot of street play miles lately. I just ordered some street tires for it as I went off road once on the last set of knobbies. The bike has me by the balls, I've been throwing parts at it alot this summer. It's starting to be a whole lot of fun! Turns alot of heads in town too. I'll have to post up some pics sometime.

 

[Dirtjunkie85]

Dang that is a great deal looks like your gonna have some fun! I agree with you as well those stand are a must. It makes it nice to have your bike elevated while working on it instead of bending over or sitting down. Here is where I picked mine up, it's a little bit pricey but well worth it! Scissor Lift Stand

 

[IndyMX]

Dang that is a great deal looks like your gonna have some fun! I agree with you as well those stand are a must. It makes it nice to have your bike elevated while working on it instead of bending over or sitting down. Here is where I picked mine up, it's a little bit pricey but well worth it! Scissor Lift Stand

I paid half that.

 

[BadgerMan]

Same here......swore I would never do it but I ended up in a torrid affair with a sexy Italian girl.

Here's her picture:

 

[Rich Rohrich]

That's just a thinly disguised dirtbike with a big torquey engine. ;)

 

[BadgerMan]

That's just a thinly disguised dirtbike with a big torquey engine. ;)

Therein lies the infatuation. :nod:

 

[IndyMX]

Bad Brad Baker (#12) is currently ripping the crap out of the mile tracks on one of those, although a little bit more modified.

I can't wait to get my suspension back so I can start working on setup for Circleville, OH half mile.. Gonna give it a try there this year.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Even Ducati can't decide if it's a dirtbike or not, so they went to Pikes Peak to find out. ;)

 

[BadgerMan]

All I can say is that it makes some really great noises, it loves twisty two-lane roads, and the acceleration and braking is totally intoxicating.

I will turn fifty this year but have never owned a street bike. I was surprised to discover how little I knew about negotiating curves and steering a motorcycle having ridden nearly my entire life. I bought a MSF book on safe riding and learned all about "counter-steering" (who knew?). Now I am just fascinated concerning the physics of cornering. I guess when you spend your life in the woods riding single track, you just never think about that stuff, eh?

Anyway, I must confess that the front tire has been off the ground on a couple occasions but I have not scraped the footpegs.......yet. I keep checking my tires, watching the scuff marks inch closer and closer to the sidewalls. :laugh:

 

[IndyMX]

I got the KZ done this morning, took it for a short 10 mile test ride.. All systems go!

Runs pretty good for a 34 year old bike!

 

[_JOE_]

Time to start draggin' some pegs? :)

 

[IndyMX]

This is no peg dragger... Especially at my age. Hell, I took a little ride to mom & dads tonight, and never got over 45. I go slower on this thing than I do in my truck. Mostly not wanting to become roadkill, but also just enjoying being out in the breeze..

 

[BadgerMan]

But it's so cool waiting for the light to change and then carrying a second gear wheelie through the intersection......even if by accident. :ohmy:

 

[Mully]

Indy,
I am back from my business trip. What is the details on the scissor lift?? Brand ?? Cost ??

Mully

 

[BSWIFT]

Indy, I've been trying to get out and ride my cruiser but it is just to hot to enjoy. I've been watching all of the Daytona Sport Bike, Superbike, and MotoGP this year and a "peg dragger" is looking VERY tempting. Your KZ is a really nice bike for 34 years old. Have you got it tuned pretty good? Those were lots of fun back in the day and probably still is.
On my trip to Denver a couple of weeks ago, I met a guy with a 81 Seca 750, just like I had in 81. He said he gets lots of props and really enjoys riding it to work. I was really empressed with the original seat cover and the bike has 58K on it. Ride like you're invisible regardless of your speed and the dirtbike skills DO crossover to street. Have fun!!!!

 

[Wolf]

Mully, I have one that I picked up from Pit Posse. Love it.