Well, it runs.

Well, it runs. Pretty well actually. It idles a bit high and the adjustment knob doesn't have much effect other than to speed it up. I'll fool around with that this weekend. I suspect throttle cable tension.

Now what I need is a drive chain, working front brakes and some little electrical oddities sorted out. This thing had a Vetter fairing on it at some point (the mount was still attached when I bought it), with the result that a lot of connections are pretty screwed up inside the headlamp shell. In fact, the shell itself must be non-stock, since it didn't fit without a bit of ball peen alteration.

I proudly (and laughingly) note that getting to this point took me less than 3 years. A note for other barn-find rebuilders: Double your budget! It took 3 used air boxes to build one working air box; two used tachometers to build one working tachometer; two front brakes to build one working front brake; etc. There is no such thing as building cheap with used parts.

Thanks to those who gave me free (and generally good) advice along the way.

What year and size of bike?

Color Codes On Most Kawasaki’s (written for 1980’s bikes)
This may help in figuring out the headlight and turn signals.

HEADLIGHT
RED with BLACK stripe, High Beam.
RED with YELLOW stripe, Low Beam.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

BRAKE/TAIL LIGHT Can be an # 1157 dual filament bulb
RED, Running or Tail Light.
BLUE,(sometimes with a Red stripe) Brake Light Circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL Can be an #1157 dual filament bulb
GREEN, Left front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Left front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL Can be an # 1157 dual filament bulb
GREY, Right front turn signal circuit.
BLUE, Right front running light circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL Can be an #1156 single filament bulb
GREEN, Left rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL Can be an #1156 single filament bulb
GREY, Right rear turn signal circuit.
BLACK with YELLOW stripe, the ground circuit.

Thanks. It's a '78 (according to the title-which I don't exactly trust) 440B1. I have a wiring diagram. The only real problem in there is the electrical tape mess and that can be fixed with some connectors and some patience. Actually, since the state of Nebraska doesn't require turn signals and since the fronts are missing, I may just do without them.

Also, I apologize for my post ending up in the engine section. It was meant to be non-tech.

mwriders wrote: I proudly (and laughingly) note that getting to this point took me less than 3 years.

Congratulations...and you are doing better than I on some of my bikes.

mwriders wrote: ...Also, I apologize for my post ending up in the engine section. It was meant to be non-tech.

Which category would be preferred?

Good Fortune!

Projects, I suppose. It's certainly been one, and still is for that matter.