ive got a question

[zacmon]

so i got myself a complete n beautiful running 1979 Kawasaki kz400 to throw in my buggy.. question I have is that I plan to just take off the front and the back of the bike and keep the engine n everything in the frame and just mount that to the buggy. there is plenty of room for it in there...think that will work??? another thing is I realized on the back tires the inner tread rubs just abit..can I simply use washers as spacers or what can I do??

 

[firemanjim]

sure thing dude! If it where me, I'd cut the bike frame/ engine cradle so that you have all of the engine mount, but no clutter looking mess when you're done. Before you cut anything, look and see what can be used as a tie in/ bracing point onto the new frame. Whack that sucker and get to welding it in place.
Now, that's a LOT of engine! Make sure it's all braced properly. Can you post a pic or 2 of your "buggy"?

 

[zacmon]

ya it is plenty..i was lookin at an 850 but it personally don't want to do wheelies..ill post some pics tomorrow..some from when I picked it up n some from now..i flex sealed the chasis n painted the roll cage n back/front bumper hunter green..

 

[firemanjim]

of yeah! You're on the right track.... Does that thing have any suspension, besides the balloon tires? I like the odd look of it.... Do you know who made it?

 

[zacmon]

cool..umm no suspension at all..i was just gonna take springs like from a riding mower seat.. maybe bout 10 of them..then sandwich them between 2 boards for a little cushion on the butt n spine..eventually I will get a more legit suspension on it. As far as who built im not sure of his name but guy who bought it from him said he had a lot of buggys carts and all kinds of fun toys..said he work for GM...but ya its definitely unique.hopefully I can get her road legal by next year..check it out with the green

 

[firemanjim]

Road legal?! where do you live? You mean for surface street use, right?

 

[zacmon]

I live in the middle of Wisconsin..and by road legal I mean as in driving it to work n down the street and stuff like that..the hardest thing id hav to do is add disc brakes in front and drums in the back..ill use the blinker system from the bike add a spot for the liscense plate put bumpers on it and of course seat belts and a windshield aand that's all I need to be road legal around here... but that's all in good time

 

[88nightrider]

aand that's all I need to be road legal around here...

Looks like i'll be moving to Wisconsin J/K

I wish the rules here where a bit... let's just say friendly

 

[zacmon]

ya theres a few other specifications with headlights andlittle minor stuff like that..first thing first is to get it running

 

[Scout]

If this was my project I would trade that 440 for something water cooled, even if it was a 250. The 440, or any motor, won't be getting much airflow across it's fins and will likely overheat. It may be possible to put a fan in front of it, but fans suck a lot of power and those old alternators didn't put out much amperage. A water cooled bike will offer you the opportunity to locate the radiator in a strategic spot, and the alternators are designed to put out enough to run lights and a fan. The added benefits are that the newer w/c motors make more power with less displacement. Also, I haven't' seen your buggy in person, but I'd be willing to bet that it will not be a straight shot from the engine to the axle.

 

[zacmon]

you r right about the water cooled engines..the plan is to most likely put a fan on it.. I really don't need the lights right now..this will be my first build so theres always room for upgrades later on..judging by how im connecting the bike to the buggy its gonna be straight above from the axle so thatll work out..plus I thought about having a small fin/flap under the body to kickup a little extra air to the engine