KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

KZ1000P conversion.

More
23 Dec 2018 09:10 - 23 Dec 2018 15:39 #795571 by old_kaw
Replied by old_kaw on topic KZ1000P conversion.
Very nice Jimbo! I have one of those too! I thought it did come with mufflers, but I must have had it confused with pics from a different bike.



It is also hard to tell the technical abilities of the people that post. I was sure you had some extent of technical savvy just from the parts you were ordering, and the way you got that old scoot running so well. I used to "race" turbo cars too, if you could call it that. I never could cut a good RT, but my cars always ran awesome. I have an AOSEE degree and took 2 years of college auto mechanics after I was discharged from the military. (was a army mechanic too)

Rather than just saying that the bike needed mufflers, I took the time to explain it. Open exhaust also has the possibility of cold air warping a valve from what I was taught, but have never experienced it myself first hand.



You are doing a great job reviving this bike. lol

1981 Kawasaki Kz1000K1
Located in the Saint Louis, Missouri Area.
Attachments:
Last edit: 23 Dec 2018 15:39 by old_kaw. Reason: hmmmmm

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
23 Dec 2018 15:34 - 23 Dec 2018 15:38 #795584 by old_kaw
Replied by old_kaw on topic KZ1000P conversion.

Jimbo302 wrote: This bike had no mufflers, when I bought it


Isn't this your bike pic from the first post you made on this topic? Mufflers! :-) This is the pic I was thinking of. Page #1, post #1


1981 Kawasaki Kz1000K1
Located in the Saint Louis, Missouri Area.
Attachments:
Last edit: 23 Dec 2018 15:38 by old_kaw.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
23 Dec 2018 19:17 - 23 Dec 2018 20:32 #795592 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.
I was a mechanic for many years, as well, and have never seen the "open exhaust, damaged engine" wives tale, proven either.
Kudos, the military is a great place to learn a skill. I'm still in, and thats why I am in Guam, currently. This bike is just my cathartic side project.

The original pipes were gutted with no mufflers/silencers, as well rusted and open at the crossover.

My apologies for any offense you are taking. I am not interested in arguing on the internet.
Last edit: 23 Dec 2018 20:32 by Jimbo302.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
23 Dec 2018 20:15 - 23 Dec 2018 20:15 #795594 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic KZ1000P conversion.

Jimbo302 wrote: I was a mechanic for many years, as well, and have never seen the "open exhaust, damaged engine" wives tale, proven either.
........


It depends on one's definition of "open exhaust." Try running a bike with the entire exhaust system removed (I mean removed from the cylinder head) and you'll see what I mean. :laugh: :laugh: Ed

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Last edit: 23 Dec 2018 20:15 by 650ed.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
23 Dec 2018 20:34 - 23 Dec 2018 20:39 #795595 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.

650ed wrote:

Jimbo302 wrote: I was a mechanic for many years, as well, and have never seen the "open exhaust, damaged engine" wives tale, proven either.
........


It depends on one's definition of "open exhaust." Try running a bike with the entire exhaust system removed (I mean removed from the cylinder head) and you'll see what I mean. :laugh: :laugh: Ed


No doubt. If there was a way to prove that theory, that would be it. The closest I ever came to that was driving a car with open shorty headers. I actually had concerns about that one during the short distances it traveled.

Meanwhile, a friend of mine has been dailying a Sportster for some time, with less than a foot of header pipe on each cylinder, without issue.
Last edit: 23 Dec 2018 20:39 by Jimbo302.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
24 Dec 2018 01:23 - 24 Dec 2018 01:30 #795605 by old_kaw
Replied by old_kaw on topic KZ1000P conversion.

Jimbo302 wrote: I was a mechanic for many years, as well, and have never seen the "open exhaust, damaged engine" wives tale, proven either.
Kudos, the military is a great place to learn a skill. I'm still in, and thats why I am in Guam, currently. This bike is just my cathartic side project.

The original pipes were gutted with no mufflers/silencers, as well rusted and open at the crossover.

My apologies for any offense you are taking. I am not interested in arguing on the internet.


No offense is being taken here my friend. I was just unclear why anyone would run open pipes on a bike that had mufflers, then saying it had none when you bought it. I kinda figured they had to be rusted out, or you would have reinstalled them. Of course, you never know what "upgrades" people will come up with while "improving" these old bikes. I do try to help steer people away from doing things that will hurt performance, and make them unreliable.

