Anyone (Or a mate) ever built a Special / One off Bike ??

[Kwakka Kilt]

Heyo,

Righto, been chatting to Neka, Dave, Gos, and Stereo in another thread, about my dream of basically building a cheap as poss, mad arse turbo injected bike (Someday)

Out of my budget and premises right now (Plus I am on my L's / P's, but I can dream !! ), but got me thinking what would bolt in, or with minimal mods, what new Kwakka parts would fit older model frames etc.

I know if you want, you basically can fit whatever you want to anything, but I am talking minimal mods and cost here.....

For instance, most people know about certain smaller frame / larger motor bolt ins, such as :

GSXR 7/11 (1100 motor in a 750 frame)
FZR 4/6 (600 motor in a 400 frame (I built one, but then found out I had to take my L's in Oz, had to sell ... )
I heard of an RGV250 with a single cylinder thumper motor mounted up.

The coolest / maddest Kwakka mod I read about once, was a ZXR400, with a braced frame and new mounts for the motor, but was running a CBR900rr blade motor !!

Another awesome bike, was a Z900 with modern forks and swingarm - Sweet bike.

Anyone built a one off, or know anyone who has ?? SPill yer guts ......

[MickLC]

Main Force Patrol to Gosling1...come in Gosling1

[dave#3]

I've not built one, but a zx9r B series engine will bolt into some zxr750 and zx7r frames.

I'm building a "sub $1000 cafe racer" out of my KH100, and tossing up about what larger or higher performance engine I can shoehorn into it. An interesting alternative would be a small super-charger, but I think I'd rather do that to a 4 stroke .... Actually, I'm off to investigate supercharging 2 smokes now

[Gosling1]

Aaah Jock, old mate, building a special is like digging a big hole in the ground, and filling it with $100 notes !! Are you sure you want to do this ???

ProblemChild is just about to start work on a Gixxer 7/11 conversion, actually his will be a 7/12 conversion, as it will be a Bandit 1200 motor getting a transplant into a Gixxer 750 rolling chassis. This will be one quick bike when its done.

I an currently fitting a Z1000J motor into a Z750 frame for a track-bike - Forgotten Era Unlimited class. This will go pretty well, the Z750 frame is just like the Z650, short wheel-base, well-gussetted, and quick steering.......I did do a one-off special and built a Z750 trailbike, but that used a standard engine/frame combo, so it was pretty straightforward....

For what you are looking at, well the sky is the limit, and you need to be prepared to spend big dollars. One-off modifications are not cheap, unless you have your own machine shop. Painting, electrical etc, can be done at home, but engine-work cannot (usually). All the mods you have mentioned are great, but you will need at least 2 bikes as donor bikes, to build one good one. Most people who build specials find out along the way all the tips and traps, and you won't find these written down anywhere.......

See if you can track down a few old copies of Streetbike magazine, or RAPID as it is now known, and there will be enough ideas in there to keep you going for ages - also BSH and Streetfighters from the UK are also good mags for ideas.

Good luck mate.

[Smitty]

Gosling is gunna weep when he reads that.....

in my silly youth I helped a mate stuff a Kwaka MachIII engine in a Bonneville
...Triumph Bonneville thats is..about a 65' model
handled like crap, went like stink and kept blowing all the 'lectrics
(I still wonder why)

and then coz we got misguided about why it would not handle
...we had absolutely no farkin idea what we were doing
we ditched the 500cc and went for a BIGGER MORE POWERFUL engine
...from a Suzi 750 Waterbottle. We thought that would make it handle

the bike..? it was frightening
it lasted about 3 months until young longhaired git of mate
missed an apex (on a suburban street corner) and launched himself
as bike hit the kerb and then an empty bus shelter. Mate...???
ended up in someones's camelia bush with a sprained wrist..or was it ankle?
(was a few years ago)

should I mention the turbo Renault motor we stuffed in the back of a Volksie
or the project with me cousin...2litre Ford Escort turbo motor into a Ford prefect panno


aaaah...1971 what a wunnerful year


cheers

[Kwakka Kilt]

I've not built one, but a zx9r B series engine will bolt into some zxr750 and zx7r frames.

I'm building a "sub $1000 cafe racer" out of my KH100, and tossing up about what larger or higher performance engine I can shoehorn into it. An interesting alternative would be a small super-charger, but I think I'd rather do that to a 4 stroke ....

Dave#3, cafe racer sounds cool, would love to have a project on top of my wee ZXR2 fiddy, post up some piccies of the finished article / work in progress ?

Aaah Jock, old mate, building a special is like digging a big hole in the ground, and filling it with $100 notes !! Are you sure you want to do this ???

ProblemChild is just about to start work on a Gixxer 7/11 conversion, actually his will be a 7/12 conversion, as it will be a Bandit 1200 motor getting a transplant into a Gixxer 750 rolling chassis. This will be one quick bike when its done.

I an currently fitting a Z1000J motor into a Z750 frame for a track-bike - Forgotten Era Unlimited class. This will go pretty well, the Z750 frame is just like the Z650, short wheel-base, well-gussetted, and quick steering.......I did do a one-off special and built a Z750 trailbike, but that used a standard engine/frame combo, so it was pretty straightforward....

