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rare Z750/MKII resurrection

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01 Nov 2015 14:54 - 01 Nov 2015 14:57 #696785 by mjg15
rare Z750/MKII resurrection was created by mjg15

I found this on Craigslist (3/4 of the way across the US) listed as a Z750, which allowed it to slip through the cracks in the Z exporter searches. It's a 1980 Z750fx, which is basically a 750 version of what we got in the US as the '79-80 KZ1000mkII. It's mechanically unrelated to our KZ750, and is a debored/destroked 1015 based motor.

It's been sitting an unknown number of years and will need all of the typical resurrection work, after which I may paint it back the original color/stripe scheme, which was the same navy color as the US MKII

Overall, it's in great shape, almost no corrosion, hacked parts, or crash damage. I'm going to see if I can replace the tube=type wheels with something similar (same year if US has tubeless in otherwise identical wheels) or a year or two newer. I may also replace the bars with something just a bit lower, but of the same type.

'80 Z750fx
'81 KZ550A
'81 GPz550's, Too many!
'82 KZ1000R
'82 GPz750
'90 ZR550


Project photo album: s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...GPz-ZR550%20project/
s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...current=DSC01286.jpg
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Last edit: 01 Nov 2015 14:57 by mjg15.

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01 Nov 2015 15:35 #696790 by floivanus
Replied by floivanus on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
That's a killer find, definately vote for keeping it stock.

I'm sure a set of 1000 wheels would fit (is that a 18" rear?)

my bikes; 80kz1000(project), 77 gl1000, 74 h2 (project)
Past; 78 kz1000, 83 kz550
Andrew

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01 Nov 2015 16:06 #696793 by pete greek1
Replied by pete greek1 on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
1st one I've ever heard of, or seen a pic. of, just a Mini Me, MKII, ..that is just toooo, cool, LUV IT,
Pete

1980 LTD 1000..,1976 LTD 900, have the 1000&900 now. the rest are previous= 1978 KZ 650 B.., 1980 Yamaha XT 500..,1978 Yamaha DT 400.., 1977 Yamaha yz 80..,Honda trail ct 70.., Honda QA 50...5-1/2 hp brigs & straton CAT chopper mini bike...3-1/2 hp mini bike (WHEN GAS WAS ABOUT 45 CENTS A GALLON)!!!!

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01 Nov 2015 16:28 - 01 Nov 2015 16:30 #696798 by floivanus
Replied by floivanus on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
Around page 67 or so of the dragbike/streetbike thread there's a pic or two of a z750 like this one from japan posted by leon I believe.

Edit: it is page 67 BUT trianglelaguna posted it

my bikes; 80kz1000(project), 77 gl1000, 74 h2 (project)
Past; 78 kz1000, 83 kz550
Andrew
Last edit: 01 Nov 2015 16:30 by floivanus.
The following user(s) said Thank You: pete greek1

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01 Nov 2015 16:28 #696799 by mjg15
Replied by mjg15 on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection

floivanus wrote: That's a killer find, definately vote for keeping it stock.

I'm sure a set of 1000 wheels would fit (is that a 18" rear?)


Yes, rear is 18" I have an 18" front from a Z1R that I've considered fitting, it is a direct bolt-on, and is of the same type

'80 Z750fx
'81 KZ550A
'81 GPz550's, Too many!
'82 KZ1000R
'82 GPz750
'90 ZR550


Project photo album: s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...GPz-ZR550%20project/
s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...current=DSC01286.jpg

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01 Nov 2015 17:03 #696811 by JR
Replied by JR on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
That bike is way cool.
definitely a killer find

1980 kz750E1, Delkevic exhaust

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  • SWest
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  • 10 22 2014
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01 Nov 2015 18:13 #696818 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
I'll bet 1015 barrels and Wiseco pistons will bolt right on. :woohoo:
Steve

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  • DoctoRot
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  • Oh, the usual... I bowl, I drive around...
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02 Nov 2015 12:07 - 02 Nov 2015 12:07 #696909 by DoctoRot
Replied by DoctoRot on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
floivanus is right, this bike was originally sold in Japan. Kawasaki made smaller displacement versions of their bikes for their domestic market because of the 750cc national cap.
Last edit: 02 Nov 2015 12:07 by DoctoRot.

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  • SWest
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  • Sustaining Member
  • 10 22 2014
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02 Nov 2015 12:16 #696910 by SWest

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31 Aug 2016 22:14 - 31 Aug 2016 22:19 #740739 by mjg15
Replied by mjg15 on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
Progress has been slow, but I'm still working on it when I have some time. I've made some subtle changes. I've added superbike bars and short cables, a pair of Konis, and an 18" Z1R front wheel. I've also removed the oil cooler a,d resprayed the tail a different blue. The paint wasn't original, and was non=metallic, so I'm trying to get closer to stock. I did the tail as a quick test to see if I like the color (same as I used to match my '07 GSXR race bike). Still need to rebuild the brake system and add a 530 chain.







'80 Z750fx
'81 KZ550A
'81 GPz550's, Too many!
'82 KZ1000R
'82 GPz750
'90 ZR550


Project photo album: s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...GPz-ZR550%20project/
s163.photobucket.com/albums/t289/mg15_ph...current=DSC01286.jpg
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Last edit: 31 Aug 2016 22:19 by mjg15.

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01 Sep 2016 02:09 #740751 by 750 R1
Replied by 750 R1 on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
What an awesome find and a good looking bike....well done...!!

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01 Sep 2016 09:56 #740781 by Mcdroid
Replied by Mcdroid on topic rare Z750/MKII resurrection
Bike looks good...I have always liked the MKII style and the FX is really a rare version...I have a slightly earlier Z2 so I get just how rare these motorcycles are.

Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

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