31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

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31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 16:03
#380853
I'm starting with a 79 KZ650 B3. I got this bike from my girlfriend's dad, and I got a pretty good deal to! Right now I'm working on carb issues at the moment. He told me he had the carbs synced and tuned before it sat for the last 5 years, so I don't want to mess up any adjustments if they can stay tuned for 5 years? I took the rack off and cleaned all of the float bowls out, they were really bad, I have a feeling I'm going to need to take all of the jets out and clean them. What is the best way to try to salvage most of the tune, or retune without a sync tool?

Most of the modifications I'll be doing will be cosmetic... Drag bars, back to original headlight, and a little reshaping of the seat. I eventually plan to go with electronic ignition and 4-1 exhaust, but those won't be until this winter at the earliest. Here are a few pictures, which I know everyone loves. and thanks in advance for your help!

These were taken as soon as I got home





1979 KZ650 B3
1979 KZ1000 ST E1

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 16:06
#380855
And these were after I gave her a quick wash, no detail job but it still looks pretty good I think!







1979 KZ650 B3
1979 KZ1000 ST E1

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 16:10
#380856
This brings me to my first real question. There are cobwebs behind the guage faces. I know there is a way to get the guages apart. right now I have the speedo and tach seperated, but I can't figure out how to the the glass off. These are the only parts I can work on this week because they are all I could fit into my car lol! I'm working at a summer internship, so I only get to do real work on the weekends.

here is a pic.

you can see the cobweb right above the 100 mark.
1979 KZ650 B3
1979 KZ1000 ST E1

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 16:13
#380859
I forgot to mention that I've already removed the fairing, back rest/luggage rack, and the case guards. If anyone is interested in these items I could use the money for some new tires! pm me if you are interested.
1979 KZ650 B3
1979 KZ1000 ST E1

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  • 650ed
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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 16:16
#380860
Disassemling and reassembling the guages is pretty tricky; do a search on this forum and you'll find some guidance. If you do decide to go with a 4>1 exhaust be CAREFUL with the original exhaust system (don't hurt it). If it's in good condition it's worth more $$ than the the new 4>1 will cost. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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  • justinz830
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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 17:06
#380866
Yeah, the stock exhaust are in very good condition! I haven't decided if I want to sell them to help pay for new exhaust, or keep them in case I ever decide to go back to stock. I'll have to wait and see how I like the new exhaust if I end up getting one.
1979 KZ650 B3
1979 KZ1000 ST E1

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  • Iron Duke
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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 19:40
#380918
For gauge service(Z1 Enterprise)Z-rusto will handle this.Don't do this yourself. Z-resto will bring them back to NEW for around a ben franklin each.And welcome to KZR this be the place for Kawi's. good luck Duke
1982 KZ550 LTD C-3
1979 XS1100 F Yamaha

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 19:43
#380920
And yes thats a nice lookin' 650.
1982 KZ550 LTD C-3
1979 XS1100 F Yamaha

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 20:02
#380927
Nice 650, your girlfriend's dad must think you are an OK kid. Good luck with the bike.

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  • trianglelaguna
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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 20:17 - 07 Jul 2010 20:17
#380937
that will be the best bike you've ever owned and you will most likely go on to own many....

you will always remember that bike as the best...imo


]
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Last edit: 07 Jul 2010 20:17 by trianglelaguna.

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

07 Jul 2010 22:37
#380967
i like how it looked when it was dusty:D i think i dull no gloss red would look cool as hell on one of those bikes.
1981 Kawasaki KZ1000-K LTD
1983 Suzuki GS300L-D
1982 Suzuki GS300L-Z sold:(
1976 KZ400D3
1973 Z900... I WISH

DO A BARREL ROLL!!

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Re: 31 year old bike, 21 year old kid

08 Jul 2010 01:52
#380975
If you don't feel like rebuilding the carbs, and the bike runs now, put them back on and grab a can of Seafoam and put it in your gas tank per the instructions. I use more than recommended when I'm trying to clean the carbs out. It works well and has saved me many times.

Oh and +1 on Z-Resto for the gauges. Very reasonable price and they do great work.

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