Oh the horror

Don't be one of these guys.
Steve

Good points.
Steve

It is difficult if not impossible to improve original Japanese design. This is especially true with a vintage Kawasaki motorcycle.
I prefer the sleeper appearance, while concentrating on subtle but effective performance and handling enhancements.

We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that
gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness,
hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need
humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. O'Lord not another Bobber......:laugh:

:whistle:
Steve

I actually had someone try to trade me this cobbled up CUSTOM kaw 440, for a Running, titled 1981 Harley Davidson sporty I was advertising on CL for $1800.00 a few years ago.. (or he was willing to sell outright for $3500.00 cash). I blasted him pretty hard for the notion, and asked him what's with that fkin lever cobble welded onto the shifter lever?? . lol

See it all the time. They find a nice bike for $1000-1500, hack it up and want $3500 for something that's not even safe or legal.
Steve
.

I agree, but my problem isn't with café racers or Bobbers. Its the poor execution that bothers me.

Here is an absolutely beautiful KZ650....







That is really well done, and the builder didn't leave the frame geometry alone. That is stretched in the back but it was done properly. There was attention to detail, and function. That bike will handle properly, has good brakes, and is very pretty. Well done I would say.

But then there are bikes like these...




I have no words for that abomination.

daveo wrote: It is difficult if not impossible to improve original Japanese design. This is especially true with a vintage Kawasaki motorcycle.
I prefer the sleeper appearance, while concentrating on subtle but effective performance and handling enhancements.

SOoooo true Daveo! My bike is almost 100% stock.. Quiet and docile.. UNTIL I crank it.. It revs all the way to red line without missing a beat.Every bit of my rated hp is available and there, and all the way LIVE.
I pull up next to other bikes at the red lights, and the loud and slow bikers usually act like I done something to them.. Well.... I'm fixin to fo sho

. lol

The KZ650 above is a nice one. Generally, like Daveo said a sleeper bike is cooler IMO. Nearly all of my bikes have original paint schemes or close to it.

In that "Top 5 Bike Donors" video the guy gets to the GS550 and then he says.. "or is it a 1000?". He's putting himself out there as an expert. As soon as I look at the bike I can tell what it is because of the body panels, paint scheme and seat. And I'm not claiming to be an expert.

This looks like fun. Poor 650 Yam.
Steve