1978 KZ1000-A2 "Barn find"

Im late on the post, but those lid lines are sweet! Outstanding addition to a beautiful bike.Get ready to explain its not a custom plate a lot, also very cool addition.
Be well

Mikaw post=845942Kool. Start heading towards Michigan. See ya on June 19th 

I think I'm going to have to pass on the 26 hours drive each way...

I have a similar issue.  One of my Z1B's is registered as a '74.  It was a Sept/74 build.  I didn't bother to correct things...too much hassle.

It hit 20 degrees here today (68 Bald Eagles?). 

Managed to get out for some fun shakedown rides. Had an issue with my rear brake locking up on me. I think I managed to solve the issue. I pulled the brake pads out and greased the pins. Put it back together and bled the brake a bit to be sure. Hoping it doesn't happen again. Tomorrow is supposed to be just as nice so a bunch of buddies are getting together at our newest empty parking lot with some pylons to play around with some low speed maneuvers. 

Other than the brake issue, no other issues showed themselves today. Still think my pilot screws aren't quite dialed in yet. To be honest, adjustment doesn't seem to really affect idle at all until about 1/4 turn out. 

It was 79 American degrees here in Michigan today. Rolled the bike out after work, a quick wipe down and fired it. A few short runs around the hood and all is good. 

You've done a great great job on that bike. So good to have another one back on the road.

Always a good idea to improve the slow speed abilities. I needed them this afternoon myself. I made a quick turn down a road I’ve never been on, it was a lane so I figured it went through, but it was an unidentified dead end. It should be labeled a court. Anyway it was real narrow pavement with heavy gravel straight ahead and on both side. Covered the rear brake, rpm about 1800, feathered the clutch into the friction zone and pulled off a full lock left hand 180 like a pro. 

Mikaw post=846299You've done a great great job on that bike. So good to have another one back on the road.

Thanks friend. Still lots of tinkering to do to get it real pretty. Needs new fenders eventually, and most of the fasteners will need to be replated. Should eventually take it down to the frame for repaint or powder coat. The rear fender is so pitted, it's not worth rechroming. For now I just gave it the 10' treatment with chrome spray paint. 

It's an everyday rider for now, so I'm happy. 

​​​​​​I'm pretty damn proud of this to be honest. I had never worked on anything with an engine before, and have never even owned my own bike. Did every single thing myself, from carburators and paint, to replacing the tires. 

 

You've done a great job and are right to be proud of your accomplishment! The bike looks terrific.

Well done, well done!  

Echo previous three comments!  You should be proud to ride that thang!!

I’ll double up here and say beyond the talent kaylinator has shown us in regards to his motorcycle, I also wanna state how important he has become as a contributor to this forum. With members like this we can feel safe this family will continue. Thank you. 

Kaylinator post=846301... It's an everyday rider for now, so I'm happy. 

​​​​​​I'm pretty damn proud of this to be honest. I had never worked on anything with an engine before, and have never even owned my own bike. Did every single thing myself, from carburators and paint, to replacing the tires. 

We're still getting caught up from our winter remodeling hiatus & just this morning got up to speed on your project.

You have every right to be proud of your results!  Saw it through the difficult bits, learned the bike inside & out, resurrected a fine old Z-bike that might have ended up being parted out or exported had the circumstances been different and, created a family heirloom of sorts, infused with immeasurable sentimental value.  Well done!

There's an affliction known only to enthusiasts of old Kawasaki Z-bikes; The Dreaded Z-Bug.  It manifests as a symbiotic relationship wherein the 'sufferer' is compelled by the mere presence of Z-bike(s) and the sometimes-not-so-subtle symptoms of the affliction to acquire & maintain "just one more" Z-bike, which only exacerbates the symptoms.  Most who are afflicted with The Dreaded Z-Bug self medicate by adding more & more Z-bikes.

There is no known cure.

Didn't Mama Kaw produce another color that year...?  Maybe an LTD variant...?    Kinda nice to have the set from that year...

Resistance Is Futile.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

Got out for some braaps tonight. Was coming down a hill into a school zone. Slowed down, downshifted, thought I hit neutral or something. Shifted up and down a couple times and couldn't find a gear that seemed happy. Kind of biggest to the red light and stalled about 4 feet from the stop line. Buddy comes over the intercom, "Holy jeez, your rear brake is nearly on fire! No wonder you thought it felt weird through there!" Stalled about 4 times trying to get off the line when the light changed to pull into the parking lot on the corner and crack the rear bleeder. Guess I didn't get that issue fixed. I'm now assuming that the relief port  in the MC is plugged. 

Anybody know how to clear that? Can I just pop out that bottom plate in the MC to see the ports to start stabbing at it?