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ZN1300 Going on a Diet!

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29 Aug 2019 21:21 #810078 by desertrefugee
ZN1300 Going on a Diet! was created by desertrefugee
...as soon as the temperatures in Phoenix drop consistently below 100F, that is!

Hey gents. Longtime rider (spell that baby boomer). British, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha. My most recent Kawasaki was my 2nd ZL900 Eliminator on which I was rear-ended in 2012. I survived intact. The motorcycle did not. My first was brand new in '85. Anyway, I've made the rounds of Japanese machines - nothing newer than my current '97 Valkyrie. The Valk is kept company by a very custom '78 GL1000 (yeah Goldwing) and a '79 CBX. That was the garage crowd until this past Sunday - which is why I'm here.

I could not pass this machine up at the price. And I have a thing for six cylinder bikes. It's the howl, I think. So, I drug home a mammothly heavy '83 ZN1300 Voyager that has been reasonably well kept. It runs very well and that's all I was really after. That big lump. Well, and the frame.

I've done lots of restorations and customizations, but I'll need a few bits of sage wisdom from the folks who know the KZ line. My biggest questions are going to revolve around bits from the KZ line that might <might> be usable after this big Voyager loses about 200 pounds.

My plan is simple. Lose everything (and I mean everything) that doesn't either make the machine go, or make it stop. Then, put just enough bits back on to make it look like a complete motorcycle again. Oh, and pray it still lights up and runs.

First question (and I won't be a pest): Will a tail section from any of the KZs fit the ZN frame? I'm wondering specifically about width. I'm thinking similar to the KZ1300, but not 1300. I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I'll post a few pics if anyone is interested.

Anyway, that's my story. I'll be poking around. Nice little Kawi house you have here. Lots of good stuff - and good people.

‘97 Valkyrie
‘83 Voyager
‘79 CBX
‘78 Goldwing
‘78 CB750F
‘74 CB750K
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29 Aug 2019 21:30 #810080 by desertrefugee
Replied by desertrefugee on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
Ok. One pic. Two old straight six machines...

‘97 Valkyrie
‘83 Voyager
‘79 CBX
‘78 Goldwing
‘78 CB750F
‘74 CB750K
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  • KZQ
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  • Walking Behind the Corn May Not Be All That!
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30 Aug 2019 20:13 - 30 Aug 2019 20:17 #810126 by KZQ
Replied by KZQ on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!

desertrefugee wrote: ...My plan is simple. Lose everything (and I mean everything) that doesn't either make the machine go, or make it stop. Then, put just enough bits back on to make it look like a complete motorcycle again. Oh, and pray it still lights up and runs.
Anyway, that's my story. I'll be poking around. Nice little Kawi house you have here. Lots of good stuff - and good people.


I've got an '85 ZN1300 in much the same state. I found that, at least, the diagnostic stuff for the fuel injection system is in the fairing. I chose to keep the fairing, at least most of it, for now.

Bill

www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
Last edit: 30 Aug 2019 20:17 by KZQ.
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30 Aug 2019 20:46 #810127 by urankjj
Replied by urankjj on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
Awesome double triple. !!!

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31 Aug 2019 12:15 #810152 by desertrefugee
Replied by desertrefugee on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
Thanks guys.

Bill! I would love to hear a comment or two about your radiator placement and plumbing to it. Very nice work on that.

Now THAT is a Voyager.

‘97 Valkyrie
‘83 Voyager
‘79 CBX
‘78 Goldwing
‘78 CB750F
‘74 CB750K

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01 Sep 2019 08:41 #810183 by old_kaw
Replied by old_kaw on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
Interesting project! I have seen these on CL for sale (cheap) in the past, but they are so loaded up with baggage that I am not interested. I also like the 6 poppers like the CBX and Kz1300 (rare bikes)
Keep us posted please with LOTS of pics. :-)

1981 Kawasaki Kz1000K1
Located in the Saint Louis, Missouri Area.

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01 Sep 2019 11:00 - 01 Sep 2019 11:01 #810189 by desertrefugee
Replied by desertrefugee on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
Well, keep in mind that it's still hot as heck in Phoenix, but I did get out and peel a few things off this morning. Probably a good 50 pounds lighter already. Trailer hitch alone probably weighed 30 pounds!

I'm in no hurry, but I have turned the first wrench. The rest is downhill, right?


‘97 Valkyrie
‘83 Voyager
‘79 CBX
‘78 Goldwing
‘78 CB750F
‘74 CB750K
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Last edit: 01 Sep 2019 11:01 by desertrefugee.

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01 Sep 2019 11:10 - 01 Sep 2019 11:11 #810190 by desertrefugee
Replied by desertrefugee on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!

urankjj wrote: Awesome double triple. !!!


Actually, triple triple! (and and old Goldwing...) :whistle:


‘97 Valkyrie
‘83 Voyager
‘79 CBX
‘78 Goldwing
‘78 CB750F
‘74 CB750K
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Last edit: 01 Sep 2019 11:11 by desertrefugee.

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02 Sep 2019 01:44 #810209 by Kidkawie
Replied by Kidkawie on topic ZN1300 Going on a Diet!
To narrow the frame, why not remove a section of the "cross members", clamp and weld. Same could be done with the seat if it has a steel pan, but youd need a custom seat cover.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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