Upgrading my 79 KZ1000 st

Serpent7 wrote: Ok, so as you know I installed all my parts accept the lowering blocks. The bike ran much better but still was not 100%. So before lowering it I wanted to get it running well. I'm pleased to report I found the problem... I pulled the old spark plugs and they where all black. Wichita means , I gapped the new plugs to 30. Started it up and it ran pretty well. I'd start a and stop it , and every time I dd it ran better. I guess everything was sealing up. Took it around the block and cracked into it! Front end actually came up!!! Dyna stuff is the best!!!

The guys at Dyna are great people if you have any problems they all ride and own or have owned vintage KZ's I have called them and they act haooy to help and they actually answer emails techinical or just opinions. great bunch of people


I am really curious on the fork blocks get busy I want to order some but not sure which ones to get i was thinking 2"but if the 3's look right I may go the same toute. I am 5'4 with short inseam so i need all the lowering I can get

ramtough_63 wrote:

Serpent7 wrote: Ok, so as you know I installed all my parts accept the lowering blocks. The bike ran much better but still was not 100%. So before lowering it I wanted to get it running well. I'm pleased to report I found the problem... I pulled the old spark plugs and they where all black. Wichita means , I gapped the new plugs to 30. Started it up and it ran pretty well. I'd start a and stop it , and every time I dd it ran better. I guess everything was sealing up. Took it around the block and cracked into it! Front end actually came up!!! Dyna stuff is the best!!!

The guys at Dyna are great people if you have any problems they all ride and own or have owned vintage KZ's I have called them and they act haooy to help and they actually answer emails techinical or just opinions. great bunch of people


I am really curious on the fork blocks get busy I want to order some but not sure which ones to get i was thinking 2"but if the 3's look right I may go the same toute. I am 5'4 with short inseam so i need all the lowering I can get

Gonna try and do that this weekend coming. I don't feel comfortable about taking my forks apart. So i kinda have to wait on my buddy for guidance to help me. This weekend however is looking real good...

OK. Got a lot on my plate this weekend coming however, I do own a motorcycle jack (not that it will work with my 4-into-1 exhaust) and lot's of tools. So I may at least get started on it myself. It really cant be all that hard to do, can it?

Sat. I'm going to work in the yard, and get started on spring. However, its going to be a little chilly on Sat. which means I can use the "cold" excuse and end it early. GARAGE TIME! Here I come! So this weekend, at least look for some tear down pics and maybe if its not to intense some lowering block install pics! Camera on stun!

Love my garage time lol. the jack will work go in from the left side just a bit of advice make sure you use a tie down strap when using a jack. My son inlaw learned the hard way. I showed him why the jack had the steel loops on it he went Huh It didnt even occur to me

ramtough_63 wrote: Love my garage time lol. the jack will work go in from the left side just a bit of advice make sure you use a tie down strap when using a jack. My son inlaw learned the hard way. I showed him why the jack had the steel loops on it he went Huh It didnt even occur to me

Haha! Thanks for the advise. Gonna do yardwork all day tomorrow. That means Sat. evening, and Sunday up until 4pm. are perfect times for me in the garage!!! Gonna take some before, how-too, and after pics!!! Stay tuned Sunday night...

ramtough... That is one bad a$$ KZ in your profile pic!

Serpent7 wrote: ramtough... That is one bad a$$ KZ in your profile pic!

Thanks for the kind words I was posting pics on my build thread and my girl took that one with her phone (best pic of em all lol

Watch your self when putting in the 3inch lowering blocks it is a real bitch to get the fork caps on it can be a little dangerous,there is a ton of spring pressure because you are adding spacers inside the fork and not cutting the springs. 3 inches is going to slam that bike down a good bit and your forks will be very stiff.

I like the look with lowering blocks but it will effect your riding style. You will get very good at dodging holes and bumps.

Great build. Roy

rslingshot wrote: Watch your self when putting in the 3inch lowering blocks it is a real bitch to get the fork caps on it can be a little dangerous,there is a ton of spring pressure because you are adding spacers inside the fork and not cutting the springs. 3 inches is going to slam that bike down a good bit and your forks will be very stiff.

So you have done this before??? If so, how difficult is the install? Is it just slide the forks out and put the spacers in? I've never taken forks apart or off, so any info you can provide will help. Is something going to shoot out when I take the caps off? What fork oil do I need if any? LMK.

Serpent7 wrote:

rslingshot wrote: Watch your self when putting in the 3inch lowering blocks it is a real bitch to get the fork caps on it can be a little dangerous,there is a ton of spring pressure because you are adding spacers inside the fork and not cutting the springs. 3 inches is going to slam that bike down a good bit and your forks will be very stiff.

So you have done this before??? If so, how difficult is the install? Is it just slide the forks out and put the spacers in? I've never taken forks apart or off, so any info you can provide will help. Is something going to shoot out when I take the caps off? What fork oil do I need if any? LMK.

Ya its been almost 20 years but I have done it. You need to take the forks out of the triple trees, take the top cap off and remove the spring drop in the blocks and put the springs back in and try like hell to compress the spring down to get the cap on.That is the just of it but you should have gotten a install sheet from schnitz when you ordered them, as far as oil I dont remember how much we used you wont need much because they are going to be stiff as hell anyway. 3 inch is a lot for lowering blocks you might want to have someone cut an inch off of them and just push the forks up through the trees for the extra inch.

my thoughts exactly. 1 3/4 block,trim the spring, slip the forks up the triples and you'll be good.