Phlebmaster

So, I spoke to the guy who is going to recover my seat. I am thinking of a cafe racer look with colors that follow my bike's paint scheme. Grey down the center, a white strip or piping to separate the side, then red for the sides. Any ideas??? I will have this done in about 3 weeks!! Stay tuned!! Maybe something like this.... Or like this?? I am thinking this is the right way to go...... I like this one!!

Hmmmm....things on the horizon....something new, something old.....Cafe Racer? Stay tuned!!

Starter rebuild accomplished!! I was surprised at how easy this was, this was my first starter rebuild. Here we go again.... Pulled the tank and carbs... Pulled the stator cover off.... Pulled the starter gear and chain..... Starters is out.... Rebuild kit and starter before tear down... What a mess!! This was the most scary part of the whole ordeal...I think you can imagine why. Look at all those pieces!!! Going back together.... I put the tank back on and tested the starter...it cranks better than ever before!!

Guess What.... I have a new chain! Can you see the size difference between the new chain and the old rust rope that was on there before? Quality shows... I have to pick up a master link but those are cheap Next is the starter rebuild and another video! :thumbsup :thumbsup

Hope you have high speed internet! I put in my new clutch and rear sprocket. This is my first time doing this so keep that in mind, anyway I wanted to share what I did. I was very surprised at how simple this was! I put her in the shed... Pulled off all of the unnecessary parts... ' Drained the oil...YUK! Pulled the side cover off... I made marks and took pics of everything before I took anything off. That came off easy! The old clutch plates were pretty worn Next I pulled the rear wheel and the old sprocket which was a 41 tooth, I now have a 45 stock rear. I am very happy about that! That went on easy! It was a very good day! I still need a new 530 X ~108 link chain and some good oil to finish this project! I hope I can get that soon because I am on vacation this week so I was hoping to take her for a ride. ugh!

I have a 1976 KZ400 for my first ride. It is a bit of a project but that is what I love to do with things I am not familiar with. Some interesting facts about the bike...The engine has a 1976 engine code, the frame is stamped with a 1977 VIN, and the Title says 1978. LOL At first I was saying What the heck?!! But after some research I found out that Kawasaki had excess new parts from a lack of sales in 1976 so they put my bike together in 77 and sold it as new in 1978. The bike currently has ~20,000 miles. It is in relativity good shape with the exception of a few minor things. I love the look of this bike, very classic cafe style. I may go that direction since I need to replace the duct tape laden seat. She already has a custom paint job and the chrome is there and rust free for the most part. Mechanically I know I need to do a few things. I have already had the carbs done, new cables, points/condenser, tank cleaned, new hoses, etc... Compression is good and when I had it running it sounds great! I do need to replace the chain/sprockets. I fixed the "no-spark" issue as stated in the other thread. I will also need to do a clutch from what I understand from the previous owner. I like to post pictures of different stages as I do with all of my project threads. (you can google "phlebmaster" to see the others if you wish) so this thread will have many pics and videos. Thank you for taking the time to read about my project! The intent with this thread is to share what I learn with others as I work on this bike. It has worked out very well in the past, so let's get started! Let's start with proper pictures of my bike! Here is a video of her running and my first ride!

This is good news!!

Wow! Even more power capt'n!! I bet that thing flies at warp speed.

Good to see that beast done! Can't wait to drive it.

Geewiz!! I can't seem to get away from these little beasts! I am helping a friend with his 1966 Fairlady Roadster sitting in his driveway. I have the option to buy this car, but right now I am more focused on my daughters and college....so the next best thing is to have this as a project without the ownership. I can live with that for now. As usual I will be making vids and taking pics of this new project. The next on the list is the 1969 510 you will see in the background. The engine has been built with pop up pistons and runs very well. This car has been sitting for a few years so I will have my hands full with rust and making her roadworthy. Here are the pics! I can't wait to drive her!!

Just go down to your local brew shop and buy a kit. If you have the stuff to make wine, then you can make beer. I recommend buying a couple of cans of pre-hopped liquid malt extract, some come with the yeast you will need and only take about 2 weeks before ready for bottles. Wine takes way too long IMO. The above recipe is a more advanced one so don't let it scare you off.

