'78 KZ1000A2A (now a hardtail bobber)

Charles, You're only a few miles from me. Come on down and we'll go for a spin sometime. I'd like to see what you're riding. Any pics? If you come down to the track, let me know. Maybe we can meet there. It's very close to me.

I am putting my bike back together for now, as is. It can be ridden just fine as long as I shift firmly and deliberately into second and third. And I keep a rag handy for a wipe down of the left crank cover from the weeping base gasket. I have a few other vehicles to work on before tearing this one down.

One of those is the CB750 I bought awhile back. I'll get her on the road then pull this motor. I've got a new jet kit with 6 sizes to choose from, and four Kei Hin carb rebuild kits on the way.

I found out yesterday that the oil drain plug is not coming out without some heat on it or welding a nut to it. It is completely rounded off and vise grips just keep rounding it more. I can change oil by removing the filter till then. It doesn't get all the oil out though. So I'll fix that when the engine is on the bench.

fivestring wrote: ...the oil drain plug is not coming out without some heat on it or welding a nut to it. It is completely rounded off and vise grips just keep rounding it more....

Heated with propane torch followed by small stillson wrench might twist it free.

Could check with Z1 Enterprises for a new oil plug.

Good Fortune!

Sorry, don't know what a stillson wrench is.

Did 60 miles today. Took close note of how I use the clutch. I realized I only pulled it a little when switching gears. Now I'm making a conscious effort to full pull the lever each time I shift.

After installing full synthetic oil today the jumping tranny didn't improve. Still getting the jumping mostly in 2nd and 3rd. I am beginning to think I have either a bent fork or shift drum worn out. Regardless,I had a great ride today. Lots of bikes out today. Not bad for December.

just a thought.
all the kz's i have seen that would jump out of (typically 2 nd. gear,usually from banging gears doing wheelies.)gear had the dogs rounded off on the gears themselves. and the cure was to replace the gears or have some one re-machine the dogs.

leon

Yes, Leon, I am planning on replacing gears, drum and probably forks too. It all depends on what I find when I crack the case. Probably doing rings then too.

I looked up stillson wrench. Looks a lot like a pipe wrench.

I squeezed in another ride Monday before work. I'm getting more comfortable in the seat. Really starting to enjoy the bike. Rides are getting less about mechanical aspects and more about the enjoyment of riding something you worked long and hard to complete.
Looking in to participating in a toy run this Saturday. The cost is a new toy for the disadvantaged kids in the area. Last year, this ride drew over 3200 bikes. Bet I could find another kz rider or two in the pack.

I attended the Toy Ride yesterday. What fun!

I don't know the numbers yet but it was well attended. I met many nice folks and saw some amazing rides. The only disappointment was I was the only bobber there. I was hoping to find some like-minded enthusiasts. I did see three other older KZ bikes but they were all pretty much bone stock.

I did get a lot of compliments, though. At the staging area, I stood back and watched guys walking through the rows of shiny rides (mostly Harleys) and without fail, they would get to mine and stop, look, walk around, look, point, comment and smile. Kinda funny, in the midst of all that expensive chrome and bolt-on customization, a low-buck, stripped down, rattle can painted bobber got so much attention.

Even during the ride, which turned out to be as much an all-motorcycle parade through town, I got lots of people pointing and as I passed by, I could hear kids point and say, "I like that one!" Pretty cool.

Everyone who wanted to ride was asked to donate or bring a toy. They were collected and given to the Salvation Army to be distributed to thousands of kids in the area. I used an old book bag with a shoulder strap to carry a couple toys. One guy came on a Harley with a sidecar stuffed full of toys.

I will definitely be doing this ride again.

And, yes, that is a little stuffed Santa on the forks...

fivestring wrote: Sorry, don't know what a stillson wrench is.

Did 60 miles today. Took close note of how I use the clutch. I realized I only pulled it a little when switching gears. Now I'm making a conscious effort to full pull the lever each time I shift.

After installing full synthetic oil today the jumping tranny didn't improve. Still getting the jumping mostly in 2nd and 3rd. I am beginning to think I have either a bent fork or shift drum worn out. Regardless,I had a great ride today. Lots of bikes out today. Not bad for December.

Quit using the clutch when you upshift,only time you need to use it on one of these bikes is when taking off or down shifting.
Just let off the gas a little and tap the shifter

Merry Christmas to all my KZR buddies.

Got some new stuff for the project. A set of foamy grips, a canvas backpack to be strapped on the side for carrying stuff, and a set of new pods for the CB750 project.

And I used a gift card to get a motorcycle lift from Harbor Freight!

Pics to come....

glad you had a positive toy ride experience !
they are a good thing.

bike is lookin good!

leon

Got about 100 miles in today. Beautiful riding weather this weekend.

Got some update pictures. The only thing I want to do to this build yet is change out the square flood lights for round work lights in rubber mounts I got from Harbor Freight and put the 4-1 header and megaphone back on.



The backpack is a Christmas gift. It is cool because I can unstrap it and carry it with me if I have valuables in it.



My build buddy. She keeps the chickens out of the shop while I'm working.



I also picked up a couple more projects. An 81 and an 82 Yamaha xs650. They will both be bobbed and possibly stretched and def hardtailed.

The bike looks awesome, fivestring! Very clean and tastefully done!

How's the Honda 750 four project coming along?

Thanks Joe.

The Honda carbs are in pieces on the bench right now awaiting a dip in the new carb cleaner which is also sitting on the bench, and installation of the new kits, which are...umm...sitting on the bench. Time seems to be the item in short supply, especially with riding weather showing up in the middle of January.

I am tempted to rip into the 650's but am going to get the Honda on the road first.