1978 KZ1000 A, Mild Mods

porchev914 wrote: That is a sweet pipe for sure :woohoo:

Thanks. It will be a pain when I go to change the oil and I'm going to miss my center stand, but I couldn't resist one of the old racing pipes. It collects right in the middle under the bike for max cornering clearance. I used to have a black one like this but they are really hard to find anymore. I kind of hate to use it...what if it turns blue! :ohmy:

Great looking Bike.

"Kerker Kicks Ass"

County Fair wrote: Great looking Bike.

"Kerker Kicks Ass"

Yes Sir!

The bike looks awesome.

Very nice primo bike !!!

That is a really nice looking kerker. I am a sucker for kerkers. I believe it is the later production pipe tho. It has the diffrent kerker badges. If you was worried about it turning blue. I was told you could get the inside cermacoated. That will help stop any bluing. Also just dont run the bike lean and that will help keep it looking great. Iam also in love with that corbin gunfighter with lady seat and i would have to get the back rest for the little lady. Ive looked at them, but theyre kinda expensive and i heard the seats arent that comfortable on long rides. How do you like yours? Do you think it feels comfortable?It looks really nice on your bike. But ya kerker kicks ass!!!

This is actually a really old NOS Kerker. The bend goes directly under the oil filter...they haven't make them like that in years. All of the pipes now are the "street" version that bend around the oil filter and allow retention of the center stand. The "new" style of badge is actually a very old style that was recently brought back. The new badges have red in them though...

Here's a brand new one I bought last year:



And here's a photo of the old badge, even has "racing system" on it. I think they were called Kerker KR systems. Can't remember for sure but you used to have your choice...race only or street version.

This GFL seat is the most comfortable seat I've ever had on any bike. I put almost 1500 miles on it in about 4 days last summer and it was great! The backrest is great for my kids too and it pops right out with one bolt.

I actually bought this seat used so I didn't pay that much for it. I think I bought it from a member here IIRC. I found the backrest on eBay. They sure are really pricey new though...I think around $400 or so? The backrest is like another $150. :pinch:

Haven't posted in quite a while...haven't had much time to work on the bike, but I'm getting close to mounting the GS swingarm. I decided to polish it and have replaced the shock bushings, bearings, spacers and even the end caps. Should be like new.

I tried to mount it in the fame tonight and I was surprised to see that I'm going to need 10mm to 11mm of spacers on the pivot axle. I thought it was much less from what I had read but that isn't the case with mine. I'm also disappointed to see that I'm going to need to modify my rear brake pedal and my inner fender. I though this was an easy bolt-on mod....guess nothing ever is, really.
Before pic of swingarm:

After pic:

Headlight Shell painted and ready, had to buy a replacement since it had the fairing on it:

Took apart the GS shocks, replaced the rubber bumper that had fallen apart and repainted / cleaned:

Another shot of the shocks in process:


Also painted the chain guard and the brake arm:


Rebuilt and painted the rear caliper:

New bearings:


More shock pics: The have adjustable dampening...should be OK for street riding:

A little out of order, but here are some pics of the rear hub, rear wheel, spacers, etc...before the swingarm was polished. New bearings in the rear hub too: