Got it! 1976 KZ900 Ltd

wow thats a nice score.can't wait to see when you get it the way you want it.

Link14 wrote:

Oh oldkaw, just noticed that you'd commented on keeping it as is. I'm eventually going to try and get as close to the original paint job as I can, decaled pinstripes and everything. Just might be awhile before I can save enough pennies!

Ya, i ment to keep it original looking and not mod it to heck, it is hard to find one of these old girls that is that stock looking. I have a little over 36,000 on my Z1, and the engine is running solid as wood. The only thing im gonna do to it this winter is get another head because my uncle the PO, tried to drill out a couple of broken exhaust studs and buggered up the head pretty bad.

Yeah Patton, I probably won't give up the exhaust pipe (sorry), but I might have some questions about them. Both my other bikes had closed ends on the mufflers and these are wide open! Makes me wonder if there's something missing there. I'll probably take some pics in a day or two, but I gotta go out and shuffle the garage some more. Freezing drizzle expected tonight and the wife's Prius wants its spot back.

Link14 wrote:

... Both my other bikes had closed ends on the mufflers and these are wide open! Makes me wonder if there's something missing there....

Am recalling years ago when removed the baffles from the stock megaphone mufflers just to see how they would sound. Without any baffle, they were painfully loud. You know - - air horn loud! :pinch: (not the "good" loved and revered loud song).

The KZ900-B1 (LTD) is extra special!

Good Luck!

Great find indeed!!! I went for a ride on the back of another LTD that was identical to yours back in the early 80's, same color as well (almost). The pilot was "a little off upstairs" and lit the beast up through all 5 gears right by............ a cop :laugh: Ya, he got a coupon from the cop, but man what great memory. Keep us posted on your build, I'd love to have that sitting in my garage right now. Regards Doug

even if you have to go in to the motor it really is no big deal just take your time and do it right it's not a race the bike has been neglected for a long time, and rome wasn't built in a day. as far as that head goes it really shouldn't be that much of a problem to get it fixed any decent welding shop should be able to do it for you. check around at some of the hot-rod engine builders in your area they have to get alluminium parts repaired all the time they should be able to help you.

Yep, I know it's not going to get done in a day or even a year, but I was hoping to have it ridable by next summer. Still possible depending on the engine.

It was over 60 deg today so I pulled both bikes out and washed them, then started stripping down the 900. Interesting stuff:

Good news - PO put in a K&N air filter and it looks almost brand new.

Bad news - the air silencer is missing and when I took off the windshield, I noticed that the bike looked funny....the front blinkers are gone! :blush: Should have seen that one(still would have gotten it though:P ). Have to look at some of Ltdriders pics to see what I need to look for.

Didn't want to waste the whole day working, so I hopped on the 750 and cruised around for an hour. Not too many days left for that.

Well, got things shuffled around enough to get both bikes in the garage for now. Probably have to move the 750 outside once the riding season is over.

Here's a shot of the mufflers. Apparently they're original, but it seems like I'm missing something on the end. Can anyone help me out on this?

Thanks

If not already seen, thinking link14 should enjoy

Kruise King

[If article appears too small, click on it to enlarge.]

Good Luck!

Wow, thanks for the link Patton. Shows me where to put the front turn signals on once I find some!

That is a very nice find. The turn signals will be no problem to locate, they were used on lots of different models. I believe the grab rails are available new as repro pieces. That paint fade is very typical of the 900 B-1's. You have the right idea, take your time and do it right. That is a bike I would not be afraid to spend some big money on because in all likelyhood if you ever decided to part with it you could expect to get your money back. Also since you still have your 750 to ride there isn't any reason to rush through this one. Just my 2 peso's worth.

Thanks Gringo, I stopped by to get an estimate for an original paint job of the bike at a recommended paint shop....looks like this project will take longer than I thought. You're right about the number of models that use that signal, should have checked it before.

Did you get a chance to look at those end views of my mufflers? Still wondering if I'm missing some pieces.