hi welcome to the forum and your first post. I noticed the Hungarian flag on your avatar so English is not your first language well done making such a longish post readable and with only minimal errors. thank you.
that is quite an insight into how non mainstream mods can be done on these bikes lifting the lid so to speak on how to and not how to do things. in the end you have a bike your happy with and want to keep it that is always the goal isn't it.
it is not for anyone else to criticise your methods or results. but finding things out as you go along is part of the fun.
I am not surprised by your findings. a little research has big rewards not for the purists perhaps but in any event worthwhile it is not always about more power or speed which is a good job as there is very little gain to be had without spending mega bucks that is totally lost on a 80's runabout.
if you spend some time researching the history of these bikes the manufacturing methodology and mindset of the designers you will understand how you can change things for little effort and money yet get the bike to suit your needs when starting out from a useless wreck to working best for you bike.
did you know for instance the engine in this (and other like models) started out as a 450cc that is basically half of a early 900cc 4 cyl engine bored to 454 and later 500. so yes half of the manifold from a 900 fits you can use either the right side or the left side depending on which side you want the can on. also almost any other Kawasaki part made for sportsbikes fit just fine. so any swing arm. wheels. forks brakes ect fit right on. just the spacers and fixings need changing. handy if you hate those 16in narrow gen 1 wheels.
the only thing I find surprising is you used ER500 cams (unless they were all you could get) they are far milder than the EX/GPZ cams produce less torque and power than the more aggressive stock ones.
anyway enough from me. well done on the completion of your project. a few photos would be welcome (we like photos)
that is quite an insight into how non mainstream mods can be done on these bikes lifting the lid so to speak on how to and not how to do things. in the end you have a bike your happy with and want to keep it that is always the goal isn't it.
it is not for anyone else to criticise your methods or results. but finding things out as you go along is part of the fun.
I am not surprised by your findings. a little research has big rewards not for the purists perhaps but in any event worthwhile it is not always about more power or speed which is a good job as there is very little gain to be had without spending mega bucks that is totally lost on a 80's runabout.
if you spend some time researching the history of these bikes the manufacturing methodology and mindset of the designers you will understand how you can change things for little effort and money yet get the bike to suit your needs when starting out from a useless wreck to working best for you bike.
did you know for instance the engine in this (and other like models) started out as a 450cc that is basically half of a early 900cc 4 cyl engine bored to 454 and later 500. so yes half of the manifold from a 900 fits you can use either the right side or the left side depending on which side you want the can on. also almost any other Kawasaki part made for sportsbikes fit just fine. so any swing arm. wheels. forks brakes ect fit right on. just the spacers and fixings need changing. handy if you hate those 16in narrow gen 1 wheels.
the only thing I find surprising is you used ER500 cams (unless they were all you could get) they are far milder than the EX/GPZ cams produce less torque and power than the more aggressive stock ones.
anyway enough from me. well done on the completion of your project. a few photos would be welcome (we like photos)
