Saving a '81 KZ750-E

Start a free rumble channel. 
Steve

Skidmark wrote:

If you end up stranded,  make sure it's somewhere nice...

 

Stranded?  What happened?

I was running down the highway doing about 50 mph, and all electrical shut down.  Pulled in the clutch, and coasted to a stop.  All fuses are good, nothing hot or melted.  My first guess is an ignition switch failure, but I have to start tracing it out with a volt meter.  Brand new battery, fully charged.  It reads 12.85 volts.  The headlight will come out tomorrow so I can start checking bullet connectors.

She sure is running sweet, when she runs...  The more I ride it the better that Delkovic sounds.  The motor pulls really nice, but I have been keeping it under 5-6000 rpm until I get more break in time on her.

Visually, all the fuses appeared fine.  With an ohm meter, however, the main fuse is bad.  No signs of burning in the glass.  My guess is it failed from age.  Hopefully it only needs replacing, but I plan on picking up several to have spares on hand.  Could be an age related failure, but it may have been due to a short.  

Good luck with the fuse business!

Are you still planning to sell the bike?  Hope you say NO, but I know how it goes for project guys.  Always gotta have something new in the shop...

I do have something new (old) in the shop, and being retired, the wife wants me to turn over projects to fund the next.  The whole fixed income thing...  This has led to a significant emotional dilemma. Riding this bike has been the second time I have been on a street bike in almost 30 years.  This bike handles much better than expected and is a joy to ride.  I will enjoy this summer getting her broken in.  So many beautiful roads up here.  But the new project is also an emotional one.  Building another version of the first vehicle I ever owned as a nineteen year old.  This time I get to do it the way I only dreamed of back then.  I think around $15k is a good starting point.  I know that is by far more than I would ever get out of this bike, but it should put a dent in that figure.  How big of a dent?  Who knows.  But the more I ride it, the more I want to keep it!  

I missed a few posts here, but great to see you got this thing running! I am also feeling the pressure to sell one of my projects... I keep putting off the final decision but I definitely understand giving this up for the sort of project you're starting next.
I'd love to see a video - I could upload it to my youtube channel if you want (it's a private channel and the few videos on it are only visible with a direct link).

Maybe I need to move my video into Youtube, then try to post it.  I only have one with the bike started and a couple revs.  Once my new fuses come in, I will get my wife to video me while I ride it.

Let's see if this works... 

youtube.com/shorts/ZNCufRngg94?feature=share

Well at least I got a usable link posted for you guys.  

For the curious, here is a shot of my next project (a long term one).  The first pic is a 19 yo me posing with my first vehicle - a '52 Studebaker pickup.  Fast forward to present, and I have another '52 Studebaker pickup (2nd pic)!  It is a body only, sitting on an unknown 3/4 ton 4wd chassis with a SBC.  Frame is butchered, motor is toast.  So the plan is to body swap this onto a '94 Dodge Dakota 2wd chassis, lower it, and go with a LS swap.  The goal is to have just north of 400 hp, with a pro street vibe.  Four link rear suspension.  I like the patina on it, so a satin clear coat is the only paint planned.

 

Nice project! Cars are too much work for me... All the more respect for you guys that put the effort in.
You need to click share on the video in YouTube Studio and it should give you a link. You can only see the video above when logged in with your account. A bit of a PITA but using a 3rd party platform like YouTube is the only way I have managed to share videos.

Too much work?!  This is what is left of a complete '94 Dodge Dakota...