Returning member(76 kz900) advice needed

Gonna try this again...
I have been a KZR member for several years.

I have tried many times to get the rebuild/resto/ going on my bike.

But life has had other plans.

I inherited my 76 kz900 from my dad in 2000.
It was running, bad but running, then it sat for a few more years.
I tried to start messing with it again in 2003, had all new paint(Cadillac metallic red) Polishing things up, had someone try to get the carbs right.:dry:
then Another curve ball...
Late 2007 I was starting to do more research for rebuilt carbs etc., found a peice of the cam chain guide in my oil when I was changing it...
Then we started looking for a our first house(another curve ball) .
Bought our first house (05/2008)and it came with its fair share of curve balls...

I just bought my first Harley(05/19/2009) '09 Night Train
and the economy is killing me(I am In the construction business)

Now I am Broke, but determined to get started on this.
I need a game plan.
What to do, and the best order to do in...
Should I restore it, rebuild it, mod it, ???

What I do about the bike is this...
~ It has sat now for many years, tank is in need of attention
~ It needs carb work(rebuilt/new)
~ It has issues inside the engine if the cam chain guide is comming out during oils changes is
~ almost all rubber, plastic etc. is brittle/dry rotted
~ It has 40+K miles on it
~ Lots of attention need all the way around realy.

I will wash it up some this weekend and post pics...
Remember it has sat for along time, most of it in a garage, some of it out doors(carport)...

Also would love to know if there is anyone is in the west Ga(or Georgia at all) that is good with thees bikes.
I have a lot more time than money so I will try to do as much as possible myself

I need a lot of help.

I do have mechanical skills, but not much experience with bikes.
If I need specialty tools, let me know what I need, where a good place is to get them on the cheap

thanx chris

id say start at one end and work your way to the other .fix the engine and any safety issues first,cosmetic stuff can be done as time/money allow

definitely has potential.......

Just went through a similar rebuild. I agree with Plummen. I still have a crappy looking set of body work that I need to address, but at least it runs!!!

Not sure how I double posted this
Mods if you want to merge the two threads Please do...


~ I am not sure about organization of parts removed,
space and area needed for this type of project.
I need to get some totes

~ I do have a double car garage (half is a wood working side, other side is for mechanical)

~ I also have a 'platform'(2x4, 4x4 legs, & plywood top)table type of thing to place motorcycle on to raise it up for easier working/getting to.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ I have a spry gun, and can paint the frame, body work, etc.
~ I have a sandblast cabinet(for small parts)
~ I want to get a fairly cheap Powder Coating set up & oven for small parts

any recommendations ?

where are the How To's for these bikes...
Like the suspension conversion, Frame Mods, etc...

I copy and pasted this from the double post.



First off shame on you for getting a Night train before fixing up your Kaw. The factory shop manual will help out a bit, but this site will help for a lot of things to, so between both you should be good to go. This place was very valuable to me a few years back when I did my bike and I am sure you will find out first hand. Do sections at a time so you do not get overwhelmed. Cleaning her up is cheap and since you have time that will keep you occupied for a while. Ebay can save a bundle on some parts, and some parts should be new for safety reasons. Pick a place to start and ask lots of questions. Oh by the way welcome back.

As for suspension mods use the search function, there is quite a few threads on this subject.

Harley was/is a lifelong dream come true.
The 76 kz900 is a family heirloom. that I am equally passionate about.
But I needed something other than the '03 cbr600rr to commute on while I redo the kz900.

~ Currently looking for prices on a Manual
~ Suspension mods search brings up a ton, but almost all I read where other people searching for info too.
There were 1 or 2 that had some info, but nothing all that technical...
What I would like to find is a 'HOW TO' from start to finish.
I would also like to find a comparison of what is easiest and most available parts/bikes etc...

thanx for the welcome all
chris

Old Man Rock has a write up with fork and swingarm conversion in the filebase, check it out. At the top of page click on KZ info then the filebase. Then go to not model specific and it is on page two. Good Luck.

ditto on plummens quick take also....if it is not a must ride bike...and you are riding other stuff...than make tis a project and fix one thing all the way each session....some guys including me have torn the whole thing apart and then get sidetracked with life and start misplacing tiny bits or worse forget where things went....mark everything you un-do with blue folded over paiters tape and write what it goes to...zip lock bags and a sharpie marker are handy also..if you do ..say...the front brake ..stay on just that project till it's back together and is done...then do the next thing.....soon (6 months -1 year)they start to become a whole better deal..little bit here ..little bit there....keep your eye on your local craigslist and you'll get another same year baskett case for a few hundered...that helps to have a donor bike too...and allways be on the lookout for a good shape motor cheap...they pop up quite often......make it a hobby project and you really got a lotta good on that bike allready......my 2 cents good luck...peace craigPLUMMEN wrote:

id say start at one end and work your way to the other .fix the engine and any safety issues first,cosmetic stuff can be done as time/money allow

also...if you can find a cheap motor that is in decent shape...you can plop it in a take your time learnign the top end re-build on your dads motor....oh yeah and dont spell like me...people will hate ya.....hahahaha

As promised here are some pics of it cleaned up some today.

Very nice bike. Your Dad would be proud.