'79 KZ1000

Picked this puppy up earlier this week. First time with a bike in a few years. I was looking to start up a cafe racer (probably of some other type of bike) and this showed up.

There are a few things that need fixing:
Gauge lamps, few lights on the tree do not work, left blinker doesn't work, brake light for the hand brake doesn't work, oil gauge needs replacing. Burns a bit of oil. Rear shocks also need replacing.

Carbs just had some work about a month before I got it.

Any suggestions on where to start seeing as I have little to no experience with engines and mechanical wiring?

looks like a hell of a good start get a manual a lot of guestions that you have will be answered in there look for the trouble shooting section that will help alot. what you can't figure out yourself feel free to ask someone on here will have done it experianced or know someone who has.

I recently got a 79 also. In the little time I've investigated the electronics on these things - they don't seem overly complicated. Should be pretty easy to trace wires. No ecms or oxygen sensors or bank angle sensors. Pretty much just battery, ignition, charging, and lights.

You've come to the right place. I'm sure people here can help you out and get you sorted in no time.

Nice scoot btw. Looks mean. Does it run well?

timebomb33 wrote:

looks like a hell of a good start get a manual a lot of guestions that you have will be answered in there look for the trouble shooting section that will help alot. what you can't figure out yourself feel free to ask someone on here will have done it experianced or know someone who has.

Getting ahold of a manual is definitely the plan. Curious if anyone might be able to point me a link to a copy of it?

Mortarmanmike wrote:

I recently got a 79 also. In the little time I've investigated the electronics on these things - they don't seem overly complicated. Should be pretty easy to trace wires. No ecms or oxygen sensors or bank angle sensors. Pretty much just battery, ignition, charging, and lights.

You've come to the right place. I'm sure people here can help you out and get you sorted in no time.

Nice scoot btw. Looks mean. Does it run well?

Bike runs great! It had some carb work just before I bought it, the only things wrong with it are listed above. I'm pretty happy with the purchase so far. She's in the shop right now getting a chain adjustment, oil change, and having the electronics worked out.

Better have deeeep pockets if the shop is going to do all the work. Oil changes and chain adjustments billed by the hour at $70 up are just plain crazy talk. Get thyself a manual and save bookoo foldin' money.

really like the look man.

Locozuna wrote:

Better have deeeep pockets if the shop is going to do all the work. Oil changes and chain adjustments billed by the hour at $70 up are just plain crazy talk. Get thyself a manual and save bookoo foldin' money.

absolutely, I just figured on this first round I'd have it get done and have someone on the line for it. This way if it's a quick fix i'll just have him do it. If not, he'll tell me where he left off and I'll have somewhere to start/go. Luckily I've got the floorstand(?) (picks up the rear tire) so I can do chain/oil myself in the future.

GimPy wrote:

really like the look man.

Many thanks! This picture is terrible because of the cm450 in the background making it busy. I'll get some clearer/nicer photos here shortly.

love the fuel tank definitly makes the look happen for me.

better view of the paintjob for you