1978 KZ-1000 A2 (now with video)

Ok, this is a 1/2 assed rebuild. I wish I had the time, patience, and resources to do some of things I see on here! Anyone who doesnt already know the history of this bike: I bought it in 1996 I think it was. I traded it for a 4x4 Dodge truck in 2000. I just bought it back for $500. The kid I sold it too was too scared to ride it so he let his brother and some other retards drive it, dump it, beat on it, and generally turn it into something much crappier than it was before. So, here it is, on it's way to being at least a little better than it was.

As it sat when I got it.. dirty, broken turn signals, scratches everywhere, semi-running.




Those black marks on the front forks are from a Dodge Durango that knocked me for a loop, didnt do any real damage though.


My favorite part, taking things apart!






"NEW Master cylander off a Police model bike, think it was a 1987"


Brandy new turn signals, all LED bulbs.


Got the master cylander on finally. Changed the way my mirror mounts though, not sure how I feel about that.


Reassembling some of it. I got that chain cover pretty darn shiny, no helping the engine side cover, too much road rash to even bother. Starter cover still had nice chrome hiding under all that dirt. New oil lines, braided hoses, fuel filters and fuel lines, mounted the oil breather K&N to frame.



Some 1976 Z-1 forks I need to rebuild and put on. The pitting on the ones on the bike is really really bad.


Post edited by: AR15Ron, at: 2007/04/12 00:12

I'm likin' this project...keep the posts and pics coming!
-KR

A little more progress. The engine is getting a little cleaner as I go. Some of the paint is done, what you think of the orange? It's Walmart $1 a can special orange . Painted the Muffler flat black, baffle removed. Put on the ebay special chrome rear brake caliper and ebay valve cover. Still trying to get it running on 4 cylanders...





Side covers are done. It's a quickie paint job, no sanding or bodywork. I did clear them though.



Post edited by: AR15Ron, at: 2007/04/01 10:47

well shes getting better;)

Well, it runs now. Still rough at idle but it runs on 4 and I think with a little tweaking it will be good. Got my air shocks on today, dunno if that boot is gonna melt on the exhaust tho. They look kinda cool. Appear to have internal springs and there are adjustment wheels at the top. Have to see what I can learn about them. They are OEM Kawa no less! WAAAaaaay more left to do!



Ron

Thats starting to look pretty sweet. I am glad to hear that you rescued it from unrespectfull hands. You probably saved a couple of lives that way. Keep the pics coming.

OH BOY
I just drove it up and down the street 3 times, I'm still shakin. It bogs real bad in the low end but I don't think I ever really got it warmed up either. It's about 40 degrees and I had to shovel the driveway to get it out.. So I'd give it a little more gas and it would take off like a bat out of hell spinning the rear tire in the sand. What a rush.
So I got my new longer chain on, still waiting for my new rear axel but I torqued the crap out of the messed up one and put the pin in it so it's ok for now. No lights no plate no bodywork. guy backed out of his driveway in front of me on my very first pass. hahah
More pics to come soon, finishing up some more painting then I get to the big parts like the rear fender and tail and gas tank. Front fender is last since I have to change the forks and steering bearings still. WOOooo just had to say I finally drove it!

Ron

cool!:evil:

I'm digging that orange. Let's pray for warm weather so you can get it out and do a shakedown run in sun. Keep the pics coming.

Cool deal, man!
More pics!!!

Oh, one more thing: please assure me that the 'back rest' has a place reserved for it in your 'file 13' collector!

Sixgun wrote:

I'm digging that orange. Let's pray for warm weather so you can get it out and do a shakedown run in sun. Keep the pics coming.

Hope so! Looks like it will be cold at least until mid next week. Which is ok cuz I drove it with no rear fender and it got filthy so I think I will finish painting the fender and put it on HAHA.

Glad you like the color, took me awhile to decide to take the plunge or not. FYI the all the paint I am using is from Walmart. The white base, orange primary, and clear are $1 a can. The entire paint job will be well under $20. The engine paint I used on the exhaust was almost $4 so that was the most expensive part LOL.

I started painting the fender and the tail today so that should be done by the end of the weekend. Then I can get the lights wired up in back and put a plate on it! I should get my vacuum guages today or tomorrow to sync the carbs up along with a new tail light lens and gas cap gasket. The guage covers and head light bucket are painted just sitting until I have to put them on. Expect more pics by the end of the weekend

Ron