For what you are looking at, well the sky is the limit, and you need to be prepared to spend big dollars. One-off modifications are not cheap, unless you have your own machine shop. Painting, electrical etc, can be done at home, but engine-work cannot (usually). All the mods you have mentioned are great, but you will need at least 2 bikes as donor bikes, to build one good one. Most people who build specials find out along the way all the tips and traps, and you won't find these written down anywhere.......

See if you can track down a few old copies of Streetbike magazine, or RAPID as it is now known, and there will be enough ideas in there to keep you going for ages - also BSH and Streetfighters from the UK are also good mags for ideas.

Gos, yeah I definately cannot afford to throw even 1 $100 buck note away, that's for sure !!

Would love to see the Z750 with Z1000 motor, ANIMAL !!

As far as engine work goes, I can bolt one together, but like you say, mods like porting, bore etc no way can do - I have seen (Bike) motors running standard compression with a turbo at 6-8 psi boost, but no way would I even try to tackle a blow through turbo carbie motor setup - Far too tough.

RAPID is one of my bibles mate, love every issue - Think I have only ever missed out on 1 issue at the start

Would love to learn MIG or TIG welding, can do basic Oxy or Arc, but they are too harsh / too weak for proper welding, and Aluminium welding for motor mounts, you need MIG as a minimum don't ya ?

and then coz we got misguided about why it would not handle
...we had absolutely no farkin idea what we were doing
we ditched the 500cc and went for a BIGGER MORE POWERFUL engine
...from a Suzi 750 Waterbottle. We thought that would make it handle

the bike..? it was frightening
it lasted about 3 months until young longhaired git of mate
missed an apex (on a suburban street corner) and launched himself
as bike hit the kerb and then an empty bus shelter. Mate...???
ended up in someones's camelia bush with a sprained wrist..or was it ankle?
(was a few years ago)

should I mention the turbo Renault motor we stuffed in the back of a Volksie
or the project with me cousin...2litre Ford Escort turbo motor into a Ford prefect panno


aaaah...1971 what a wunnerful year

Smitty man, you crack me up !! Like your style.

The poor Bonnie frame must have been like friggin spaghetti, and then a BIGGER motor goes in - Ha Ha Ha !!

My 2nd ever car was a MkII Escort, with Webers etc, loved that until it got stuffed into a railway bridge after 4 weeks of owning it

Then Golf GTi's were me and my mates thing - Your 2 litre escort TURBO Pano van would have been a sight, problem is, I was born in 1974 ...... Bring on back to the future !!

[Loz]

My grandad built a bike out of a lawnmower engine, a pair of large wheelbarrow wheels and a bunch of square steel tubing. Dad used to stick us on his knee when I was about 5 and putt around the back yard.

[Nucci]

My uncle had an old TZR250 that he chopped up, pared down and put an RD350 motor into.

He's a fitter and turner by trade and was ruthless in making the bike into as light and razor sharp a thing as he could get it. He machined up a shiteload of parts for it (brackets, triple clamp, some fasteners, engine covers, rear brake caliper etc) and I think he stripped about 10 kg's off the weight of the thing in the end.

I never got to ride it properly on the road as I was still on my L's when he sold it. Wouldve been a nice track day hack.

[Neka79]

ahh supermono (big single)..the yhave a race class for it (or use to) and phil has a rgv frame with a yamy tt600 motor in it...cool.... yamy even got in the act when they made the SZR660 (learner legal in nsw, i nearly bought one years ago when the werent!!)...its a big single...

then i saw a yamy zeal 250cc with a turbo running around sydney...

all these ideas mate...hehe

[Gosling1]

.....Would love to see the Z750 with Z1000 motor, ANIMAL !! ......

it should be a great bike to race, much smaller/lighter than a big stock 1 litre frame.......it will be heaps of fun !! should also be good for the occasional track-day as well, just to keep the ZX10R pilots honest

[Johnnie5]

head over to http://www.streetfighters.com.au/

[jpbikeboy]

I have built a custom bike and yes it's a money bucket. I got a zxr750 with zx9 motor, turbo, injected etc etc. Lots of fun to ride but very fiddly. If you want something you can commute on or ride down the island, i wouldn't recommend it. To me it's all worth it when you roll up next to a modern litre bike and smoke em' off the lights. They pull up next to you and say "what the fark have you done to that". my last figure was 217HP at the wheel, but it's rapidly on the rise with a new EMS on order. I'm hoping to see around the 250-260 mark.

[Neka79]

I have built a custom bike and yes it's a money bucket. I got a zxr750 with zx9 motor, turbo, injected etc etc. Lots of fun to ride but very fiddly. If you want something you can commute on or ride down the island, i wouldn't recommend it. To me it's all worth it when you roll up next to a modern litre bike and smoke em' off the lights. They pull up next to you and say "what the fark have you done to that". my last figure was 217HP at the wheel, but it's rapidly on the rise with a new EMS on order. I'm hoping to see around the 250-260 mark.

u got ne pics of that ??

heard abt it, but never seen it...

can ya tell its turbo'd??

oh, and which EFI system u use on it??

