KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

1976 900 A4 is Next Up

  • Mikaw
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04 Dec 2016 15:31 #749462 by Mikaw
1976 900 A4 is Next Up was created by Mikaw
Thank you for all the help with the '78 1000 B2.

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Now that it is running and will hopefully be a very reliable daily rider it's time to start on the next one. A '76 900 A4

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I bought this bike about 25 years ago and trailerd it home and never touched it. I have a few concerns after looking it over. See pic below the rear tire is out of line in my opinion.

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I hope the frames not bent. I'm not sure how to check it so I already have the carbs off so I threaded in some bolts into the carb manifold and set a level acrossed the bolts and the engine is level

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Then placed the level acrossed the frame under the seat pan and it's not level

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Can someone please advise me maybe this is a parts bike and not a good choice to restore

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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05 Dec 2016 05:25 #749509 by TexasKZ
Replied by TexasKZ on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
I would not be ready to part it out yet. Your main problem might be a tweaked swing arm in conjunction with an imperfect frame. Frames from back in the day were rarely in perfect alignment, so a little additional "adjustment" can look like a bigger problem than it actually is. Even if the frame is significantly twisted or bent, it can be straightened. A member of this forum built his own jig to do just that. There are also frame straightening companies who can do the job.
If there is a serious kink in one or more frame tubes, then it may be too far gone, otherwise, you have an opportunity to learn some new skills. ;)

1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24
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05 Dec 2016 16:47 - 05 Dec 2016 16:49 #749574 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
I looked it over really well last night and I don't see any kinks, cracked paint or any sighs of damage to the frame or that it had been repaired.


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I looked at the steering stop pin and the lugs on the lower tree and no signs of damage.


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I only found one suspect weld, It appears to have been ground down. Its the only weld I could find on the bike that looks suspicious. Did the factory ever grind welds?

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Its obvious the bike has been down but the little damage shown in these photos doesn't seems like enough to bend a frame.

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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Last edit: 05 Dec 2016 16:49 by Mikaw.

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06 Dec 2016 09:22 #749655 by 531blackbanshee
Replied by 531blackbanshee on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
if it bounced off a curb could just be the swingarm is bent.
they have all the strength of a wet noodle ya know.

leon

skiatook,oklahoma 1980 z1r,1978 kz 1000 z1r x 3,
1976 kz 900 x 3
i make what i can,and save the rest!

billybiltit.blogspot.com/

www.kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/325862-triple-tree-custom-work

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/294594-frame-bracing?limitstart=0

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06 Dec 2016 10:17 #749661 by bluezbike
Replied by bluezbike on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
I don't think the factory ground welds down....that one looks very post factory and a bit suspicious.
Looking at the pic from the rear the wheel looks vertical enough so I would first look at whether the PO loaded the wheel back on with the spacers in the wrong place....or something amiss with the sprocket carrier.

79 KZ 1000 LTD
77 KZ 1000 B1 LTD (awaiting electrical resurrection)
The following user(s) said Thank You: 531blackbanshee

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06 Dec 2016 18:08 #749684 by spdygon
Replied by spdygon on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
Very nice...I have restore two of them already.

1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project

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  • Mikaw
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06 Dec 2016 19:50 #749704 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
Thanks for all the advice. Looked the frame over again see below photo of the opposite side of the "suspect" weld. It doesn't show any signs of repair. I must have a rear factory weld clean up.

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I'M moving forward with this restore. The '78 B2 was a mechanical update I'm thinking this one deserves a full restore. I really like the Harley Davidson color Amber Whiskey.. would that be wrong to paint a Kawasaki a HD color?

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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06 Dec 2016 20:12 #749706 by spdygon
Replied by spdygon on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
Original paint better for resale. Other then that you make it your own.

1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project

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  • Mikaw
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06 Dec 2016 20:18 #749708 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up

spdygon wrote: Original paint better for resale. Other then that you make it your own.


I understand but the diamond dark green nor the diamond brown appeal much to me.

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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  • Mikaw
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13 Dec 2016 08:51 #750114 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
Pulled the carbs apart and was happy to find them very clean. I was disappointed to notice the have throttle shaft seals that are cracked. How difficult is it for the slightly more than average shade tree mechanic to replace them. How much do bad ones effect performance and drivability. I have looked at Partzilla and the number of items that appear to be removed to replace these seal is pretty overwhelming. Any advise?

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1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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13 Dec 2016 17:29 #750134 by spdygon
Replied by spdygon on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up
Simple few screws and you can pull it out. It only comes out to one side don't remember which tho.
Have a manual ?
Here mine 76 kz900 restored about 6 month ago


1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project
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  • Mikaw
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13 Dec 2016 19:21 #750149 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic 1976 900 A4 is Next Up

spdygon wrote: Simple few screws and you can pull it out. It only comes out to one side don't remember which tho.
Have a manual ?
Here mine 76 kz900 restored about 6 month ago

That's a beautiful bike.
No I don't have a fsm for my A4. I do have one for my '78 B2 would it be the same

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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