1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[SVSooke]

Looks like a mighty big project.

Really?Looks like a medium to light one in my books.

[Nessism]

Looks like a mighty big project.

Really?Looks like a medium to light one in my books.

Ron, this bike is in worse condition than your 850 we had been talking about. To be honest, purchasing your bike would have saved me a lot of time and energy, but I've already owned two 850's and welcome a new and different project.

The photos under represent the corrosion situation. It's going to take a lot of work to bring this thing back to the condition I prefer. It can be made a runner fairly easily, but a proper clean up is going to cost me many hours in the garage.

[SVSooke]

Cleaning up stuff like that is what I like to do the most. A question of what you like to do.

[almarconi]

As a fellow KZ owner I must subscribe. Can't wait to watch the rebuild.

[Vmass]

Subscribed......... the paint doesn't seem all that bad. Looks like lots of oxidation on the unpainted surfaces. As you said, many hours of work.

Looking forward to it................I have never seen a project of yours from the start.

[crackerman]

Looks to be all there. Should clean up nicely. Good score.

[Nessism]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Been hanging out at kzrider.com to learn a little more about these bikes. Nice bunch of guys over there but that forum is very slow compared to this one. They don't have a Basscliff either! We are SO LUCKY in GS land!!!!

[winfield]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Been hanging out at kzrider.com to learn a little more about these bikes. Nice bunch of guys over there but that forum is very slow compared to this one. They don't have a Basscliff either! We are SO LUCKY in GS land!!!!

You are right! I don't spend nearly as much time there as I do here (different user name too).

If you ever see a link to an article called Brand Loyalty over there it is written by my cousin. He's talking about the Z1 I now have.

[tkent02]

Thanks for all the encouragement guys.

Been hanging out at kzrider.com to learn a little more about these bikes. Nice bunch of guys over there but that forum is very slow compared to this one. They don't have a Basscliff either! We are SO LUCKY in GS land!!!!

Absolutely! I use Cliff's page several times every day when I'm working on this stuff.

[salty_monk]

Woohoo when can I come ride it!

Let me know if you need any muscle / help parting motor from frame etc.

Plumbing & Kitchens stopping bike play over at my place!

[Nessism]

Woohoo when can I come ride it!

Let me know if you need any muscle / help parting motor from frame etc.

Plumbing & Kitchens stopping bike play over at my place!

Now you're making me feel bad Dan. My house needs more work then yours but I bought a new bike instead of fixing stuff like you.

Oh well...

Spent a couple hours tonight taking apart the back end. Excepting for some crappy alarm that was installed, the bike is pretty much unmolested. Bad news is it's corroded pretty badly. Carbs completely frozen, rear master dry and stuck, and heavens know what's next. Yup, I paid too much for this thing. Oh well again...

P1010241 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010243 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010245 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010249 by nessism, on Flickr

P1010188 by nessism, on Flickr

[tkent02]

Now you're making me feel bad Dan. My house needs more work then yours but I bought a new bike instead of fixing stuff like you.

That's how we roll, Ed.

[Nessism]

Ordered some Conti Go tires last night from American Motorcycle Tire. Compared price against Avon Roadrider's, Pirelli Sport Demon's, and Michelin Pilot Activ's, and the Conti's were the cheapest. Considered Shinko's but decided to spend the extra $. Also ordered a Motobatt battery. I've had good success with them in the past.

Not sure I should keep track of the costs for obvious reasons. It's not fun to cut costs too much, just look for a decent price before each purchase and move on.

[gmansyz]

Hi Ed
I am truly sorry for turning you to the bike. It did run when I left Cali but he didn't listen tome about taking care of it. I had no idea it was in such bad shape. When I left, the black engine paint was still glossy. And of course, he did not drain the gas either.
Sorry again.
Greg

[rustybronco]

Bead blast the carb bodies and paint the chrome tops black.

Bolt threaded in the banjo bolt hole with an alemite fitting (grease gun) over the bleeder screw should remove the piston/ and (or) a good used one off the bay.

Send the jugs and cam cover off to be vapor blasted.

For instance...http://www.arnoldsdesign.com/Vapor-Blasting.html

Most motorcycle engine case: $35 per case half
Finned Cylinder Head: $35 (Because of the immense amount of surface area detail in fins)

On a side note... I have an immense number of hours rebuilding the trailer I bought a few years for, as it appears now in hindsight, WAY too much money. Between the initial purchase price ($400) and what I have in it now ($381), I could have bought a new one. Maybe not quite as heavy duty as what I have now, but surviceable for most of my needs. Do I regret buying it? At times, yes. But that would be for all intents an purposes, water under the bridge. I rebuilt it for as little money as I could and I am pleased with the results. Plus for the most part, except for grinding the rust, I rather enjoyed doing it.

I think you will enjoy this new project of yours just as much. All the rest is 'under the bridge'.