restomod

Maybe the nicest YZ Resto-mod I’ve sver seen.


I mean DAMM that’s nice.  Oh and if you keep looking you’ll see a really pretty girl in there too!  I can’t imagine how cool it would be blasting out of the blocks on this thing for the first time.

Don over at Metro Racing writes in:

Thanks for the spot on MPOTD!! The new site is very nice. Any time is a good time for a free plug. Here’s another pic of a pretty girl with a 1978 Yamaha YZ 250 that I just finished for a good friend, Jeff Hackett. No kudos necissary, just a girl and bike.

Enjoy, Don

No worries Don WELL worth a plug!  (Again if you like these old bikes do yourself a favor folks and pay him a visit)

 

Reader Ride! A Killer Katana From Iceland!


I’m pretty sure this is our first Icelandic Bike! And what a great way to start! A lot of people didn’t/don’t like the styling of these bikes. I don’t know why exactly. Yes it was very different at the time and there hasn’t been much like it since but I personally wish there was more bold design like this from Japan.

Anyway, thank Much Duddi!
Here is my Katana 1982
1428cc Wiseco big bore and more and more…….
Duddi
Sober Riders MC
Iceland

Reader Ride! Kawasaki Zephyr 550. One of my Favorites!


 I’ve always had a soft spot for the Kawasaki Zephyr line of bikes. A very refined version of the original Z and KZ line.

Zach Brandt writes in:

Hi, been a fan of your page for the last couple of months. Thought I’d send in a few pics of my Zephyr 550 project bike. Started out as a homely old craigslist find that I learned to ride on. Project originally intended to just be a fork rebuild and new chain then tuned out to what you see here. I had a lot fun picking everything out, but I could have never anticipated the amount of admiration this little thing gets. Keep up the good work on your page!

Thanks Zach!

The before Pic!

Reader Submittal. Outstanding Kawasaki H2 Restomod / Rescue


Joe Byrd sends in this fantastic :save: of a classic Kawasaki!  Having been down this road a few times with Kawasaki Triples myself I can attest to what a fantastic job this is.

Joe Writes:

Steve
After you posted pix of my H1A and my CR500R, you said to let you know about the next one.

My H2 750 Triple
You can see the before and after;
I purchased the “bike-in-a-box” early last fall with the intent of rebuilding it over the winter.  The build got off to a late start but by June I had it running.

I call it a rebuild and not a restoration because I just wanted a nice looking, nice running H2 to ride, I did not want a bike too nice to ride. I think it has worked out as planned.

Every part needed something. I did all the work myself with the exception  of the powder coating, some machine work (requiring special machines) and applying the paint base coat and clear coat. The painter wanted nothing to do with the decals.

I only bought new parts when I did not have the part or when I could not rebuild the existing part in a satisfactory manner.

I made a lot  parts I did not have or could not get, having access to a machine shop is a great thing.

I seemed like everything that should have taken a minute, took an hour and everything that should have taken an hour, took a week.

I replaced every bearing and seal.  I installed a rebuilt crank  and new pistons in new bores.  It got a new clutch and I had enough transmission parts to build one with minimal wear. And as always, H2 transmissions require careful  shimming.
       
I have ridden it about 600 miles so far, I have fixed a few nits and niggles. It took a while but now I have the jetting spot on. And it is running  like a strong H2 with no issues.

The first week I had it running, I rode it to a large cruiser extravaganza and entered the 750  in the bike show. Though there were quite a number of metric customs, the H2 won first place in the Asian category!

Reader Submittal. Outstanding suzuki GT750 Restomod.


Ken Fontenot of Cyclesports Houston sends in their latest masterpiece.  one of these days I’m going to have to buy myself a nice GT.  They’re starting to grow on me.

 Ken writes:

Here is a custom restoration we did on a ’72 Suzuki GT750. The bike came in to us all apart in boxes and had been that way for several years. Actually there were two frames and parts from two different bikes, a ’72 and a ’73.

Instructions from the owner were that he hated chrome and wanted a nice bike that looked like a stock one but with nice mods that would make it a better bike, no outrageous custom, wanted to keep it very conservative looking, using the ’72 frame.

We did a complete inspection of all the parts and pulled all the best stuff out and started the project. First off we took ALL the chrome peices and sent them to the powdercoaters for a nice aluminum coating, fenders and all. We also sent the ’72 frame, electrical box, side & center stands and had them coated in gloss black. In lue of the chrome rims we ordered a set of aluminum excell rims and stainless spokes from Buchanan’s, the hubs were also aluminum coated. We had Jemco exhaust systems right down the street from us build a set of there 3 into one nickel plated chambers. All the painted items were stripped and painted aqua Blue, same as the stock color for ’72 but left off all the stripes. The instruments were sent off and were completely refurbished. We also ordered a set of black XR750 flat track bars from Flanders.

We had two engines so we took both completely apart and used all the best parts to make one. Crankshaft was sent to Bill Bune Enterprises for a complete rebuild and truing with all new bearings and seals. We also got new first over pistons & rings, bored the cylinders and painted the cases satin black. All the engine covers were either polished or painted hi-gloss black. All fasteners were replaced with polished stainless allens.

Carbs were also stripped and painted, bodies satin black, covers & bowls hi-gloss black and rejetted for the chambers and K&N pod style air filters instead of the stock airbox. All cables, hoses & fuel lines were replaced with new.

We had a ’73 disc front bake setup as well as the ’72 Double leading Drum. We knew the Disc would probably work better but just couldn’t get away from the cool good looks of the Double leading setup, all new shoes and bearings of course.

New Footpeg rubber, seat, front fork boots, as well as grips were aquired and installed. New tapered roller bearings on the steering stem, progressive springs and new progresive shocks and bronze swingarm bushings renewed the suspension and worked much better than the stock componets. For tires we found a set of new K-70 dunlops for that retro look.

The bike has won awards at local shows and is ridden by its owner Greg Owen every chance he gets. The bike really handles great, is very comfortable, and runs exceptionally well. Those Jemco Chambers give it a very nice growl and sitting there at idle its music to the ears! We love the old Two strokes!

Thanks for Your consideration!

Ken Fontenot
Cycle Sports Ltd of Houston
9802 Clay Rd
Houston, Texas 77080
713-690-9802
www.cyclesportshouston.com

Thanks for the great pics Ken!

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