1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[Vmass]

Thanks for the props Rich. All those restorations you have been doing is inspiring me.

My "good" spray gun is a Sataminijet. https://www.sata.com/index.php?id=mi...=11#ad-image-0 Bought it a few years ago. It's a regular minijet, not sure what changes they made when it went to "3000 B" model. Prices on these has shot up quite a bit since I bought mine. No way I'd pay retail now a days. At any rate, having spray equipment is a "must have" in my opinion.

Looks like retail is around $400 + for a new one. I will keep my eye out for a deal. Thanks for the link it looks like a great sprayer.

[Nessism]

Looks like retail is around $400 + for a new one. I will keep my eye out for a deal. Thanks for the link it looks like a great sprayer.

You can purchase a nice spray gun for about $100 off ebay. Lots of options if you get to that point.

[Nessism]

Hand controls were heavily weathered so bought a couple better units for parts off ebay. Took them all apart and cleaned/greased in innards. Fixed a broken wire here and there too. Good fun.

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[850 Combat]

Is that 4.1 cfm at 29 psi accurate? Thats not much compared to dome cheapies I have looked at.

Great looking work so far.

[Nessism]

Was struggling to find a rear master that didn't have a pitted bore. Bought one off ebay that turned out to be junk. Found a decent looking one on ebay and sent a note asking the seller if they would be so kind as to open it up and look for corrosion. No response. Found another one and asked again. This time the seller came back with a personal note, and not only opened it up, he sent me some photos! Great service. In one of those small world moments the seller turned out to be our own Joe Whelan. Imagine that! Needless to say I bought it! Thanks again Joe!

[jwhelan65]

Was struggling to find a rear master that didn't have a pitted bore. Bought one off ebay that turned out to be junk. Found a decent looking one on ebay and sent a note asking the seller if they would be so kind as to open it up and look for corrosion. No response. Found another one and asked again. This time the seller came back with a personal note, and not only opened it up, he sent me some photos! Great service. In one of those small world moments the seller turned out to be our own Joe Whelan. Imagine that! Needless to say I bought it! Thanks again Joe!

My pleasure Ed

[Nessism]

Keihin carbs are kicking my as$. Can't get the choke linkage to operate smoothly. These carbs use a butterfly valve type choke, and there is some friction in the linkage and the return spring is very weak. Found a little bit of glass bead grit on one of the choke rods so going to take the carbs back apart and see if that's it. I'm feeling like quite the carb rookie right now and not liking it. Mostly though, I'm cussing Keihin for using such a wimpy return spring.

[Nessism]

Got the rear wheel Gun Koted. Turned out decently enough. Glad these things are done. Can't believe how much work they have been. Also painted the handlebars. Not sure I'm going to use them yet though. Bought some OEM Kawasaki handlebars, superbike bend, but they are really narrow. Strange. Painted these to hedge my bet.


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[Wester Cooley]

I have not heard anybody using Kal Gard Gun Kote in years!!!! Back in the 70's and 80's Gun Kote was only available in a grayish color. I used to do all my motors in Gun Kote. It looks like its available now in more colors by the nice black on your rim. That rim looks GREAT!!!!

Do you still have to heat the part up first before you spray it, and then have to bake it for like an hour??? Still smell horrible?? Did you get your Gun Kote right from Kal Gard?? Did you use a spray gun??

They used to have KG9600 coatings in all kinds of kool colors to do your rims in. My trademark back then was Gold rims on my bikes. I did a '80 KZ750E1 with gold engine cases, and gold wheels that matched the gold pin stripping on the fuel tank back in in the day.

[Nessism]

Instructions for the Gun Kote say to heat the part to 120F before spraying, but I only did it minimally. Don't think it's strictly necessary, rather it helps reduce runs. Once sprayed the GK drys to the touch quickly, then yes, you bake it to cure. 325F for an hour, but I ran it up a little hotter and longer since they say that increases hardness. I didn't think it stunk bad at all. Nothing compared to the smell of regular paint curing. KG Industries is the manufacturer, and they sell direct. The newer product is the 2400 series. Supposedly better than the original 2300 version, but how to know for sure? Yes, on the spray gun. Clean gun with acetone. I'd like to do the engine but that means, I think, removing all the old paint. I did that with the wheels, and it was a pain, but not sure I'd like to do that with the engine. Maybe. One interesting detail is that the Gun Kote needs heat to cure. The tiniest little touch with an acetone wettened rag can remove the dry to touch stuff. Easy clean up if you get some tape bleed though or overspray, but be careful handling the parts before curing.

[Nessism]

Carbs are done! Had an epic battle with the choke linkage. The spring is very weak and any slight amount of friction in the system causes the butterfly's to hang. Took a while but finally got it where I'm happy. The Keihin carbs are quite similar to the BS Mikuni's used on later GS bikes. Main differences are the choke and the Keihin's have a two stage main jet. Not sure how well they meter but I've read some reviews that say these 750's get pretty good fuel mileage - over 50 mpg. Fingers crossed on that anyway.


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[nvr2old]

Jeez..those babies look brand new..w/o being over-the-top. Just the right amount of natural and shiny finishes. Beautiful restraint.

[tkent02]

Was struggling to find a rear master that didn't have a pitted bore. Bought one off ebay that turned out to be junk. Found a decent looking one on ebay and sent a note asking the seller if they would be so kind as to open it up and look for corrosion. No response. Found another one and asked again. This time the seller came back with a personal note, and not only opened it up, he sent me some photos! Great service. In one of those small world moments the seller turned out to be our own Joe Whelan. Imagine that! Needless to say I bought it! Thanks again Joe!

My pleasure Ed

I love how this forum works, when it's working well. Way to go Joe!

[rustybronco]

And you call me OCD...

Beautiful work as usual Ed!

[Nessism]

And you call me OCD...

Hey Dale,

Most of the removable hardware and such were replated. Exception being the parts attached to the throttle butterfly valves, which look somewhat dingy, which bugs me. Really don't want to pull those things out though. OCD? Maybe just a little.