1979 KZ1000ST almost done

Tim, what brand model side and top bags are those? Those seem to fit very well and hopefully they stay put as I've seen a lot of those type get dangerously close to the wheel (could be poor installation I guess). I might be planning on taking mine next month on a weekend trip to run OH555 and other roads in that area, usually I just use whatever for a bag and a cargo net to secure it to the seat behind me. Sort of gypsy-ghetto chic! :lol: Thanks, Jim

bike turned out nice.i am eager to hear how the seat pad works out.
good luck on your trip.

keep us posted,
leon

wow i just noticed the tires...you are gonna dig em...i have been running these thin ones on my lighter chain MKII @ 34 front & 36 rear...and boy are they neat...they feel soft when i take off and by the first stop they are like hard gummy bears....killer profile...steer quick...lemme know what you think...i bet i weigh enough to tie you and the luggage and the shafty full tank...

ride safe pictures are a must!!!

KZ_Rage wrote: Tim, what brand model side and top bags are those? Those seem to fit very well and hopefully they stay put as I've seen a lot of those type get dangerously close to the wheel (could be poor installation I guess). I might be planning on taking mine next month on a weekend trip to run OH555 and other roads in that area, usually I just use whatever for a bag and a cargo net to secure it to the seat behind me. Sort of gypsy-ghetto chic! :lol: Thanks, Jim

Jim, the brand is 'moto-pak', they were fairly cheap off of ebay or somewhere a few years ago so I figured I'd try them. They actually are very nice, they strap on and stay on easily, all the bags expand to fit more stuff and they all have built in rain covers zipped up in a special pocket. I do have the moto-pak tail bag but the bag that is on them in the above picture is actually the bag for my tent/sleeping bag/etc that came with my tent. The actual moto-pak tail bag clips onto the saddlebag harness or it has lots of tie down rings all over for bunjees.


Edit: At our shop we sell a similar brand which is also not too expensive, "Gears", seems to be very similar in style/quality

531blackbanshee wrote: bike turned out nice.i am eager to hear how the seat pad works out.
good luck on your trip.

keep us posted,
leon

Thanks Leon!

trianglelaguna wrote: wow i just noticed the tires...you are gonna dig em...i have been running these thin ones on my lighter chain MKII @ 34 front & 36 rear...and boy are they neat...they feel soft when i take off and by the first stop they are like hard gummy bears....killer profile...steer quick...lemme know what you think...i bet i weigh enough to tie you and the luggage and the shafty full tank...

ride safe pictures are a must!!!

I like the look of the RR's on the old bikes and they're supposed to have lots of grip too, I'm just interested to see how they wear. They already feel better/sharper than the spitfires I've had on pretty well all my Z's. I do know that they aren't supposed to get as good mileage (softer rubber) so we'll see how much is left of them after about 5000miles in the next couple of weeks.

Oh and I'm 160, I think we'd need another couple of pounds on the bike to match you :laugh:

Very nice bike. I like the rear shocks. I had a couple of ST's run through my hands but got rid of them all. Maybe the bike to snag in the future as the Z's are getting pricy. Ride safe on your trip.

I'll be waiting to hear about how the Avons perform too, what size is the rear (width)?

>The shocks are original Kawi equipment (made by KYB) on the 2000era ZRX 1100 and 1200's.<

How are the shocks working out for you, do they work better than the stockers? Great pinstriping job BTW.

ss^,
Ken

I've have the same bike and have had the pleasure of those shocks on my own ZRX and even though I haven't had them together on the same bike I can only say that compared to stock shocks it would have to be as much of an improvement as you can imagine. Tim has just got this bike back together and will be giving us all a review on as much of the bike, etc. after his long haul trip he is taking on it.

KZ_Rage wrote: I'll be waiting to hear about how the Avons perform too, what size is the rear (width)?

Tire is a 120/90-17 which was the size Kawi listed when I was looking at tires. The bs spitfire that was on there was a 130/80-17 but someone had tried to turn the whole bike into a goldwing (air valve system in the forks, 'touring' rear shocks, fairing, bags, etc) so not a big surprise that it was incorrect.

fxdl2051 wrote: How are the shocks working out for you, do they work better than the stockers? Great pinstriping job BTW.

ss^,
Ken

As Jim said above the bike is just back together with about 200 miles on it. So far they seem better but I'll know better when I get back.


Departure is tomorrow morning, returning the 26/7th. Bike is in as good a state of tune as she will be and the oil and filter have been swapped out. Just packing up now. From where we live it is a straight boring line to anywhere for about 500 miles so tomorrow will just be a mileage day (about 400 or so) and then down into Montana.

be careful on the road.

enjoy your trip.

leon

I'll keep an eye out on EBay for them,wonder if they are same length as stock shocks?