Son and I want to start this 76 KZ900

Any tips on starting a stored bike?

I drained the tank and carbs 17 years ago. Once a year I would squirt oil on the spark plug holes and kick it over a few times for the rings and pistons. I changed the oil a few months ago and the new battery has been on a Tender Jr for the last year. My 26 year old son and I would like to get it running, put new tires on it and license it here in CA. I only paid $500 for it in 1993(?). DMV might be a chore. I have the signed bill of sale and transfer of owner, but never licensed it. It has not been started, since the original owner passed away 20 years ago. A friend who builds street rods said "change the oil, clean the tank with acetone, put in new plugs, gas it up and try to start it with a shot of WD40."

Any ideas on success stories would be greatly appreciated.

There are some awesome 900s on this site.

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. I would add one item on the To-do list. Install a small inline fuel filter in the fuel line between the tank and the carbs. That should catch any residual junk that might not get flushed from the tank. Should save you a lot of future headaches with those carbs. You are going to replace those old fuel lines, aren't you?

BTW that is a good lookin' bike to start with. It's definitely worth trying to get it back on the road. Perfect father/son project on this Father's day weekend. Get the legal stuff sorted out before you spend any major money to make sure you can get plates on it. Might look at new brake lines, flush and bleed the brakes, new pads, and probably a new clutch cable once you get it running.

IN case you need... FREE OEM Service Manual... 98% the same as yours...

Z1/KZ900 OEM Service Manual

Good luck

CA titles are easy. I have used AAA to do all mine and they are great! Worst case is you will need to take the bike to the CHP for VIN verification.

If all this seems like to much a hassle... I'm available in CA to take that pretty bike off your hands

:ohmy: Thank you very much. Is your bike "build and start up" on You tube? It looks famileur.

Nice old school header. Looks like an aluminum akront 3.50" rear rim. Air shocks? Modern low rider!
I want that seat! old and not known!
Make sure you clean and adjust the points! Take the ign. advancer unit apart and clean and lube it.
leave the plugs out spin it over, use some compressed air to blow through the cylinders with the throttle open wide. Blow everything out, the exhaust and carbs. Many revolutions!

If it starts, take it out and beat er up! Up and down your street. Change the oil after 5 or 10 minutes too!

My opinion. Good Luck!

Sactown900 wrote: :ohmy: Thank you very much. Is your bike "build and start up" on You tube? It looks famileur.

yeah that's Dave's bike on there. nice ride you got there by the way.

Great tips. Thank you very much.

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KZ250LTD wrote:

Sactown900 wrote: Any tips on starting a stored bike?

:whistle:

Yea, I think I may drain the battery trying to start this thing. Good thing the left knee is the bad one. :woohoo:

The back end looks low. Are those collapsed airshocks?

I'm guessing you're in Sacramento, me too.

Nelson wrote: The back end looks low. Are those collapsed airshocks?

I'm guessing you're in Sacramento, me too.

Yes, I am Sacramento. Those air-shocks go empty in about 4 months. Part of my clean up (once it runs) is toss those for stock shocks and loose the front air valves, hoses and gauge. I see Z1Enterprise sells fork caps for $49.

You still own the bike in the avatar? It looks GREAT. I am going for the lowered-stock-sleeper look for now. My son wants me to build it like the WrenchMonkee Cafe Bike.