Hello from Augusta, GA

Story Time!

My friend's girlfriend just recently told me that her father had 3 bikes at her grandmother's house. Jokingly I asked if I could take one off of their hands. I got a text this morning saying that a 1981 KZ750 could be mine for $250. It is disassembled from when it was worked on when after it seized up on on the previous owner. Sadly, he died and it is still disassembled. I'm going to take a look at everything tomorrow, unless a case, cylinder, or head is cracked, I'm going to buy it.

Is there anything I should especially look for?

I hope that's not the front wheel. :woohoo: Just kidding, if all the parts are there and the fenders, gauges, side covers and tank are there, it might be worth building. If not pieces/parts. More pics?
Steve

The owner is currently in FL and is storing it at his mom's house. My friend only took the one picture. I'm just really hoping the engine is fine after it seizing on him.

$250 is too much money for a bike that is totally broken down, scattered around, and has a frozen motor (pic below). You have no idea what pieces are missing and how many $$$$$$$$$$ it may take to repair the broken bits; remember - these engines don't seize unless they are severely abused (as in run with no oil) so it is very likely other damage (like fried bearings, ruined clutch, etc.) was done. Plus even if your time is only worth $1 per hour you are going to put an awful lot into that thing. At this point it's only good for parts, and if you don't need the parts to repair a like model it isn't worth much to you. Personally, I would definitely pass. Ed

650ed wrote: $250 is too much money for a bike that is totally broken down, scattered around, and has a frozen motor (pic below). You have no idea what pieces are missing and how many $$$$$$$$$$ it may take to repair the broken bits; remember - these engines don't seize unless they are severely abused (as in run with no oil) so it is very likely other damage (like fried bearings, ruined clutch, etc.) was done. Plus even if your time is only worth $1 per hour you are going to put an awful lot into that thing. At this point it's only good for parts, and if you don't need the parts to repair a like model it isn't worth much to you. Personally, I would definitely pass. Ed

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Unless you are a hard core bike mechanic and flip bikes, I agree 100%.
Even if you already have a bike just like this one, one that is a rolling chassis with a free engine... this purchase is just a bunch of parts to toss in the corner of your shop to be used when you need something scavenged from it.

so i went to go look at it. the previous owner has a brand new engine from the looks of it. new rods, pistons, crank, valves, etc. etc. There's a whole bike there and then some, and while i'm not an enthusiast that likes to flip bikes. I do like having a project like this on the back burner. Still up in the air about it...i figure, worst case scenario, i can re-sell alot of it for more than 250

YUP. There's a guy here that needs a front end.
Steve

So the engine case piece I circled in the image below is not the engine you would be trying to repair for this bike?
Ed

OH LORD no! i'd have 3 sets of cylinders. 2 complete engines, one disassembled.

Disclaimer: i dont have a fancy camera, nor do i have any idea how to take pictures in any particular "good" way. sorry in advance

and forgive me if i dont get these parts right that may common sense to you, this will possibly be my first bike, outside of the 2 stroke dirtbike.

The bottom of the crank case on the old one broke if i recall correctly. and the attached water pump (best guess)??? In any case the cylinder isnt too bad, honestly i can press that out and press in new sleeves. Thanks for bearing with me guys and gals.

The rest of the big items seem to be there, i could only find on front calliper, but i may have just missed it in the 20 boxes that i went through. The only thing i'm not certain on is all the fasteners...they are in multiple folger's cans.

There's no water pump on that engine. :ohmy:
Steve

:blush: DANG! i was hoping i'd get close! i have no idea what the broken thingy is.

That broken thingy doesn't look like any KZ part I've ever seen. It does look like some sort of water pump - but remember your KZ is air cooled. The only time it is water cooled is when you get caught in a rain storm. :laugh: Ed