[photomike666]

Seen some monsters over the years.

Saw a Yammi V-Max re-shocked so it handled (Ok, GSXR front end through custom triple clamp, custom rear swing arm and decent shock - 18" wheel front and rear), 1400cc big bore kit, high lift cam big bucket valves and nitros just from larks. Made some rediculous BHP at the wheel and won most powerful bike at the show.

As said before ZX9B lump fits in ZX7R frame

FZR1000 lump will fit in FZR750 frame - no mods. The only difference in the motor is the lenght of the stroke.

I believe Spewie bandit 1200 motor will fit in the 600 frame, but don't hold me to that.

It really depends on what your budget will be, how far you are prepared to go and what looks float your boat. UK Streetfighter magazine will give you some idea of what can be done given the budget and time. Some of those creations are built around a chosen engine and everything else is either rigged to fit or custom made. Others are built around a custom frame such as a Harris aimed at a particular engine. Custom make triple clamps, choose what ever top notch shocks, custom swing arm and any top notch rear shock, pick what ever wheels, bodywork to suit.

Some of the rat bikes are worth a look. Spend the time and money on the engine/frame combo, average shocks and matt black paint.

[Kwakka Kilt]

I have built a custom bike and yes it's a money bucket. I got a zxr750 with zx9 motor, turbo, injected etc etc. Lots of fun to ride but very fiddly. If you want something you can commute on or ride down the island, i wouldn't recommend it. To me it's all worth it when you roll up next to a modern litre bike and smoke em' off the lights. They pull up next to you and say "what the fark have you done to that". my last figure was 217HP at the wheel, but it's rapidly on the rise with a new EMS on order. I'm hoping to see around the 250-260 mark.

jpbikeboy, you have built exactly what I want to build, would love to see your bike sometime, was fitting the injection a hard task to the ZX9 motor ???

250 HP on a (Stock Wheelbase ??) bike - Must be a bit friggin squigly when the boost comes in ??!!

ahh supermono (big single)..the have a race class for it (or use to) and phil has a rgv frame with a yamy tt600 motor in it...cool.... yamy even got in the act when they made the SZR660 (learner legal in nsw, i nearly bought one years ago when the werent!!)...its a big single...

then i saw a yamy zeal 250cc with a turbo running around sydney...

Neka, yeah the supermonos are sweet bikes - Around only 65 HP, but torquey and simple to maintain - Nooice.

I think that zeal is in one of my Bike mags, tidy installation, the article says the turbo came off some very small japanese car (Maybe a cappuchino ??)

My uncle had an old TZR250 that he chopped up, pared down and put an RD350 motor into.

He's a fitter and turner by trade and was ruthless in making the bike into as light and razor sharp a thing as he could get it. He machined up a shiteload of parts for it (brackets, triple clamp, some fasteners, engine covers, rear brake caliper etc) and I think he stripped about 10 kg's off the weight of the thing in the end.

Hey Nucci, that TZ sounds sweet - Those bikes are legendary, and to have one with 10 Kg's off it, and a 100cc increase .....

My grandad built a bike out of a lawnmower engine, a pair of large wheelbarrow wheels and a bunch of square steel tubing. Dad used to stick us on his knee when I was about 5 and putt around the back yard

So Loz, is that what gave you the bike bug ay ?? I used to get pillioned around on my uncles Kawasaki and another old MZ, think I was around 6 ... Could'nt stop smiling !!

It really depends on what your budget will be, how far you are prepared to go and what looks float your boat. UK Streetfighter magazine will give you some idea of what can be done given the budget and time. Some of those creations are built around a chosen engine and everything else is either rigged to fit or custom made. Others are built around a custom frame such as a Harris aimed at a particular engine. Custom make triple clamps, choose what ever top notch shocks, custom swing arm and any top notch rear shock, pick what ever wheels, bodywork to suit.

Some of the rat bikes are worth a look. Spend the time and money on the engine/frame combo, average shocks and matt black paint.

Photomike, the build would have to be cheap as poss unfortunately, but I am reckoning if you buy a bike where the motor just bolts straight on (Or near as dammit) - Don't have the money / expertise to modify a frame around a motor, or vice versa (Shame)

I know how to use pipe benders, and can weld if I had the gear, could build up one for not too much dosh ... Pick up a decent turbo off EBay for not too much moola, maybe fit a slightly longer swingarm off a big brother bike etc .... If I can keep the motor stock, and run 6-8 psi boost, things should stay together Just need a bike / motor that comes with injection as standard (As old as poss to save cash), and start the build from there ....

Seen a few rat bikes and streetfighters that have been built on a budget, I reckon if you don't mind not having Ohlins this and Yoshi that (As much as I love the good stuff), you can keep costs down and still have a top bike, just need to be creative ......

Does anyone know ProblemChild, and how his Gixxer/ Bandit build is going ??