'83 750 LTD Shaft

I thought this would be a cheap fixer upper, but now it doesn't look like that.

What I have found so far is the rear frame loop is bent. This is evident with the eye, the right side is higher than the left, and it looks skewed a small amount to the right. I measured the distance between shock mounts and have 3/16" more on the right. Also when a level is placed on the fender mount cross piece it shows the right side high. As further evidence of a crash, the left shock has a serious bend in it.

I'm not sure which way to go with this. Straighten a frame or part it out....Part of me wants to think the only "problem" would be a seat and fender that don't line up with the rear wheel, and that I can run it as it is. I already have some shocks that will fit, and if I find out the wheels line up would I be ok to go with this?

I would think as long as your wheels track straight and you chain runs straight. You should be good to go.

My opinions are not that of the management!

I was looking at an '82 ZN700 recently, looks about like what you have. Nice bike...

I've been working in spurts on this thing, and heres what I've done and found out.

Yes the rear hoop is tweaked, this makes the distance between shock mounts differ by 1/4" more on the right side. I don't know what that might mean as far as the ride or handling. I have some Sportster shocks to install; the original left shock was bent very badly. The bushings were replaced and they fit good.

I went to check the front end and it is also tweaked. I have loosened all the bolts and can't seem to get her straight, so the next step is remove it all and check the tubes. Once the front is straight I will see how well the wheels align and make a final decision on rebuilding or parting out.

I have cleaned up all the wiring connections and remade parts of the harness. The right handlebar control housing needed re-wiring back to the harness. The ignition pickups needed rewiring back to the ignitor. I am missing the tach and dashboard, and all that wiring needs to be terminated if I can't locate replacements. These are a bitch to find so far.

I cleaned the fuel tank and that was an experience. I like using phosphoric acid but my Home Depot didn't have any acid tile cleaner, my weapon of choice. So I bought some concrete etcher. Lots of phospho acid here, and a lot of nitric acid too.
DO NOT USE THIS STUFF!! The nitric acid reacts too violently and I had a spewing volcanic fuel tank after 10-20 minutes. I diluted this stuff 3:1 too. What a mess. Stick with phosphoric acid and nothing else.

The carbs are torn down and cleaned, they look great. The fuel system will get new tubing and a filter.

I need to tear into the exhaust system, the mufflers wiggle a lot at ththe header joints. I might need some exhaust part, like a bushing...not sure what it's called. Exhaust donut?

I don't need much more to see if she will fire up, and I have not spent a lot either. Purchashed a clutch cable $20, concrete etcher $12, carb cleaner $7, 40w soldering iron $8, free wire , 10w-40 oil $10, oil filter $2.50, fuel filter $2.50, air filter $15.

Wow $77 in parts and $100 for the bike, Sweeeeet.

Parts I want: Sidecovers, ignition cover, tach, dashboard, different handlebars (no way 6'2" is comfortable on a stock LTD).

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2007/03/20 11:27

to throw another one in to the pile kawi also made a belt drive in 83 750k model.i own one and is the only one i have seen so far. :whistle: :whistle:

peterc wrote:

to throw another one in to the pile kawi also made a belt drive in 83 750k model.i own one and is the only one i have seen so far. :whistle: :whistle:

There is at least one other member here with a 83 KZ750K1, and probably more.
That was the last year for the 750 twin as they were not selling very well.

Thanks for the reply when the snow up here goes and the weather warms i can get back to working on the ride.I hope the belt is still availiable mine is missing a couple of teeth.

Today I got this thing started. She was hesitant at first but finally got with the program and fired up. It smokes a bit but that is from all the PB blaster and ATF in the cylinders
She idles once warm and doesn't leak yet. It's cooling off right now as I need to better attach the #4 header, it leaks and is LOUD!
The fun has just started, it needs lots more work, a title, paint & polish....

I did fix the broken case with some JB Weld and sheetmetal, what are you going to do?

Could you show some pictures of the repairs you made on the case? I didn't think you would do it!:woohoo:

The good news, Kent, is that the LTD Shaft is pretty much the same bike as the Spectre. AFAIK the main differences were cosmetic. Check buykawasaki.com for exceptions, of course...

As for the tweaked subframe, you should be able to put a big cheater bar through the frame and un-tweak it. Just takes a bit of brute finesse!

Re: the GS450... chopper? Really? Why not a little cafe bike instead?

That's what I need, brute force.