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81 LTD 750 Projects

  • MikePotter86
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22 Apr 2008 21:54 #208356 by MikePotter86
81 LTD 750 Projects was created by MikePotter86
I have an all original 81 LTD 750 with 15k on it that I have been riding for a little over a year, putting about 5k on it. I have just gotten my bike into good (great) riding shape, but I cannot help but feel that I want more.

I've spent a great deal of time cleaning, polishing, rebuilding the brakes and suspension, but I can do little about the pipes blueing and am not sure what handlebars will be more comfortable without compromising the looks of the bike.

Although I am happy with the bike overall, the pipes are blued and I find the handlebar position to be too far upright for me. The paint is in good shape, I just ordered new Bridgestone tires, like the originals, with raised white letters for the retro look, will have them on in a week or so.

What changes have you seen success with? What kind of Handlebars?

Any luck with after-market exhausts?

I am also thinking of going to individual air filters rather than the air box.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Mike

Michael L. Potter
1981 KZ 750 LTD
South Lyon, MI/ Bloomington, IN

www.flickr.com/photos/potterm/
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22 Apr 2008 22:20 #208361 by EasyRider1
Replied by EasyRider1 on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
If you don't like the handlebar position then by all means, change them. Does it have the "pull back" bars? I didn't like those either that were on my 81 kz440 so I put on some late 70s kz400 bars. Much better.

As for the bluing of the pipes, I wouldn't worry about it. There is nothing you can do and it doesn't look bad to me anyways. I suppose you could do an exhaust wrap but I would leave them.

1978 KZ650C

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23 Apr 2008 05:30 - 04 Dec 2008 06:06 #208402 by JMKZHI
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  • MikePotter86
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23 Apr 2008 05:56 #208406 by MikePotter86
Replied by MikePotter86 on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
The pipes are not getting worse, they were blued from the bike running hot with the previous owner. Any Ideas on where I can find those kinds of bars? Do you have pictures of what your bike looks like with them?
Thanks

Michael L. Potter
1981 KZ 750 LTD
South Lyon, MI/ Bloomington, IN

www.flickr.com/photos/potterm/

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  • The Gringo
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23 Apr 2008 06:29 #208410 by The Gringo
Replied by The Gringo on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
Very nice example you have there Mike. Forget the pods, you have CV type carbs and they just don't play well with pods. For the blued pipes you might try using some Mothers mag polish on them. It probably won't get rid of all of it but it will lessen it.

Andy
Akron, Ohio
80 Z-1 Classic-Sold
84 GPZ1100
79 KZ 1000 LTD
78 KZ 1000 A2
77 KZ 1000 LTD-Sold
76 KZ 900 The definition of a barn find
76 KZ 900-Sold gone to Denmark
KZ 750 times 3, KZ 650 times 8 Sold 1 down to 7
KZ 550 times 2 80 440LTD-Sold
81 CSR 305-Sold 81 Yamaha XS650 Special

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23 Apr 2008 07:24 - 23 Apr 2008 07:25 #208423 by steell
Replied by steell on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
I install Superbike bars on all my bikes, screw appearance, they are the only bars that make the bike comfortable for me to ride. I'm 6'3" tall.

Lot's of different bars available at Z1 Enterprises.

www.z1enterprises.com/

Superbike bars.


KD9JUR
Last edit: 23 Apr 2008 07:25 by steell.

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23 Apr 2008 07:29 - 04 Dec 2008 06:05 #208427 by JMKZHI
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23 Apr 2008 07:59 #208442 by MikePotter86
Replied by MikePotter86 on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
The Flanders bars look like a nice compromise, I had considered ordering Superbike bars, but it seems I would need new mirrors for those bars, and I also worry that I would not be able to fit everything on these shorter bars.

Has anyone actually used Superbike bars on an LTD 750?
The master cylinder is so big, I worry it wouldn't work out right.

Thanks for the info and the picture, I love that color.

Michael L. Potter
1981 KZ 750 LTD
South Lyon, MI/ Bloomington, IN

www.flickr.com/photos/potterm/

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23 Apr 2008 09:48 - 04 Dec 2008 06:08 #208464 by JMKZHI
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23 Apr 2008 10:30 #208473 by steell
Replied by steell on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
I use stock mirrors, and have used stock master cylinders, although I currently have a 95 GPz1100 master cylinder on my 750 twin.

KD9JUR

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23 Apr 2008 13:48 - 23 Apr 2008 13:50 #208501 by cafekz750
Replied by cafekz750 on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
I have an '81 KZ750 LTD that I put superbike bars on. I rode the bike for about 10 years with those bars and the stock foots pegs. I enjoyed it very much and found it very comfortable. I put on 700 miles in a day a couple times (ouch), but could ride 300 miles a day easily. To fit superbike bars and keep the stock clutch cable and master cylinder, you have to be creative about routing them. I attached a picture I had from my project page that shows the set up I used. I also tried the "Euro" bar that has a bit more rise on the bike and there was more room to fit cables and such.

1981 KZ750H2 - V&H 4-1 pipe, pods, jetted, clubmans, homebrew rearsets, 18" rear wheel and more.
Parting out a 1982 KZ750H3 to fund future projects
2 other non-Kawasaki motorcycles
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Last edit: 23 Apr 2008 13:50 by cafekz750.

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  • MikePotter86
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23 Apr 2008 14:28 #208512 by MikePotter86
Replied by MikePotter86 on topic 81 LTD 750 Projects
I like the look of that, but I am not sure about the bar end mirrors. I think I am going to go ahead and buy something like the Euro bar, found a bar from an R100RS that I like, and I am going to see how I can make it work best, if I have to shorten/replace the lines, that is okay with me.

Michael L. Potter
1981 KZ 750 LTD
South Lyon, MI/ Bloomington, IN

www.flickr.com/photos/potterm/

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