'76 KZ900 (ZRX1200R) Build

If those carbs are complete and not trashed, I'd say you got a screaming good deal. I have seen trashy sets on eBay for twice that much.

They look like they are in good shape.  The seller had a number of good photos from every angle and with the bowls off as well.  They have 100% Positive feedback and are a motorcycle shop out of Maryville, TN.  So I think I got a good deal.  Every other VM29 I could find was $1100 +.

Cory

So not many updates, alot of work, but not many updates.  So where we left off is I realized I had a wrong set of carbs that I purchased years ago.  VM26SS's instead of the VM28SS's.  So I ended up finding a good deal (well see when they finally get here!) of VM29 Smoothbores.  So waiting on them....

Then it was time to turn to the final things I could do:

- Pull the masters and calipers and rebuild them.
- Clean up and polish the rear wheel components and swing arm.
- Learn how to Nickel plate parts.

So the masters are going pretty well.  They were low mile take offs and the seals were in excellent condition, but still rebuilt them.

I started and broke out the bench polisher and microfibers and polished the RH rearset and bolted on the freshly rebuilt master.

The calipers I have torn apart, but wanted a special tool to remove the pistons, so I am waiting on the tool to arrive, then I'll pull the pistons and begin glass beading them before I can start to powder coat them.

Cory

So then an attemping to Nickel plate fasteners, brackets, etc that are not SS or polished alumium.  I had a bunch of light corrosion from when I trailered the bikes from Minnesota to South Carolina and we got caught for a couple of days in a blizzard and ice storm on salted roads.  

I cleaned them right way when we got there, but some was still hiding since I did not blow the bike apart completely.  So I began by making Nickel acetate using distilled vinegar, salt, and pure Nickel anode/cathode.  I made some leads and some copper holders and began the process.  Took some getting use to, and I am getting better at it, but far from where I want to be, but parts came out nice enough.

Cory

Then last thing to do, was removing the old chain guard brackets that I have been meaning to before repolishing the swing arm.  They have cause some minor scratches in my rear wheel and I am done with it...  I liked how it came out on my ZRX with the DAEG, so some careful cutting, filing, and sanding, and they came off.

Well that is all for now....

Cory

Cory, did you have to modify anything on the frame or swingarm to install the shocks? I too have a ZRX swap going on. Thanks for any info

Coming along nicely.

Yes I did.  I came up with a bolt in swing arm pivot shaft and trimmed the RH side of the swing arm tube narrower by about 1/8”.  My shaft incorporated a step in it to replace the RH ‘top hat’ spacer.

Then to keep the geometry similar to a ZRX since I would be familar with spring rates, shock
lengths, etc… I ended up coping a couple of universal shock mounts from Dime City cycles and made a jig to locate them where they needed to be off the original upper shock mounts and welded them in.  It is all documented with pictures in the first like 5 pages.

Cory

Ok I haven’t typed up the recent update, but need some advice. I got my VM29 Smoothbores and cleaning/rebuilding them. In my process I have cleaned each body and the rack bracket. Given the age, though they are spic and span, they are not like shiney cast aluminum. So I am trying a VHT Engine paint that is a flat/satin ‘Cast Aluminum’ paint. So I took the rack and gave it some light coats and thinking about doing the same to the carb bodies? What say ye?



Cory

Painted bodies won't look good for long ..
Better off just leaving them with a clean natural alloy finish.

I understand that is a risk, even with this being highly fuel resistant paint.  That is what has been stopping me from just doing it.  The bracket was something I knew would be a safer bet just to see how it would look.

Thanks for the feedback.

Cory

So I blasted all the caliper and carb tops and spent time getting reaquainted with powder coating. Old powder and plenty of work later, I have all the calipers done. One had a screw up, so I cleaned up the bad spots and reapplied. Still not as good as the other side….I really don’t want to start over again blasting a half a caliper but thinking I may be….

 
 

Cory