Sunday, January 9, 2011

Kawasaki KZ200 Cable Scheme

 

Here the original cable scheme diagram for Kawasaki KZ200 European and US Market.

cable_scheme_kz200_eu_bw_bigcable_scheme_kz200_us_bigcable_scheme_kz200_us_bw_big

Just download for larger image.

Friday, January 7, 2011

What are Bobber Style?

Sometimes I get bored with the standard style motorcycle. it occurred to me to modify it, but at a cost that is not too high. And not too long in the process. In other words, something simple but still has artistic value and functionality of a motorcycle.

After searching the style to suit my taste, my choice finally fell on Bobber style.
What are Bobber Style?
A bobber is a motorcycle that usually has had the front fender removed, the rear fender "bobbed" or made smaller and all superfluous items removed to make it lighter. [Wikipedia]
Bobber choppers are distinguished from regular choppers because their fenders have either been shortened or entirely removed. Bobbing (or removing) the fenders is one of the first things that a custom chopper builder considers to make an ordinary bike look like a true chopper. [Custom Chopper Guide]
 
 
Bobbers are related to choppers in that they represent a minimalistic approach where the motorcycle is stripped of parts or accessories not needed but bobbers generally leaving the characteristics of the stock frame.
The principal difference between a bobber and chopper is that bobbers are typically built around unmodified frames. Chopper frames are often cut and welded into shape. Bobbers also often lack most of the chopper's aesthetic characteristics such as chromed parts and elongated forks. Thus, bobbers are fairly easy to create from stock motorcycles and are generally hand built.


The term chopper started to be used from the late 1960s onwards, a movement inspired the Peter Fonda movie "Easy Rider", for motorcycles whose frames had been customized to have a greater angle at which the front suspension protruded with smaller fuel tanks and tall handlebars called ape hangers. For many owners, the difference between bobbers and choppers doesn't come down to what's on the motorcycle but what isn't on it and whether it has a short front end or a long front end, stretched suspension defining it is a chopper.
Whereas customized motorcycles can be extremely expensive, bobber builders tend to adopt an economical approach involving old, second hand, recycled parts and hand machined items redolent of the period before the mass-market motorcycle accessory industry had developed.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Motorcycle Helmet - Things You Should Know

Motorcycle, dirt bike or big bike whatever you call it, still this thing has one thing in common vulnerability to a crash or an intense impact. For this, before you venture yourself in riding it you better know some precautionary measures to avoid a fatal accident.

First thing is to make sure you are wearing your protective gear especially a helmet. For any reason, a helmet can save your life. It protects your head from fatal injury in case you will have a crash and an impact to your head would be inevitable. This gadget will serve as an outer shell protecting your head as well as your brain as it will absorb the impact with the cushion inside.

Helmetdiagram

The thing is designed to give you comfort and prevent you from distractions like snowflakes, dust and strong wind. The windshield or the visors will prevent your eyes from any debris that will irritate your eyes, which might cause an accident. That is why visors are thicker and should be scratch free in order for you to have a clear vision of the road. It would also prevent you from having sunburn on your face.

Consequently, wearing your helmet is necessary since it is required by the law. It is mandated by the State that people should always wear their helmet every time they will be riding their motorbike to prevent a tragic accident.

Since there are several kinds of these helmets it is advised that people should find one that is comfortable for them to wear. They must also see to it that the kind of helmet they will be using is appropriate for the place and occasion they will be heading because wearing the wrong thing on their heads might turn out to be big destruction instead of protection.

Another thing for you to know about your helmet is the fit - make sure you are comfortable with it. It should not be too tight or too loose. It should have a good fitting to your head, that when you will be heading outdoors it will not be a nuisance to your ride.

Finally, by wearing your helmet, you will be proving to everybody that you are a law abiding citizen and that you are responsible for your deeds. Thus obeying the law is your primary concern as an individual and as citizen of the nation. Besides, helmets protect your life while you're on board that bike. This alone should be reason enough for you to wear one.

Head gear is important to protect injury. You can either wear a biker face mask or maybe open faced motorcycle helmets, whichever fits you.

Kawasaki KZ-200 Series

1977-78 KZ200-A1


  • Single Over Head
  • Camshaft
  • 5-Speed Return Shift
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Cerulean Blue, Garnet Brown
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KZ200AE000001-
  • Frame No.: KZ200A-000004 -
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99997-683 plus 99997-683-01R, (G) 99997-683-50S, (E) 99997-687
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99932-001-00, (E) 99983-052-00
  • Shop Manual No.: 99931-541-00
  • Remarks: Four-stroke, single-cylinder commuter, with mechanical front disc brake, safety side stand, and electric starter. Steering lock is combined with ignition switch.




