islemann - kzx550 new-retro cafe' motorcycle

islemann cafe' motorbikes custom built motorcycles in new-retro cafe' style

islemann KZX550R neo-retro cafe' project build page

Projects: Honda CB550 Cafe' Kawasaki KZX550 Cafe' Yamaha XS850 Cafe'

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The islemann neo-retro cafe' KZX550R

Design Brief -

Kawasaki KZ bikes were the ubiquitous Universal Japanese Motorcycle as the 1980s unfolded. Standard and sportbike motorcycle sales had taken a huge downturn thanks to the insurance industry and the hard lobbying efforts of Harley Davidson, while demand for cruiser styled bikes skyrocketed. Kawasaki answered that market demand with the introduction of the KZ line of standard-cruiser bikes.

Our goal with the islemann kz550 cafe' bike is to integrate sporting hardware onto the cruiser style frame resulting in a comfortable, fast and entertaining neo-retro cafe' bike. This one is going to be different. Differenter than different. Unique even.

With a formerly smoking hulk of a 1983 Kawasaki KZ550LTD providing the bones, we're going to build a fast and fun bike.

The islemann Neo-Retro Cafe' design features -

Cafe' seat with 'speed hump' and modified OE tank in bright silver and metallic light green with "islemann silver" frame riding on dark graphite colored wheels send the right visual signals

ZX600 rear-set foot controls on custom mounting plates to allow adjustable peg/seat/bar relationship for a perfect fit

1 1/8in Daytona Superbike / super-motard style handlebar on custom risers make the bike all day comfortable

Upgraded brakes with EBC HH pads and Tokico 4 pot calipers up front / Tokico single piston caliper with EBC HH pads out back all riding on new EBC brake rotors will allow fast and sure stops

Upgraded suspension including rebuilt ZX600 forks with RaceTech 1.1kg straight rate springs leading the way, and custom Progressive HD rear shocks with black Progressive 90/130 springs, fitted to an aluminum swing-arm all conspire to keep the rear tire in line

Continental Sport Classic TKV 11/12 tires front and rear on refinished ZX600 wheels keep a firm grip on the pavement

Rebuilt wiring harness with OEM connectors and up-rated switch gear gets its juice from a maintenance free AGM battery

Dyno-tuned 553cc four cylinder air/oil cooled motor with UniFilter pod air filters for stong and reliable performance

Dunstall style four into two exhaust with heat tape wrapped down-pipes keep the wailing 553cc four cylinder in tune.

Here are a few pictures to get the project documentation under way.

Here's what came off the back of the truck - the engine literally burned up by the previous owners
failure to check oil level. With a bang, the bike exploded into flame on the shoulder of the freeweay.
After that flaming fiasco, the owner of the bike opted for a newer motorcycle. Leaving this KZ550 languishing in the depths of
their cold and crowded garage.

A quick clean-up of the hulk, a stripping of the wiring harness and a hacking of the OEM seat results in a draft version of 'the look' -
Not satisfied with this, I'm not going to stick with the seat shape. I've already lost the mongo wheels. I think the lovely shape of the
tank is inspiring me towards a 'Street Tracker / Cafe' look. There are a lot of KZxx0 based Cafe' bikes with the stock "Coffin" shaped
tank. I don't think I've seen one using the cruiser tank. Paint colors are already selected. I'll be using islemann silver for the frame
and Kawasaki Green with Bright Silver for the tank and rear seat cowl. The wheels will be a dark shade of Charcoal Silver. I'll be
keeping the open triangle look. Electrics will relocate to a panel that resides under the rear cowl. The only component that will
remain in the triangle will be the battery, that will end up tucked as high and forward as possible.

Rear fender mock-up. Yes, I'm keeping the upswept rear frame. Tabs will be removed as needed.

A mockup of the rear wheel showing the new disc brake and 16in rim. All of the metal work as been accomplished with a Dremel and
one fine cut-off disc. (KIDDING!)

A recycled 550cc Kawasaki 4 cylinder motor will provide motivation to what will end up being a sweet little motorcycle when it rolls
out of the works. A careful cleaning is already under way. The motor has excellent compression, I'll dress up the side covers with a
bit of wire brushing. Otherwise, it'll remain bright silver - just as it came from the factory.

Bashed LTD tank turns into Cafe' tank.

With gentle persuasion you can turn a cruiser style tank into a cafe' tank. A few more bashings and it'll be ready for etching, mud
and primer. Final color is still up in the air. I'm thinking a dark silver with Kawasaki Green in the knee spaces. The motor has been
trial fitted into the frame while I mock up the rear suspension. It'll come out before the frame is stripped and repainted.

Projects: Honda CB550 Cafe' Kawasaki KZX550 Cafe' Yamaha XS850 Cafe'

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