Joining the military has to be one of the best decisions I made in my life. (followed by MANY bad decisions) I still use the VA for healthcare, since that train wreck of un-affordable heath care was put into effect. I didn't learn much technical stuff as far as skills in the Army, but after I ETS'd out, then went to college, was where I got the physics, math, etc.. the real tech classes.

I started my bike briefly when I had the exhaust off to spit out any water it ingested from pressure washing when I put on the Delkevic header, and I agree, that would definitely warp a valve. This is what my instructor was talking about. It sounded more like pop,, pop, pop. It did sound strange to say the least. Literally breathing fire. :woohoo:



I just hope Guam doesn't tip over while your'e there. Hank Johnson warned us about that a long time ago. LOL


1981 Kawasaki Kz1000K1
Located in the Saint Louis, Missouri Area.
Attachments:
Last edit: 24 Dec 2018 01:30 by old_kaw. Reason: proofreading is a good thing. :-)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
24 Dec 2018 06:15 #795614 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic KZ1000P conversion.

old_kaw wrote: ...............................
I started my bike briefly when I had the exhaust off to spit out any water it ingested from pressure washing when I put on the Delkevic header, and I agree, that would definitely warp a valve. This is what my instructor was talking about. It sounded more like pop,, pop, pop. It did sound strange to say the least. Literally breathing fire. :woohoo: ......................


That reminds me of when I was 15 years old. My 16 year old buddy owned a Honda CB160 which he had it in his parent's basement. He completely removed the exhaust system thinking this would make the bike sound like a big, bad motorcycle. Then he started it up. It made a very weird pop, pop, pop noise that sounded like bubbles. His mother ran the the basement door and angrily shouted down to him "Stop messing with my washing machine!" I though I would die laughing! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Ed

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • SWest
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • 10 22 2014
More
24 Dec 2018 17:03 #795636 by SWest
Replied by SWest on topic KZ1000P conversion.
Capsize,:lol: :lol: :lol: :woohoo: and we pay them bank.
Steve

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
25 Dec 2018 15:11 - 25 Dec 2018 15:12 #795669 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.

old_kaw wrote:
No offense is being taken here my friend. I was just unclear why anyone would run open pipes on a bike that had mufflers, then saying it had none when you bought it. I kinda figured they had to be rusted out, or you would have reinstalled them. Of course, you never know what "upgrades" people will come up with while "improving" these old bikes.

c


The head pipes were the only good part of the old exhaust system. I saved them for possible future use.
The bike did not idle or ride when I bought it.
So, installed the header pipes as a quick temporary exhaust while testing carbs, clutch, brakes, etc.
Last edit: 25 Dec 2018 15:12 by Jimbo302.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
30 Dec 2018 01:14 - 30 Dec 2018 01:14 #795902 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.
I pulled the clutch and it actually didn't look too bad.
I installed the new kit and reset the clutch rod. It does seem to grip a bit more.


Attachments:
Last edit: 30 Dec 2018 01:14 by Jimbo302.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
30 Dec 2018 01:25 - 30 Dec 2018 01:30 #795903 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.
I put the Delkavic exhaust on and it sounds nice. It is a bit louder than I was expecting , but still very reasonable.

I initially turned in the mix screws to 1 1/2 for a starting point.
After a quick ride I found a stutter in full throttle mid range and slower high rpm pull, even though it shot up to 80mph quicker than I need it to.
The low end and half throttle pulls provided "diesel truck" like torque, though.

I'm going to need to fine tune them to get full throttle pull and top end power right.

I tuned each individually while idling and found a nice solid idle. I didnt note each adjustment but they are all out further than two and a half turns.
We'll see what that feels like next time out.
Last edit: 30 Dec 2018 01:30 by Jimbo302.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
31 Dec 2018 15:27 #795985 by Jimbo302
Replied by Jimbo302 on topic KZ1000P conversion.
The pipes got "golden" in a hurry.

Attachments:

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum

If you like KZR Please consider making a donation. Thank you.

KZRider is free, but not without cost.

Please consider chipping in a few bucks to help cover the cost of running the KZR servers.