1979 KZ200-A2

  • 200 cc
  • Four-stroke, 1 Cylinder
  • Over Head Camshaft
  • 5-Speed, Return Shift
  • Tire Sire
  • Front: 2.75- 18 4PR
  • Rear: 3-25-17 6PR
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Metallic Black (except (L)), Firecracker Red
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KZ200AE026501~
  • Frame No.: KZ200A-026501~
  • Parts Catalogue No.: (U) 99910-1027-01 plus 99910-1027-50R, -51R
  • (E) 99910-1041-02, (G) 99930-1052-02
  • Service Manual No.:
  • (U) 99924-1009-01,(E)(G) 99931-541-03
  • Owner's Manual No.:
  • (U) 99920-1047-01, (E)(G) 99922-1025-02
  • Remarks: Four-stroke, 1 Cylinder Commuter. Mechanical front disc 'brake, safety side stand, electric starter, steering lock combined with ignition switch.

 



1980 KZ200-A3

  • Color
  • Fuel Tank : Firecracker Red , Metallic Black
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KZ200AE036501 -
  • Frame No.: KZ200A-036611 -
  • Parts Catalogue No. : Same as KZ200-A2
  • Service Manual No.: 99931-541-03
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99922-1080-02 , (S) 99923-1016-01
  • Major Changes: Automatic chain tensioner, carburetor, fork emblem.

 



1981 KZ200-A4

  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Brilliant Blue, Moon Dust Silver
  • Front Fender: Chrome
  • Engine No.: KZ200AE054201
  • Frame No.: KZ200A-042001
  • Parts Catalogue No.: 99910-1131-01 , (E) Microfiche
  • Service Manual No.: 99931-541-03
  • Owner's Manual No.: 99922-1101-01
  • Major Changes: Transistorized ignition, color & graphic, rear shock absorbers.

 



1982 KZ200-A5

  • Four-stroke, 1 Cylinder, Single Over Head Camshaft,
  • 5-Speed, Return Shift
  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Luminous Passion Red, Galaxy Silver
  • Front Fender: Chrome plated
  • Engine No: KZZOOAE068501 -
  • Frame No: KZZ00A-045804 -
  • Parts Catalogue No: 99910-1731-02
  • Service Manual No: 99931-541-05
  • Owner's Manual No: 99922-1774-01
  • Remarks: Commuter bike. Mechanical front disc brake, rear drum brake, steering lock combined with ignition switch.

 



1983-85 KZ200-A6

  • Color
  • Fuel Tank: Galaxy Silver, Luminous Passion Red
  • Front Fender: Chrome plated
  • Engine No: KZ200AE082501 -
  • Frame No: KZ200A-046801 -
  • Parts Catalogue No: 99910-1316-01
  • (UK) 99917-5162-02 (Micro)
  • Service Manual No: Same as 2200-A5
  • Owner's Manual No: 99922-1233-02
  • Changes: Hydraulic front disc brake, Camshaft, balancer mechanism.

 



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Classic Motorcycles - Kawasaki Z1


Picture by Japanesse Classic

The powerhouse of the Japanese motorcycle industry was already starting to dominate the small to mid capacity range by the mid 1960s.

Despite famously believing that the Japanese would never enter the last area of motorcycle manufacture they did not already almost dominate, the 500cc+ class, the British motorcycle industry suffered a body blow in 1968.

Triumph had just released their new big bike, the Trident, a 750cc in line triple, which they hoped would open up a new era in motorcycling, moving as it did away from the popular and accepted twins of the day.

In one sense they were right, bikes were set to get bigger. Where they got it spectacularly wrong however, was in underestimating their Japanese competition, to their supreme cost.
Indeed, just a few months after the launch of the Trident, in October 1968, Honda launched their CB750 at the Tokyo Motorcycle show.
To cut a long story short, this absolutely trounced everything else in its class, and is often regarded as the first true superbike.
But it wasn't just Triumph who suffered. Honda just beat Kawasaki in the race to lead the 750cc class.

Since early 1967, Kawasaki had been working on a 750cc machine of their own, for a 1968 launch. The launch of the Honda however beat them to the mark, and the Kawasaki was dropped without going into full production. Kawasaki retreated into their lair, bruised, disappointed, but far from broken. They had a plan.
The CB750 was the bike to beat in the early 1970s, and Kawasaki was absolutely determined not just to beat it, but to outclass it. And they did.

In fact, what they did was introduce a new class to the general motorcycling public, the 900cc class in the form of its Z1.

