TOPIC:

Hello all. I actually started using this website a few years ago but before it was in this forum style format. I have a 1980 KZ1300B that I acquired from a fellow engineer for a reverse trike project about 6+ years ago. The previous owner had attempted to do the same thing so it was already parted out quite a bit. With the help of this forum and eBay I was able to get it to breath fire again and today it is being re-purposed as a reverse trike. Enjoy the attached pics and have a great day.

On a side note, I had a custom tank made for it recently and will be selling the original tank.

Apologies first, I am sure some great engineering has gone into this and I am far from a puritan. but I don't understand why anyone would do this to a z13, once again apologies but I don't get it. However I am impressed with the engineering skills and vision it has taken to do this.

I for one, am interested in your progress. You obviously have a vision for the project. I just can't envision exactly where you're going with it. Do you have a sketch of where you're trying to take this project. Curious to see it.

Welcome to the "club" There are a few trike builders playing on the site who will be keeping an eye on what you're doing.

looks really heavy, I guess I cant see where it is going, and why? kind of a waste of a good bike.. great build ability though..

What ever floats your boat bro nice work even though i like my knee down scratching my head why i have a Z13 at all now they are addictive it what ever form cheers

Thanks for the comments and support. I humbly apologize to the purists of the KZ1300. A little history behind my decision:
I first came across the reverse trike concept as a kid. I read an article in Popular Mechanics about a guy named Robert Q Riley who build the Trimagnum (he has a website) using a VW Beetle front suspension mated to a 1979 KZ900. He also created plans and instructions for building these unique vehicles for sale to the public. That stuck in my mind for many years. Fast forward to about 9 years ago. While working for S&S Cycle of Viola, WI I finally decided to buy those plans and see what it would take to build one for myself. I posted a sketch/picture in my cube and that's when the engineer with the KZ1300 saw it and told me about this bike he had and that the previous owner planned to make into a Trimagnum! What were the odds? It was never my intention (nor had I even considered it) to restore this bike. What ever donor bike I came across was going to become a reverse trike. That was/is my dream. This is obviously a morph of the original plans and yes it's a bit heavier but I wanted it to be stronger and safer and I didn't want my legs to be draped over the front axle. Given it's condition and location I don't know if this bike would have ever seen the light of day again if not for this project. It's been an amazing experience so far and I definitely have a strong respect for this bike and it's history and all of you for keeping it alive. I have a clay model I've been playing with for the body concept. I'll attach pics once I get it where I want it so you can see the vision. Here's a couple of pics of the basket case I inherited. Notice: no headers, no electrical, no air box, etc. Ride on and have a great day.