Howdy All!

Well, my name is Robert. I live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I'm inheriting my dad's KZ900. He was the original owner. The bike has been stored in a garage, but hasn't been run in over 20 years. I've ordered a Clymer manual to help get it back up and running. I'm interested in any help or suggestions to get it up and running safely. I'm sure I'll need to rebuild carbs, replace fuel lines and spark plugs. But what other things should I replace or rebuild before even attempting to starting the bike? Should I pull the motor and rebuild the entire thing? Rebuild forks? Re grease all the bearings? Replace them?

I know it needs a new exhaust system, what's a really good system for such a bike? Other than that, it still looks just like the picture. lol. I can't wait to get it out and wash the dust off. We're still in winter up here, so I don't know when that will be. But I want to start ordering things I know I'll need to get it up and going.

I certainly would NOT even consider rebuilding the engine at this point. My advice would be to buy a genuine Kawasaki Service Manual for the exact year / model of the bike. After getting it I would take a look at the maintenance schedule in the manual and perform every maintenance item listed. That way you will establish a baseline that you can then use to schedule maintenance in the future. Aside from normal scheduled maintenance items, the bike will need a new battery and tires. If after all maintenance has been performed you discover there is a problem you can address that problem knowing it is not simply something related to a lack of maintenance. Ed

Welcome to KZR

Dave

Welcome to KZR. As Ed stated, use the Kawasaki factory service manual. I can tell you from experience, the Clymer has some serious misprints in t in regard to the torque specifications. Like the cam shaft cap bolts for example. I know I stripped an cam chain tensioner mounting bolt because it was wrong in the body of the chapter, but the value at the end of the chapter was correct. I have both, I find the Clymer useful in some cases as well. So not a waste of money that you are getting it. You can download the KZ factory service manual from the information menu on the home page of this site. You can use the "Z1" manual, although there is a more specific KZ900 service manual out there. Just search the internet. They are both very similar, but the KZ has different carburetors, etc. Put squirt or two of Marvel Mystry Oil, or Kroil in each cylinder to soak for a few days prior to turning the engine. Do everything Ed suggested and like he said, go from there.

Welcome. I wish my dad was cool enough to ride and have a KZ900. Alas...
Where are the pics?

My dad said he wanted a Sportster. Never got one or any bike for that matter. He just wanted to cut down my bike. He'd be rolling around in his grave if he new I was still riding it and visiting my grandchildren on it every month.
Some dads are cool, some are just good dads and like mine, some are just slugs. At least you had a good one.
Steve

Awesome, thank you for the input. I'll get my hands on that manual. Electronic if I have to, but I like to have actual books in my hands when I can.

Thanks everyone for the welcomes and input. I'll get pics once I can get down to my dad's place. Most of the initial maintenance will happen at his place. I need to build a shed here where I live to keep it in. But I will document everything and upload pics as soon as I can.