Kawasaki wanted this machine to be perfect from the start. The Honda CB750 had moved bikes away from the "character" of oil leaks and broken seals. Reliability was no longer an afterthought, but a basic entry point.
Now the goal was added power, performance and handling with everything else as standard. Test riders riding under complete secrecy, rode the bikes flat out until the fuel ran out to check reliability; testing was lengthy and without compromise.

When the Z1 was launched in late 1972, it was the horsepower and handling that was to capture the bike riding community. 15bhp more than the Honda CB750 at 88bhp, made this machine capable of cruising all day at 90mph, and with a top speed of 130, a revelation for the time.

This bike not only became the new king, but also gave birth to the "unburstable" label given to this and subsequent Kawasaki engines.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Helmet - Between Style And Safety

Many people are searching for traditional motorbike helmets these days. A score of shops are present to meet your needs as well as you can find online stores selling helmets. There are various kinds of helmets for you to choose the most suitable one, that would look stylish and give you the much needed protection while driving. With the advent of new technologies there are a lot of designs and graphics that have been developed. They are very lavishly designed to provide you all the comforts including the styles.


The most commonly used helmet is the motorcycle crash helmets. This type of helmet enables you to cover the entire head including the face portion. It is because of this design that this helmet is one most accepted amongst motorbike riders. It ensures the best deal of protection level unlike the other helmets. It has been seen that the riders going through the trauma of heat, hearing losses and sensation of the claustrophobia usually opt for this helmets.
Open face helmet belongs to the other helmet type that people go for. It is quite similar to that of a full-face helmet. The only additional feature of these kinds of helmets is the presence of visors, which prevent the passage of sunrays. In a way it acts as a secured mode of protection for the eyes. Half helmet is another kind of helmet that is being used these days. But before you opt to purchase these types of helmets, be assured that the criteria of the government standards are taken good notice of.


But still if you are not satisfied with the features you can anytime have a custom made one. It really endeavors special effects within itself with its own uniqueness. All the more, custom made helmets provide you with utmost safety, security and style while driving. It should be always remembered that helmets are meant for safety purposes rather than being meant for stylish purposes. Keeping this in mind go for the perfect one for yourself

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Chopper Anaconda

Creativity Raynaldo Handoko of Semarang deserves two thumbs up. How not. Only with machines Kawasaki KZ-200 Binter Merzy gift of a friend who is now in Australia. Modified BJM members who are also traders of variation, accessories importer and builder of this engine is also able to build a cool ProStreet chopper.

Raynaldo here, which is familiarly called Han-Han, to exploit existing ideas in his brain. The choice, the style of the genre masterpiece of American chopper style. "The idea is to see from the plots Chica Custom Chopper, United States," he explained.


He relied on in creating handmade. Start of frame, body, taped up trappings variations. In addition, he has cultivated a strong and terkonsep details.

Almost all sides until Footstep, standards, and the brake lever is formed through captivating taste. "His name is also handmade, we become more flexible in creating," he explained.

To order constructed of pipe schedule 3/4 dim neatly formed and measured precision. Because, rather than merely being pursued beautiful, but can be worn comfortably. "Do not get in a good shape, but when it climbed only baseball center because of faulty design," added Han-Han.

Anaconda wearing body resembling a galvanized plate. Technically, the cultivation of 0.8-mm plate material was quite complex. Have to be patient and neat and symmetrical because not enough just to set up master and print like fiberglass.

"That's where his art. In addition to consideration as well as connect the body from front to back, it must seem sturdy plastic and does not impress," why choose disposable plates.

Another performance of the work of the prominent Han-Han, see the distinctive exhaust design tastes of the chopperis. Two short lengths of pipe bending slope at the side of the machine. Then, air filter, swing arm, and several sharp curves dominated motor side, supporting the body design of Anaconda.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Live Your Teenage Dreams - Restore a Classic Motorcycle


Author: Douglas Titchmarsh



Photo by VD Classic

Do you have a memory of a local motorcyclist and his motorcycle, and how you wished you could be the owner of that fine metal steed?

Many of us look back with fond memories of motorcycles of days gone by, and remember how cool they looked, and how we wished we could own one at the time. Now we're older the bikes have moved on, but that doesn't mean we should forget all about those old motorbikes. In fact the opposite is true, now those bikes we looked at with awe and envy all those years gone by are becoming classics, and as such are worth saving from the scrapheap.

Classic motorcycle restoration isn't all about locking yourself away in a garage and becoming an expert on which grade of chrome was used to plate the headlamp retaining bolt. Motorcycle restoration is a fun hobby for everyone, from the DIY mechanic to those who just want to ride a motorcycle they never could afford when they were younger. You don't even need to have a lot of spare money as some classic motorbikes can be picked up quite cheaply in various states of repair. Some motorbikes can, with a little attention, be ridden almost immediately and yet still not hit your wallet too hard.

