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Saving a '81 KZ750-E

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09 Mar 2020 15:52 #820629 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I've been gone for a little while. Trip to Canada, working on a neighbor's tractor, and life in general pulling me away from the bike project. Finally have some free time, and look what shows up.




Now I need to design a clean mounting method. This is a GPS driven speedo that is meant to be mounted in a hole in a dash panel. Since I won't be running a nose fairing it will need to look clean when installed.

I am still working on the finish of the rear peg mounts. I got my braided brake line for the rear, just need to complete the painting before bolting it all together. The seat pan still needs more welding before the upholstery shop takes over. All of the plastic bodywork is at the body shop. I need to get off my butt and clean out the fuel tank so he can get everything primered for the finish paint. Then there is the motor...

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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10 Mar 2020 18:12 #820714 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
It'll buff out...


Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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  • Scirocco
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  • Never change a running system
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10 Mar 2020 18:41 - 10 Mar 2020 18:41 #820718 by Scirocco
Replied by Scirocco on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Holy moly, hope you get not any pin holes after de-rust with phosporic acid chemicals.
Last edit: 10 Mar 2020 18:41 by Scirocco.

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10 Mar 2020 18:44 #820719 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Fingers are crossed!

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)

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11 Mar 2020 14:30 #820759 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configuration

DoctoRot wrote: rebuilding those switches might be a test of insanity. they look pretty shot. if if you pretty l them up i think the terminals and contact points will be still problematic with that much corrosion. You can get some reproduction KZ900 switches that work well, and have a very similar look. I run them on both my KZ's. only downside is the kill switch is orientated right which is easy to accidentally hit with your hand. I solved that problem with quick turn throttle sleeves.


I went ahead and bit the bullet on these handlebar switches. A little rewiring and they should work fine. They look just as advertised.

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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11 Mar 2020 15:40 #820765 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I finished installing the rear brakes. Now both front and back brakes are ready for fluid and bleeding. The spacers worked out good mating the newer MC to the stock bracket.


Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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13 Mar 2020 13:56 - 13 Mar 2020 13:57 #820854 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I ended up having to add a strip of steel sheet to the front of the seat pan to repair rusted through metal. I wish I learned how to TIG weld! Using a MIG welder for thin sheet is difficult at best, so don't critique too harshly. Some painting and clean up and it will ready for the upholstery.

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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Last edit: 13 Mar 2020 13:57 by Skidmark.

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13 Mar 2020 14:22 #820856 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Not the prettiest of seat pans, but there is a very limited selection out there.


Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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14 Mar 2020 12:57 #820904 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
After draining the 28 yo gasoline and letting the tank dry inside, I threw in a handfull of nuts and got to shaking. Wow. I didn't expect this much to come out...

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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14 Mar 2020 13:21 #820907 by calum
Replied by calum on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
Back end looks good!
But man, that tank was really in need of some TLC. Hope there's no holes...

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14 Mar 2020 13:30 #820910 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I have been using this stuff with amazing results. The plan is to fill the tank with it (mostly) and let it soak for several days inverted.

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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14 Mar 2020 14:09 #820914 by Skidmark
Replied by Skidmark on topic Saving a '81 KZ750-E
I love the fact that the shape of the tank works great with a 5 gal bucket! My sophisticated leak containment system. The old petcock o-ring is seeping a little. The gas cap leaks a lot, so I will pick up an expanding rubber plug for when it gets flipped over for the other half. I put about 3 gallons in it, so it will be above the soak line. This tank is about 4.5 gal capacity.

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
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