New Member, '77 KZ900

Just trailered home my '77 KZ900. This is my first bike, I decided I needed something else to tinker with
besides my car .
I run the largest site on the net for the 2nd generation J-bodies, V6Z24.com .
I've done a lot of EFI tuning on my engine builds, but carbs are new to me

My Dad used to drag race this bike back in the 70's & 80's. When in full force, it had a turbo
(unknown PSI) and a wheelie bar, so you know it was fast! No idea what kind of time it was putting
down after all the work,but it was an all-out drag bike. I know there has been internal engine work
done as well, but I'm not sure what exactly.

The bike got put in storage after my dad past away, but I've finally pulling it out to get her back
on the road! (Been stored for about 6 years now) So many questions I wish I could ask him now...

All I know is it doesn't have spark right now according to my uncle. Already has an
aftermarket ignition (no more points), but I don't even have a battery for it yet.
Hopefully I'll have it running soon!









More photos

Post edited by: moonwell, at: 2007/05/21 01:58

Post edited by: kzrider, at: 2007/05/21 03:23

Moonwell...welcome to KZR,Bud!
That's a helluva story behind that bike...kinda sad in a way,but really kool in another...right on!
Get it running and do a maiden cruise for Your Dad.

Get tinkering...ask questions,Bud...lots of knowledge here...lots!

Welcome Moonwell...nice to see another Z being resurrected...stop by anytime...

Moonwell welcome to the site. That is a nice looking bike that has all the potential in the world to be a show stopper. Some of the mods your dad made that I can spot in the pics are the addition of a gas tank from an LTD as well as the LTD seat. He looks to have added a steering stabilizer as well as velocity stacks that were made by Cir-Cycle products. He may have added Cir-Cycle coils as well can't tell from the pics but they did come with yellow wires as did coils from accell. You might want to replace the velocity stacks with some sort of pod filters if you are planning on riding on the street, those velocity stacks don't keep out much in the way of dirt. You have a bike there that is worth taking your time and doing right.

Welcome!
That 900 looks ready to ride! Low miles, too. Should be a great project.

moonwell wrote:

Just trailered home my '77 KZ900....

Howdy, Moonwell, and Welcome.
Extra nice bike you have!
Knowing you must be interested in its build.

Believe 1976 was last year for KZ900 model production.
Perhaps has KZ1000 engine in KZ900 frame, or vice-versa.
May be interesting to investigate engine i.d. number and frame i.d. number, and number(s) shown on title certificate.

Nice having you on board.

Some further observations from the pics ---

Rear drum brake indicates 1976;
Square taillight began in 1977;
Front fender from '77 or later LTD;
Chain guard from LTD;
Goodyear Eagle RWL front tire was first introduced on the '76LTD (would recommend replacing before riding);
Points cover '77 or later.

Thanks for all the pics. Most interesting.

Suspect others may correct me and elaborate further.

Thanks for all the welcomes & great info provided so far

The Gringo wrote:

velocity stacks that were made by Cir-Cycle products.

Cool, I was wondering what the Cir-Cycle stickers were for.


Patton wrote:

Believe 1976 was last year for KZ900 model production.

From the small bits of research I've done, I read that the '77 KZ900 was built using surplus '76 parts.
It is an A5 according to the title, and that shows up as an option when I lookup parts at Z1. But it looks like most '77's were 1000's

moonwell wrote:

It is an A5 according to the title, and that shows up as an option when I lookup parts at Z1. But it looks like most '77's were 1000's

You are correct Moonwell...the only place that A5's appear is in North America...all were assembled in Nebraska:)

welcome to z-jungleB) ive seen 2 77 k900s they were both the origional green,like you said basically late build 76s.75z1 was last year for round tail light to match z1 tailiece,76 had flatter light for kz series;)

wireman wrote:

welcome to z-jungleB) ive seen 2 77 k900s they were both the origional green,like you said basically late build 76s.75z1 was last year for round tail light to match z1 tailiece,76 had flatter light for kz series;)

My senior moments are getting more frequent. :laugh:
For of course it was '76 for the flatter tail light when updated from Z1 to KZ900 series (not '77 :blush: ).

And thanks to Mcdroid for info about Nebraska produced A5's exclusive to North America.

Certainly a RARE bike.

aaaaaaaaaah nebraskaaaaaaaaa!