Another thing worth thinking about is the investment factor of classic motorcycle restoration. You can pick up a cheap bike, do some small repairs and cosmetic tidying, and already it's started to increase in value. It doesn't need to be a complete nuts and bolts restoration to increase the value, with some extra care even as you enjoy riding it over a few years, a classic bikes value can increase greatly, and could mean you can make a tidy profit if you decide to sell it later.

It may take some time to restore a classic motorcycle, but it doesn't need to be done all at once. Some vintage motorcycles are ridden when possible, and worked on between rides. My own motorcycle is always left in a usable state between work being carried out. All it means is you don't have a perfect bike straight away. You don't even need to be riding the bike to take your time over the restoration, a lot of classic motorcycles are left in bits for a long while as the owners can't afford to buy the parts they need all at once.

There are plenty of classic motorcycles out there still to choose from, and your own teenage favorites could well be just waiting for you to pick them up and give them a home. Imagine living out that teenage fantasy of owning the motorcycle of your dreams, it doesn't matter that it's 20 years on you can still enjoy owning that dream motorbike. Only now instead of being called a teenage hoodlum, you'd be a respected classic motorcycle owner.

About the Author
The author Douglas Titchmarsh is the owner of several motorcycle themed websites including Z750 Twin Project , and co-author of the e-book "Classic Motorcycle Restoration - Tips From A Classic Motorcycle Junkie"

Monday, December 21, 2009

Jap Style a.k.a Japanese Style

Japanese Style or Jap Style is a genre of motorcycle modification, its minimalist and almost naked. Usually has the characteristics of the large tires and throwing accessories are not necessary. Only some important parts are still mounted as headlight, turn lights, and brake lights. Maybe some pictures below can inspired you.









Friday, December 11, 2009

Dangers of Motorcycle Parts Defect


In Los Angeles, motorcycle parts defect that lead to accidents are not all that uncommon. With thousands of motorists riding these 2 wheeled vehicles for speed and convenience, the motorcycle has become a part of the culture of Los Angeles.

Most motorists who buy a new motorcycle quickly assumes that everything is perfectly fine only to be involved later on to an accident caused by a motorcycle part defect.

In fact just in 2005, more than 87,000 motorcyclists’ sustained injuries and more than 4,500 died as a result of motorcycle accidents, some of which were caused by motorcycle parts defect.

Who can blame them? Some of those buyers even bought the new motorcycle to replace an old defective motorcycle. That is why it is important to be careful in buying motorcycles or any other vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration or NHTSA sets the minimum performance requirement for all motorcycle parts.

It is also tasked to investigate complaints by motorists about certain safety-related defects and decide whether a recall will be necessary.

The United States Code for Motor Vehicle Safety refers to safety related defects as a problem that exists in a motorcycle or any vehicle equipment or part that:

• Poses a risk to motorcycle safety.

• May exist in a group of motorcycles of the same design and manufacture or items of the same type.

Here are some examples of motorcycle defects that may be safety related:

• Defective steering components that break suddenly resulting to lost control

• Fuel system component problems

• Accelerators controls that either breaks and/or sticks

• Cracked or broken tires

• Sears or back seats that fail during use

• Important motorcycle parts that breaks or separates from the vehicle resulting to loss of vehicle control

• Wiring system problems

• Defective child safety seats.

To avoid purchasing motorcycles with defective parts here are a few guidelines that you can follow in buying a motorcycle:

• Research – Research the model and manufacturer of the motorcycle you are about to buy. Find out if there has been a recall order on that particular motorcycle model.

• Get opinions – Talk to people who have purchased the same motorcycle model. Ask them if they are satisfied with the performance or are there problems that they are encountering. Even the small things may matter when you make a decision.

• Talk to mechanics – Ask them about their expert opinion about the model. You can also ask them if the motorcycle model is often brought to their shop for certain problems. You can also ask them to make a recommendation on what brand and model has the best overall performance.

• Get motorcycle history – If you are buying a used motorcycle, make sure you find out about its history. How many previous owners has it had? Had it been involved in an accident? Has any parts of the motorcycle been replaced? Those are just some of the things you have to find out about the vehicle.

• Be suspicious of cheap motorcycles – Most cheap motorcycles are just that. Cheap. There is a reason why these motorcycles are sold in a low price and most likely it is also because of very low quality.

There are already thousands of road accidents in Los Angeles that are caused by various reasons like speeding, dui, and reckless driving. It is best not to add motorcycle defects to those reasons if it can be avoided.