1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[Nessism]

Checked the charging system voltage and found out it's not (charging that is). Using a SH775 so figured it's the stator, which looks quite good and shows 70+ VAC. Installed another (used) stator and same thing. This one shows 75 volts AC. Tried the old shunting R/R and same thing. Getting my ass kicked here.

Thinking about installing the SH775 on my 1000S to confirm it's okay. I had it on there before and it worked but just want to confirm before ordering a new stator.

EDIT: bad stator (two of them). Ordered a Rick's

[Nessism]

And eagerly waiting for the finished product.

Thanks Dale!

Fixed the oil pressure light. Forgot to hook up the wire to the sensor.

Gotta vacuum sync the carbs and throw the tank on, then double check all the various critical fasteners. Should be able to test ride this weekend.

[rustybronco]

At any rate, getting close....

And eagerly waiting for the finished product.

[Nessism]

Thanks for the kudos Joe!

Got the exhaust leaks sorted out. Love the way the stock exhaust sounds; throaty with a good rumble at low speed, but not overly loud. I'm going to ride the bike around a little bit before pulling the exhaust back off for refinishing.

Next up is working out mounts for the horn and the lower oil cooler mounts. And speaking of the oil cooler, the oil capacity is listed as the same for both the Gpz750 (with cooler) and the KZ750 without. Not sure what's up with that. After running the bike the oil level drops a lot. I added some extra oil but after waiting for an extended period of time the oil cooler drained and the oil is at the top of the sight glass now. Think I'll just leave it there. My oil pressure light isn't going off so gotta look at that too. Based on the oil level dropping as it does it's clear the oil pump is doing it's thing. Might throw a gauge on there to check just for kicks. At any rate, getting close....

Very nice looking! A-1!!

I had an exhaust Jet hoted', really, really tuff stuff, very bullet proof on mine, but costly. They did inside and out in matt black and it looks good after more than 10 yrs.

[Nessism]

Decided to put the bike to dead stock before doing anything more. The pipes look good, just as long as you don't get to close and see the rust speckling in the chrome.

Engine is running. I'm embarrassed to admit how much time I wasted fussing with the cam timing before realizing I had the signal generators mixed up. 1-4 was switched with 2-3 and the engine lit off immediately. Have to fix an exhaust leak on the header attachment to the head but the engine sounds good otherwise. I'm not going to mess with the cams/coils any further until the valves need to be adjusted. This engine is shim under bucket so the cams need to come out to adjust the valves. I'll fix the issue properly next time the cams are out.

Sounds like the system I got on the 85 750EF, alloy cans are the bomb

[Nessism]

You mean that Supertrapp is for a GPz750?Which year?The 82 or 83 and later?Got me going just thinking about itNot that I could afford it even if you wanted to sell itJust wondering while I'm thinking to ask alloy can or steel?

Not sure on the year. The header is the same for the regular 750 and GPZ, but the muffler and midpipes vary depending on year. The muffler has a steel midpipe and then an alloy can.

You mean that Supertrapp is for a GPz750?Which year?The 82 or 83 and later?Got me going just thinking about itNot that I could afford it even if you wanted to sell itJust wondering while I'm thinking to ask alloy can or steel?

[Nessism]

I contacted Jet Hot to get a quote to do my header about 2 years ago. I was quoted around $300 for the header, plus return shipping. I goofed though and forgot to ask about the mid pipe. That was a per foot charge, which I dont recall. A co worker who fools with race cars said I could probably do better locally, but I ended up using header spray paint, which needs to be redone.

Bike is looking great BTW.

Thanks for the comments about the bike.

Local joint says about $200-$250 to "ceramic coat" the exhaust in black. They lightly sandblast to rough up the metal first. If I want silver for a more bright finish they charge a little more because the metal needs to be polished first. I've got a few rough patches on the exhaust so it's a fair bit that some polishing is needed regardless.

I'm going to check out the system in the light of day today and make a decision.

[dorkburger]

I contacted Jet Hot to get a quote to do my header about 2 years ago. I was quoted around $300 for the header, plus return shipping. I goofed though and forgot to ask about the mid pipe. That was a per foot charge, which I dont recall. A co worker who fools with race cars said I could probably do better locally, but I ended up using header spray paint, which needs to be redone.

Bike is looking great BTW.

[Nessism]

Exhaust system frustration setting in. Need to bend the midpipe to get the Supertrapp system to align without hitting stuff in the back. It's not just a matter of making a new hanger bracket or whatever. The header hangs down below the engine more than I like too. One good curb and this thing is going to get scrapped. Not a fan of conventional headers for this reason. Marving makes a nifty system with a flat collector that tucks up nice and snug under the engine but they cost something like $500 in the US, if you can find one. Think I'm going to throw the stock pipes back on for now. They are rash and dent free for the most part, just have some corrosion spots and speckling. Going to find out how much to get them powdercoated with one of these new fangled high temp coatings. I'm afraid of the cost though. Another question is black or silver?

[Nessism]

Starting to look like a motorcycle.

Trying to figure out which exhaust to go with. Unfortunetly, the Supertrapp hangs low under the sump which I hate, and the muffler in the back doesn't align either. Think it's time for plan B...

P1020671 by nessism, on Flickr

P1020672 by nessism, on Flickr

[jsandidge]

Maybe you should go visit that guy across town. He might have your other parts too.

[Nessism]

Created a bit of trouble for myself on the cylinder head. Long story but bottom line is I need one new new intake valve. No big deal. Found a guy on ebay that had a good deal on a NOS Kawasaki valve so ordered it up. Only about 100 miles away and the package was delivered to the PO five days ago but it's not here yet. Just amazing. Have another part inbound from AZ (one state over) and it's taking a long time as well. All those stories about the PO being slow and unreliable are TRUE. I'm getting antsy and want to install the engine this weekend but not sure I'll be able to now.