Hey guys,

Still working on my VN750.

Just got a bunch of supplies and parts in the mail. Hope to have an update on that one soon.

I recently picked up a 1989 Kawasaki 454. It's old and beat to hell and it's going to be a fun project. I would like to start a build log, and wanted to know if y'all would be okay with me posting in the builds section or if that would be considered in bad taste.

The 454 was produced for 5 years before being reintroduced to the market as the Vulcan 500. She's basically a baby 750 and I'm pretty stoked.

Anyways, let me know! Thanks.

Edit: Here she is! Lets get this party started.


She came with a pile of parts. She seen better days.

Do it up.they chop well

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I believe I've answered your question.
We need photos by the way....

that's all I'm gonna say about it!

just wait till I start my ironhead thread

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I love this place haha.

Doc, you've been around long enough you can get away with it!

Alright gentlemen, pictures and updates by the end of the day.

My first Kawasaki was a 454 LTD. I really liked that bike.

Moved the other girls around and got her set up.
First step, clean her good, take inventory of whats there
and whats not, look for broken / missing parts, etc.


Stripping her down so I can get in there and clean


Using the ol dremel to scrub some rust spots off the frame.
Not too worried about cleaning up the shocks, theyre getting replaced.


Wait a minute..


Free tools, score!


Mufflers off, Center stand off, Battery box out, Tail subframe off

I want to do a rear end conversion similar to this,
chop the sissy bar, mount a Softtail seat, swap the shocks.


And I want to do the bars like this one here


Plan to weld these to the stock headers and use black header
wrap for most of the pipe. Probably leave about 6" of chrome
and the fishtail poking out the back.


The front end is right trashed. Need a new instrument panel,
ignition, keys, etc. Im going to focus on getting the engine
running and making sure the bike turns over and such first,
but long term ill be replacing the bars, grips and mirrors.

Im also considering doing a front end swap. The forks from
the 1986 VN750 are a direct bolt on. I think Im going to swap
the forks and front wheel so I can get that dual front disk.


Plan is as follows:

1) Clean the bike up and down all over.
2)Pull the carbs and have them sonic cleaned / rebuilt.
3) Replace all the fuel / air lines and coolant hoses.
3A) Coolant reservoir is missing and needs install.
4) Flush the oil and coolant system.
5) Change the spark plugs.
6) Install K&N filters
7) Inspect and repair / replace wires as needed.
8) Replace the electronics (Regulator, Relays, etc).

Hopefully at that point she will turn over and then I can proceed with
other parts of the build, like the front / rear end, etc.

Heres how she sits currently, Ive sprayed her down with a 50/50 mix
of CLR and Water and scrubbed a lot of spots with a wire brush. After
I verify the engine is running and take of all of the above, I plan to go
ahead and paint the frame and engine.

I don't understand why anyone would rebuild a Kawasaki . they are junk.I'd make a digger outta a Vespa.or be chopular and weld up a hardail Honda rebel.all kidding aside,I've seen a lot done with Kawasaki twins.good power for the size.

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