1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[nvr2old]

All one has to do is look at the first pics to really appreciate how nice it all looks now. Amazing transformation. Well done.

Wow...so nice!

[cowboyup3371]

Wow!!!!! It's looking great

[Nessism]

Little more progress...

Decided to clean up the stock shocks and use them until I decide what to do long term. Had an epic battle (very steep learning curve) with taking these things apart. The adjustable damping mechanism in particular. At any rate, got them sorted. Blasted and gunkoated the springs. Got a few chips during the install process. Bodies and chrome pieces were really pitted so couldn't get rid of all that. Oh well, they will do for now.

Didn't install the rear brake because the hanger bracket looks like crap (corrosion pitting). Going to ebay a new one. Need a new brake pedal too. Painted the one I have black but want chrome. It's only money...

P1010615 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010616 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010649 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010644 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010645 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010646 by nessism, on Flickr

[Nessism]

Put new wires in the coils. Was able to pull the exterior protective shield tubing off the old wires and install them on the new wires. Installed new plug caps too. Went with NGK's from Z1. Not OEM but that's okay for this project.

P1010603 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010602 by nessism, on Flickr

[Nessism]

Good work Ed. Wish I knew you wanted to fit GS1000 progressives. We could have figured something out on the set I have & then I could have got the Sonics for the GS1100 forks...

Oh well...!

Be good to see it when it's done

Hi Dan,

Didn't know the two bikes share the same springs until going to order. Found a good deal on the springs or would have ordered Sonic springs as well.

[salty_monk]

Good work Ed. Wish I knew you wanted to fit GS1000 progressives. We could have figured something out on the set I have & then I could have got the Sonics for the GS1100 forks...

Oh well...!

Be good to see it when it's done

[rustybronco]

Hi Dale,

The fault was mine; the bearing shown in the photo (sticking up too high) belongs on the steering stem. I mixed up the upper and lower roller assembly. The proper bearing is lower profile than the bearing shown.

I just ordered the OEM Kawasaki upper bearing because it comes with a seal attached. Also getting the OEM upper umbrella shield/seal. The lower All Ball's bearing should be okay, after I install the lower seal of course.

No, I probably skimmed through the details.The downfall of my occupational situation at times. I keep getting interrupted.

[Nessism]

Ed, I may be correct or I might be all wet, but to me, the picture you posted showing the upper bearing inserted in the neck looks like the bearing is riding higher than I consider to be correct. My gut tells me if the upper bearing/ race isn't an arm and a leg, spring for new ones.

Hi Dale,

The fault was mine; the bearing shown in the photo (sticking up too high) belongs on the steering stem. I mixed up the upper and lower roller assembly. The proper bearing is lower profile than the bearing shown.

I just ordered the OEM Kawasaki upper bearing because it comes with a seal attached. Also getting the OEM upper umbrella shield/seal. The lower All Ball's bearing should be okay, after I install the lower seal of course.

[rustybronco]

Ed, I may be correct or I might be all wet, but to me, the picture you posted showing the upper bearing inserted in the neck looks like the bearing is riding higher than I consider to be correct. My gut tells me if the upper bearing/ race isn't an arm and a leg, spring for new ones.

[Nessism]

Been researching head bearings in an attempt to sort through this mess.

The later model bikes that came with taper roller bearings use a different upper bearing umbrella shield than the early loose ball head bearing bikes. Kawasaki's upper roller bearing part also has a rubber seal built in. The All Ball's kit comes with a shield/seal, but it won't do much good with the old umbrella part so I ordered the newer type this morning. I'm contemplating ordering the Kawasaki upper bearing too. After all this hassle, want this thing to seal properly.

[Nessism]

That looks like the lower bearing to me. It has that tall boss on the inner race.

Didn't you say the lower tree hits the steering neck after you installed the new bearing and race??

That boss would push your lower tree away from your steering neck if it was installed on your lower tree!!!

Its been like 30 years since I worked on a KZ750E model, so I might be wrong.

I do believe you're right WC! I sure made a mess of this one. Going to have to get another kit because the lower bearing is pressed onto the stem, and their ain't no way to get it off without destroying the bearing (with my existing tools that is).

That looks like the lower bearing to me. It has that tall boss on the inner race.

Didn't you say the lower tree hits the steering neck after you installed the new bearing and race??

That boss would push your lower tree away from your steering neck if it was installed on your lower tree!!!

Its been like 30 years since I worked on a KZ750E model, so I might be wrong.

[Nessism]

Think this may be the wrong bearing?

P1010584 by nessism, on Flickr

[Nessism]

Your KZ750E came with those stupid loose balls and races!!! Someone must have installed some aftermarket tapered roller bearings at one time. I had both '80 and a '81 E model, and both had those little ball bearings that spread all across your shop's floor when you pull the lower tree!!! The Kawasaki microfishe is correct.

I always used the aftermarket roller bearings that K&L Supply sold over the years in my bikes. Never had a problem like you are having with your bearings ever in the ones from K&L!!!

Humm, okay then. Thanks for the info. That would explain a few things. The upper bearing top cap/shield piece is rounded shaped. Do I need to get the rectangular style from a GPz?