Tennessee KZ750

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Tennessee KZ750

28 Apr 2017 15:45 - 28 Apr 2017 15:50
#760529
Hello All! I just purchased my first Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR. It is a one owner bike that set for a time.It is a complete bike except for the rear turn signal lights. I am working to get it back roadworthy. The engine is solid with good compression, just have the problem of everything being stuck or sticky from not being ridden. The tank has been cleaned and sealed. Looking forward to seeking advice and help from the forum.
My first thought was to make it a bobber but the bike is so complete and in fairly good shape for the age that I do not think I can bring myself to do that. I owned a Honda Shadow 650 bobber previously that I really enjoyed, except for a electrical issue that I could never run down, and a springer solo seat that was way to small.

Only time will tell.
1982 Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR

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Last edit: 28 Apr 2017 15:50 by ric812.

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

28 Apr 2017 15:54
#760532
Here is picture of my previous bike. A honda bobber
1982 Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

28 Apr 2017 15:59 - 28 Apr 2017 16:00
#760535
Howdy. Instead of a bobber, a 750-Twin seems like a good candidate for a Cafe Racer, as a parallel twin would be similar to some of the early British versions. Being a Kawasaki, it would be more reliable. :)
Last edit: 28 Apr 2017 16:00 by martin_csr.

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  • Scirocco
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Re: Tennessee KZ750

28 Apr 2017 16:00
#760537
Hello and welcome ric812

A good basis for an apartment build project.
This forum will help you with knowledge to get your bike back roadworthy.
posting your progress and keep in mind we all here loving bike pic´s

Michael
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Re: Tennessee KZ750

28 Apr 2017 16:04
#760538
The only thing I would change is the brick tail light. So few of these around it would be a pity to 'Bob" it.
Steve

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

30 Apr 2017 07:42
#760732
SWest wrote: The only thing I would change is the brick tail light. So few of these around it would be a pity to 'Bob" it.
Steve

What type of taillight would you recommend?
1982 Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

30 Apr 2017 07:44
#760733
Scirocco wrote: Hello and welcome ric812

A good basis for an apartment build project.
This forum will help you with knowledge to get your bike back roadworthy.
posting your progress and keep in mind we all here loving bike pic´s

Michael

I am very fortunate to be in a house and have a inside space where I can work on it. I will keep pictures coming and I have received very good advice on all my newb questions.
1982 Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

30 Apr 2017 08:00 - 30 Apr 2017 11:30
#760737
Your newer style tail light is okay by me. The 81 & earlier tail light is shaped different & is bigger.

I would move the turn signals to the headlight bucket & change the handlebars.
When you change the bars, that kind of opens a whole new can of worms. new cables. brake line. mc.
That bike appears to need a bunch of work, so you probably need to do that stuff anyway.

KZ440 cafe racer. not mine.
Last edit: 30 Apr 2017 11:30 by martin_csr.

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

30 Apr 2017 08:59
#760747
You are right martin_csr it does need alot of work from sitting up. The handlebars are rusted really bad, the MC is shot and rusted on the inside(and has one screw that stripped on the cover), the seat cover is cracked but the foam is still good. That pretty much covers alot of the things I would change for a cafe racer from what I can tell, so it may be the direction I am headed. The turn signals in the headlights sound interesting, I will look that up. Yeah that idea is growing on me and I do think it will require any really permanent mods to the bike.
1982 Kawasaki KZ750M Twin CSR

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Re: Tennessee KZ750

30 Apr 2017 11:03 - 30 Apr 2017 11:10
#760768
Front turn signals. The simplest thing is to replace the big headlight bolts with turn signal stems. I installed aftermarket K&S stems from Z1Enterprises.com. the ones with the diamond shape cast into the stem. I think a better option would be KZ400 stems or Honda CB750 turn signal brackets (stems) which are similar to the KZ400. or whatever 70s CB they came on.

The stock Fr turn signals have tiny grounding rings, so I cut those off & crimped on some 10mm rings from the auto parts store. At the time I didn't have a good ratcheting crimper, so I did mash crimps, then secured the crimps using Permatex liquid solder. The stuff dries like a hard plastic & is actually a good alternative to solder for the turn signals. I wouldn't do this on something like the ignition system, though.
Last edit: 30 Apr 2017 11:10 by martin_csr.

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