78 KZ650 Mono Rear Shock Cafe/Brat Style

Gordy, how is your pony's progress?

RickKZ wrote: Gordy, how is your pony's progress?

Not much, I've got it booked into a specialist to take a look at the carbs to try to get it happier. That's happening on tuesday next week so hopefully it will be sorted for a nice week of riding next week.

Nice! Almost there lol....

Gordy, I know it's not cheap but you can put a Motogadget M-lock in without buying anything else.
motogadget.com/en/electrics/rfid-ignitio...fid-zundschloss.html

For what it is worth I had relocated my key before I started the Retro-Mod build. I was running pods so I put a piece of aluminum where the airbox opening was in the frame. That's where I put my key. It never fell out. All I ever had was the ignition key with a cloth Kawasaki key ring. I was always told that a heavy keyring is hard on ignition tumblers.

This is a pic of the plate installed prior to moving the ignition.

kaw-a-holic wrote: Gordy, I know it's not cheap but you can put a Motogadget M-lock in without buying anything else.
motogadget.com/en/electrics/rfid-ignitio...fid-zundschloss.html

For what it is worth I had relocated my key before I started the Retro-Mod build. I was running pods so I put a piece of aluminum where the airbox opening was in the frame. That's where I put my key. It never fell out. All I ever had was the ignition key with a cloth Kawasaki key ring. I was always told that a heavy keyring is hard on ignition tumblers.

This is a pic of the plate installed prior to moving the ignition.

Yeah, i knew the m-lock is available on it's own, but it's hard to justify the cost when my quick move works. When the bikes been on the road a while I will maybe re-look into it. I don't intend to have anything other than the bike key on the ignition so that should lessen the load.

Well I've dropped the bike off at Tim Blakemore racing www.timblakemoreracing.co.uk/ for them to look at it. The ride there was fun if worrying. As I was concerned at every noise and couldn't relax. Their shop was heaven as it was full of old z's waiting to be restored. I had to force myself to leave!

So I promised an update. Well Tim worked his magic on the carbs and timing. He got it so the bike stopped surging at mid revs and re-jetted so that the power was actually smooth line as the revs increased. Test riding it round the lanes and it was transformed into an amazing ride.

However as with this whole project my luck sucks, I rode in the center of town feeling very happy however on my trip the bike completely cut out with no warning. I managed to get it restarted, but the same thing happened three more times in less than a mile. I managed to get to my destination, but I was pissed off. Interestingly when I started the bike to go home it worked fine all the way home.

Once home I checked things through and with discussions with Tim, I think there is a dodgy connection to the coils. I will be checking the wiring through and changing old dodgy connectors.

I took a couple of pics of the shop
My bike hiding amongst many others. So many spares in this corner.


Some drag bikes

Another job I did before the trip to Tim's was to sort two things on the rear of the bike.

1. A slow puncture
2. Replace the rear disc.

I managed to do both of these at the same time.



Old disc


New Disc


New disc and wheel back on


Now I'm back from holiday I can attack the wiring. I saw a camo Z650 when I was in the Lake District too.

Nice shop, and new rotor.

Thanks for sharing.

Nearly there then Gordy, Should be sorted for the winter,eh ! Good luck .

davido wrote: Nearly there then Gordy, Should be sorted for the winter,eh ! Good luck .

At the present rate it will be next bloomin winter! :laugh:

You have done some rather amazing and great work. Be proud of your efforts and your family. As with anything else, patience is vital to finding answers. Keep up your good work and be safe.

Looking good Gordy!

Hang in there...I share your pain hahahhaha. Still lots to do but also getting there slowly!

Rick