Introducing myself

I have recently acquired a 1983 KZ1100a1 that has been sitting for about 3 years. I currently ride a (don't kick me out for this) Honda Valkyrie. My previous bikes were Kaws. My first bike was a 79 KZ750 twin. Kinda wish I had it back now. My next bike was an 80 KZ1300. I loved that bike, but started having electrical problems, got frustrated and traded it for a 4 wheeler. I was without a bike for about 15 years, but have had the Valk for about 5 yrs now. Been wanting a project bike for a while and kinda stumbled across this KZ. My brother in law had it. We did some trading and I got it for next to nothing. I have bobber on the brain, so that is the direction I am headed right now. I look forward to the info I will get from here and sharing my build.

Ride safe!!
Tim

Welcome to KZR. Let's see some pictures of the old girl. I won't beat on you for having a Valky. I happen to be a fan of Honda sixes. Give me a CBX, ooh I love that sound. That KZ1300 didn't sound too bad either. The big bore Kawis strike me as being too big for a bobber, but I have seen some that work. Good luck with your project.

Welcome Tim...don't worry, many of us here also have an uncured Honda affliction too. I love CL72/77 series Scramblers

testarossa wrote:

The big bore Kawis strike me as being too big for a bobber, but I have seen some that work.

Being 6'4" and 350#, The 1100 feels small to me. Guess it's all perspective!! LOL!!

Sorry, this is the only pic I have access to at the moment. this is after stripping the fairing, removing bags and trunk and hitting her with the pressure washer to remove the 3 yrs of dust and dirt that was built up. I am taking pick as the project progresses and will upload them soon.



This is kind of my inspiration for the direction I am headed.



Now if I can just get the ideas out of my head and into being, it'll all be good.

Tim

I guess at your size the bobber will look porportional. Everybody always tells me that I look big on my bikes, and I'm only 6'3" and 235.

Are you planning on making a hardtail out of it? That bike in your inspiration looks to have a functional swingarm.

Does the KZ run?

BTW here's a link to a KZ bobber/chopper thread:
kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=11&id=347813

Might give you some more inspiration.

Guess I'm a wus, but it will have a functional swingarm. Don't think I could handle a hardtail!!

It's not running yet, but was running when parked 4 years ago. I am working on getting it running now to see what I have to work with. I have cleaned/rebuilt the carbs, installed a new battery and checked that the engine turns and the electrics work. I have spark at the plugs, just have to clean the tank, reinstall the newly cleaned petcock, add gas change the oil and filter and try to fire her up.

I am also working on the brakes. the calipers were all stuck and the front master cylinder was full of stuff that looked like red mud. I am cleaning and rebuilding the calipers and front master cylinder. I bled the rear brake and got good pedal response before I found the piston would not retract, so the rear master cylinder seems to be fine.

If anyone has any good advice on removing rust from the tank, I am listening. I would like to have her running in the next couple of weeks so I can proceed with the build.

Thanks for the link. I will check it out.

Tim