Here is my Chocolate Mocha Stout Recipe and basic brew sheet.... Imperial Stout Type: Partial Mash Date: 4/20/2011 Batch Size: 5.00 gal Brewer: Aaron Boil Size: 6.00 gal Asst Brewer: Tammi (my wife) Boil Time: 60 min Equipment: Brew Pot (6+gal) and Igloo/Gott Cooler (5 Gal) Taste Rating(out of 50): 35.0 Brewhouse Efficiency: 75.00 Ingredients Amount Item Type % or IBU 3.00 lb Dark Dry Extract (17.5 SRM) Dry Extract 16.00 % 3.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 16.00 % 2.50 lb Chocolate Malt (350.0 SRM) Grain 13.33 % 2.00 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L (120.0 SRM) Grain 10.67 % 1.75 lb Special B Malt (180.0 SRM) Grain 9.33 % 1.00 lb Barley, Flaked (1.7 SRM) Grain 5.33 % 1.00 lb Black (Patent) Malt (500.0 SRM) Grain 5.33 % 1.00 lb Oats, Flaked (1.0 SRM) Grain 5.33 % 1.00 oz Magnum [17.00 %] (60 min) Hops 36.5 IBU 1.30 tsp Irish Moss (Boil 10.0 min) Misc 64.00 oz coffee (Boil 5.0 min) Misc 1.50 lb Brown Sugar, Light (8.0 SRM) Sugar 8.00 % 1.00 lb Brown Sugar, Dark (50.0 SRM) Sugar 5.33 % 1.00 lb Cane (Beet) Sugar (0.0 SRM) Sugar 5.33 % 5.00 gal Portland OR Water 1 Pkgs SafAle English Ale (DCL Yeast #US-05) Yeast-Ale Beer Profile Est Original Gravity: 1.117 SG- was going to be way too big so I shorted one bag of DME Measured Original Gravity: 1.065 SG Est Final Gravity: 1.025 SG Measured Final Gravity: 1.015 SG Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 12.17 % Actual Alcohol by Vol: 6.53 % - I boosted this to ~8.5% by adding invert sugars on day 5 Bitterness:36.5 IBU Calories: 293 cal/pint Est Color: 92.6 SRM Color: Obsidian black Mash Profile Mash Name: Temperature Mash, 2 Step, Full Body Total Grain Weight: 12.25 lb Sparge Water: 3.89 gal Grain Temperature: 72.0 F Sparge Temperature: 168.0 F TunTemperature: 72.0 F Adjust Temp for Equipment: FALSE Mash PH: 5.4 PH Temperature Mash, 2 Step, Full Body Step Time Name Description Step Temp 30 min Protein Rest Add 15.31 qt of water at 129.3 F 122.0 F 60 min Saccharification Heat to 152.0 F over 15 min 152.0 F 10 min Mash Out Heat to 168.0 F over 10 min 168.0 F Mash Notes: Two step profile with a protein rest for mashes with unmodified grains or adjuncts. Temperature mash for use when mashing in a brew pot over a heat source such as the stove. Use heat to maintain desired temperature during the mash. Carbonation and Storage Carbonation Type:Corn Sugar Volumes of CO2: 2.4 Pressure/Weight: 3.8 oz Carbonation Used: - Keg/Bottling Temperature: 75.0 F Age for: 28.0 days Storage Temperature: 68.0 F

I will post my Chcolate Mocha Stout recipe tonight for you. The chocolate/caramel type flavors come from the types of grains I use, which you will see in my recipe. I also put 64 oz of a fresh ground chocolate flavored coffee that I brew separately just like I was going to drink it...then add it right after the boil.

Today was bottling day. I had a combo of about 180 22oz and 14oz bottles gracing my kitchen counters this afternoon. And before you ask...no they were all not for me since this batch was a joint venture. But I have my share... As I always do, I have posted a new video of my process for some of you who are curious how this whole thing works. Enjoy!

Nice post! Most of the time beer goes wrong it has to do with sanitation, but the bugs that infect your beer will not kill you...just ruin your brew. lol You may wish you were dead though after all that work.