CenTex Checking In

Greetings,
I've been a member and lurking for quite a while.
Just finished helping a good friend gather parts and get his 1977 KZ1000 back together after being dead for a good number of years.

That bike and I have previous history dating back to about 1980 when a cousin bought it.
When he picked it up, it was already warmed over by Glenn from San Marcos including engine work and frame gussets and swingarm work.
He rode it for a while, got married, etc.
It was handed off to another friend after it sat for a while.
We cleaned the carbs and got it running again and it was ridden a little then sat for a while....
Another friend picked it up and tried to get it going again but it had suffered pretty badly by now and had seized the rings on the two inside cylinders.

Now to the present owner....
Keith picked it up about two years ago and started plotting the rebuild.
He gathered all the history he could about the bike and along with prodding from us on how to spend his money, he has a really nice finished product.
You have to understand Keith.....he is most meticulous - his Panheads NEVER leaked oil and were maintained in near showroom condition.
First, only the best engine would do....he called in Thomas Elrod and told him he wanted an Elrod engine for his 'Saki. Luckily, Tom only lived about 30 minutes from Keith! If you don't know who Tom Elrod is, check out Bonneville Salt flat records - he is one of a handful of folks who went over 200 MPH on a kekkid motorcycle - powered by a pair of Z1 engines back in the late 70's!!! Keith did say he regretted how much it cost to get Tom out of retirement to build his engine but quickly forgets when he cracks the throttle!

The rest of the bike was stripped completely.
EVERYTHING was rebuilt: forks, carbs, brakes, wheel bearings, etc.
All small brackets were stripped and powdercoated.
Every cast part not on the engine was ground and polished to remove all casting lines, then powdercoated or polished.
Most of the bolts were replaced with hand polished stainless steel where they could.
There are so many small details that you have to look for a long time and just keep seeing more and more.
He even lasercut a KZ key fob!

I will get pics up shortly as they are at work on my PC and I am home....

As for me, I have had a few 'Sakis over the years. The main one that comes to mind is my 1976 KZ 900 LTD that I bought new and still have. Sadly, it's sitting in my shop largely neglected over the past 8 years but it's time is coming soon.
Thanks to my friend Keith for the inspiration!

pictures,we need pictures! :laugh:

Welcome Joe...nice to meet you. Greetings from SE Texas.

welcome to the forum.

pretty cool story you got there.show us them pics when you can,

leon

Dang Vern, you waited 4 years to write your first post. Welcome into the fray. I'm a former CenTexer myself. Born in Hondo, grew up in Kerrville, and lived in Austin for 9 years. Lets see that 900 LTD when you get a chance.

Greetings,
Pics of Keith's KZ.
Still a work in progress but very close to finished.
Notice the high dollar ceramic coating pealing off the exhaust - dangit!!!
Oh, also check out the custom KZ key fob!
Without further ado, here you go:

i don't normally go for much yellow but i would ride that bike.it seems to work together.
ol' kieth seesm like he might be a detail freak :lol: .
who added the spoiler to the tail,or is it hand laid?

leon

Greetings,
The guy that originally built the bike back in late 70's put the spoiler on the tail piece. I don't think it is hand laid glass but will ask Keith as he did the paint work also.