78 KZ 1000 project

mvent wrote:

Next step is doing a forum search for paint removal or blasting frame and repainting, going to try and do as much myself as possible to make this project as cost effective as is reasonable, if there is such a thing lol

What a find! My 77 KZ 650 was set up with those same highway crash bars and TALL backrest. She is much closer to back to stock now. Good luck on your restore. Looks like you are off to a very good start.

check around for local welding shops that do sand blasting,lots of time theyll through your stuff in with another small job to fill in time pretty reasonably

Ok, few more pics and gathering some pieces to go get blasting done, still not sure which media, will decide after talking with different shops. Things will sure slow to a crawl now.
Mike

Last one until its returns from blasting

that kick starter is a great lifting handle for in or out...try turning it like you would to kick it and grab it locked arm, just get a feel at how much leverage you can get with your arm locked...like you were picking up a a giant sack of potatoes....try it while the motors out to feel the grip available....leaves the fingers out of the pinch zone that helpers seem to push em in......mvent wrote:

Thanks Tri, gotta luv these forums for tips and ideas, may be getting alittle ahead of myself but I'm focusing on rims seeing that mine are crappy plus the rear is 16" HD and I want an 18 but probably going Sun natural finish rims and Buchanan SS spokes after hubs are cleaned up, does anyone know how wide I can go with rim widths using stock arm and front end? Also if rim width can be increased , what is appropriate tire size without fitment issues?
Thanks in advance
Mike

If not already mentioned, when your frame gets painted, take the time to remove paint from the many grounding places with a M6x1.0 tap. Also the place where the Negative(-) battery cable goes to the engine mounting bolt.

Many a rebuilder has gotten the bike ready, but can't figure out why the electrical system does not work!

mvent wrote:

Thanks Tri, gotta luv these forums for tips and ideas, may be getting alittle ahead of myself but I'm focusing on rims seeing that mine are crappy plus the rear is 16" HD and I want an 18 but probably going Sun natural finish rims and Buchanan SS spokes after hubs are cleaned up, does anyone know how wide I can go with rim widths using stock arm and front end? Also if rim width can be increased , what is appropriate tire size without fitment issues?
Thanks in advance
Mike

Now this is the question that gets everyone in trouble on KZR. On the stock arm with an 18" rear you might get a 130 in there without any mods. To get any wider, you'll have to change the swingarm. The Suzuki GS swingarm is a fairly popular swap for those seeking a wider tire without too much effort.

MFolks wrote:

If not already mentioned, when your frame gets painted, take the time to remove paint from the many grounding places with a M6x1.0 tap. Also the place where the Negative(-) battery cable goes to the engine mounting bolt.

Many a rebuilder has gotten the bike ready, but can't figure out why the electrical system does not work!

Thanks excellent suggestion

Testa, your right can't, seem to get a definite answer, probably play it safe and go stock specs, don't want to get hungup on 3/4" wider rim and cause tons of grieffor myself

mvent wrote:

Testa, your right can't, seem to get a definite answer, probably play it safe and go stock specs, don't want to get hungup on 3/4" wider rim and cause tons of grieffor myself

Unfortunately that stock swingarm is awfully narrow at the point where the tire is. You can usually get a little wider tire in there with a 16" but you want rid of the 16, so...

The lust for a bigger rear tire lead to all sorts of mods on my bike. It's an addiction. Sometimes I just wish I had built my bike as a stocker, I would be riding it already. Your bike is so complete that I would advise you to go that route. Good luck either way.