KZ700 make-over

The carbs have been cleaned and I've put them back on the bike. New spark plugs and battery and after two attempts, the bike started and runs smoothly! I did not expect this so I'm a happy man today

Day 3 of the build: disassembly time.
The entire front has been stripped already. I hope to find some time this weekend to do the back as well. Next step will be to get the engine out and start with the frame. I'm going for a classic cafe racer look, so I will be keeping the side panels and stock air filter. So far so good.

What's a build thread without pictures... So here are some pics of the progress so far:

Untitled by Jan Moons , on Flickr

Untitled by Jan Moons , on Flickr

I expected the exhaust bolts to be rusty, but it looks quit ok to me. I'll be trying to remove the exhaust this weekend as well. On the past two projects the bolts have broken of, so I'm soaking them with WD40 before the first attempt to loosen the bolts. Excited!

Untitled by Jan Moons , on Flickr

Back to the shed, see you later guys!

I expected the exhaust bolts to be rusty, but it looks quit ok to me. I'll be trying to remove the exhaust this weekend as well. On the past two projects the bolts have broken of, so I'm soaking them with WD40 before the first attempt to loosen the bolts.

Regular wd40 isn't a very good penetrant --- it was the worst product in a test that's been floating around the internet. If you mean the new wd40 penetrant, then that may work fine.

Kroil is supposed to be best. Liquid wrench penetrating spray lubricant is also good (pb blaster didn't do as well in that test).
An ATF + acetone solution could be used if the other products aren't available. mix 50/50 in a small container & shake/stir often.

Are you going to replace your top triple clamp? If you are i'd be interested in it. If you are going to replace the instrument cluster If MPH I'd also be interested.

I'm not planning to replace the top clamp. I mind grind down the mounts for the handlebars as I'm going for clip-ons. I'll post some pictures when I tackle that.

I have another question. This bike will be my wife's bike and she would love to have a classic Ducati type fairing on it. I've never done that before, so I'm a bit in the dark on how to mount this and how to move the headlight forward. I thin it will look cool though.

biker for life wrote: I'm not planning to replace the top clamp. I mind grind down the mounts for the handlebars as I'm going for clip-ons. I'll post some pictures when I tackle that.

I have another question. This bike will be my wife's bike and she would love to have a classic Ducati type fairing on it. I've never done that before, so I'm a bit in the dark on how to mount this and how to move the headlight forward. I thin it will look cool though.

Please don't grind that triple clamp. If you want to go that route use the clamp from a GPz750 (Z750R1) or a Z750GT (Z750P), they had clip-ons of a sort and would be perfectly suited for regular clip-ons. Aftermarket billets can be had as well. I'm wanting to go the other way with my GPz hence the offer. Does it still have Mph speedo? if it does , does it go to 85 or 160?

Good info on the clamps. I haven't grinded them down yet, so they are still good. I checked the speedo but it's in Kph and not Mph.

Update: I found a second hand top clamp from the gpz750 for only 25eur.

So are you interested in getting rid of the top clamp? I found one also in Germany asking €50 obo plus €17 shipping.

GPzMOD750 wrote: So are you interested in getting rid of the top clamp? I found one also in Germany asking €50 obo plus €17 shipping.

I've paid 35 eur for the GPZ clamp, so if it fits I'm ok with 35 eur plus shipping costs. I'll keep you informed.

biker for life wrote: I've paid 35 eur for the GPZ clamp, so if it fits I'm ok with 35 eur plus shipping costs. I'll keep you informed.

Sounds good! I've sent you a PM.

Looks like I'm in need of something else. Sent you another PM.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread. .

Last week I removed the engine from the frame. It looked ok and not too much oxidation. A lot of junk and dirt, but almost no oil. So this is looking really good. I cleaned the engine with a degreaser and an engine cleaner, wiped it down and let it dry overnight. Yesterday
I had some time to polish the side covers and respray the engine to a nice shiny black. Still some polishing to go on the sprocket cover and the engine is looking brand new again. Sorry for the bad pics, but my phone isn't the best to take pictures in bad lighting...

20151123_205030 by Jan Moons , on Flickr

20151123_205040 by Jan Moons , on Flickr

20151123_205047 by Jan Moons , on Flickr

20151127_215915 by Jan Moons , on Flickr

20151127_215922 by Jan Moons , on Flickr


Next step: Clean, sand, Modify, primer and paint the frame.

20151123_204950 by Jan Moons , on Flickr

What paint did you use on the engine? and what do you plan to use on the frame??