Trying to Rescue a Late 1970s (1977??) Kawasaki KZ1000

A strobe check would be good to check the advancer is working correctly and giving "full advance"

Wookie58 wrote:

A strobe check would be good to check the advancer is working correctly and giving "full advance"


Yes, good point, there's another tick mark for full advance.  The advance mechanism is nice and smooth to the "hand", but let's see if advances at the expected rate.  Maybe full advance at 2500 to 3000 rpm.

Bought my strobe from Sears in 1977 for my points fired Honda Civic.  My next car was an '86 Camry and the strobe was obsolete.
 

This is the chain on the KZ1000 when I acquired her.  Nice thick plates, O-ring, loose joints, a firmly riveted master link, but dirty with some minor superficial rust.

I see the 50 XSO etched on one of the outer plates, and figure it's an RK chain which should be OK to use.

However, it looks like it is losing its O-rings, and I tossed it.  The O-ring pictured is brittle.

Do you guys have recommendations for chains.  Preferably good and strong, O-ring, and revited master.  

Thanks guys..............

I think I'll order this chain tonight.  Should be OK, no power shifts into second gear are planned!

Probably has a clip master link, but it looks like a sturdy design.

Price is OK on Canadian dollars, AKA the /northern Peso.

 

Butchery and shear madness from teenagers.  I cut my teeth on British sports cars from the 1960s, and not one improved in my young hands!!

The 77KZ1000 did have a good rear fender and tail light, but the previous owner need it for another project, so I'm left with the "bobbed" beauty.

I had a used fender and tail light lined up in Toronto, 600 km round trip, but the seller vanished.

I'll look for a "For Sale" section in KZRiders

z1parts.net/z1-900-kz900-kz1000-rear-fender-35022-072/

www.diablocycle.com/Kawasaki-Z1-KZ900-an...r-Fender-Chrome.html

SWest wrote:

z1parts.net/z1-900-kz900-kz1000-rear-fender-35022-072/

www.diablocycle.com/Kawasaki-Z1-KZ900-an...r-Fender-Chrome.html


Thanks SWest........interesting price differential..........both in US$
 

I bought a nice used Z1 (or maybe KZ900) rear fender on eebay last spring, $40US plus about $10 for shipping.  They come up pretty regularly, some nicer than others for reasonable money.  Seen a few tail light brackets too, but not too often.

Scotty

Z1 parts has a lifetime guarantee  and they have a clearance item    z1parts.net/z1-900-kz900-kz1000-rear-fender-clearance/

z1parts.net/kawasaki-1/

Thanks guys, nice find on Z1 Parts.  I'll do an alert on eBay.

Meanwhile, I expect everyone is watching Allen Millyard

A few more items add to the old Zed.........meters and ignition switch, etc............and the headlight shell and front turn signals.

This means the electrical spaghetti is starting to accumulate, which frightens me with futre work and confusion.

In Winter my attached garage can dip below freezing, but I think the meters can handle the cold without going wonky.  


 

You might want to lose the Honda turn signals.