The KZ400 is an oft-overlooked UJM made by Kawasaki from '74 to '84. When stripped of its body work and reduced to the basics, it starts looking pretty good. In the hands of a pro like Cory Hebert at Maindrive Cycles, it gets even better. Rather than take the easy way and just lop off the rear end and throw on a universal fiberglass tail, Cory built a loop and crafted this KZ's tail from steel.
This is one of the first ChopCult features to show actual in-progress photos so you can visualize the build process. There are more on Cory's Flickr Page. In its raw state the machine looks menacing and ready to go, and even slicker finished off with paint and seat.
Owner: Andy Hines
Location: Carrollton, TX
Bike name: Slack Stealer, it's a phrase I overheard my son using. He and his older brother were fighting over a blanket while watching TV. The younger one yelled, “Gimme some slack, you ol’ slack stealer!” My wife and I looked at each other and started laughing, and it came to me: "That’s the name of my bike." My son takes credit for it at every opportunity
Engine, year and make, model, modifications: 1977 Kawasaki KZ400, bone stock
Frame: Stock, but heavily modified with custom tail section and upper shock mounts, and lots of unused stuff removed
Fork: Lowered 2 inches, legs and trees shaved and powdercoated gloss black
Tire/wheel size and style: 3.50" x 18" Coker Firestone classics; stock wheels with a dark grey sparkle powdercoat
Favorite thing about this bike: Riding it!
Next modification will be: I’m not interested in adding or changing a thing
Other mods, accessories, cool parts, etc: Fabrication and assembly by Maindrive Cycle; gas tank, tail section, seat pan, exhaust, battery box/internal wiring, wheel lacing/truing
Cool parts: FabKevin Single Shot tag plate, Burly 10.5" shocks
Paint by Scott at The Backstreet Bucket
Seat upholstery by Hardluck Designs
Builder: Maindrive Cycles
creaturefiend1972
CONDOR84
That bike is freaking awsome, and to think I was wondering lately why a chop on one had seldom been featured anywhere. Much respect.
BadMonkeyMW
mjasen10
ridemore16
Diablo
ShittySmerf
Stuelke
MegaDON666
Nosebleed
I dig it.
Saltytonk
n craigsist a few months ago. I l
l be looking for another one.
kizzzottt
inxs
Turned out good.
Sighless
lostsoul69
Jesse13
HardLuckDesigns
rider728
great paint, too!
dannyb
TikiTodd
WarGhost
davidabl
bmxatv
Poppy
payupcycles
motomotard
dertyD
beanmachine
ZGerman