My first ride on the KZ1000st project

I finally got a chance to ride my project bike for the first time. the last time I rode a KZ was my Z1R 25 years ago.
I only rode it about 5 miles but everything worked perfectly!
My Z1R was stock and my Shaftie has a Wiseco 1045 and harmon 380 cams.
The Shaftie seems to be geared a little taller (from what I can remember). The front brake is stronger, the engine smoother, it has more low end grunt and the HP curve is much more linear.
The Z1r had a nice 7000 rpm rush of power, where the ST just keeps pulling harder as the revs climb. Overall the ST feels like a more solid bike, it feels like a newer bike than my Z1r did when it was only 8 yrs old. Although I've been working on the ST for almost a year and have done a ton of work to it, I'm a bit surprised at how well it worked. If I were to be totally picky, I would say -there is still a bit of air in the front brake or the pads need to break in and I don't care for the handlebars that are on it right now, they are a bit wide and low for my taste.
Other than that, it was a great day! Awesome feeling to go for a successful Rip down the road after so many hours of resto. couldn't be happier!!!!

Greatlooking bike!

She looks factory fresh RoadFlyer. Glad to finally see it with the seat installed. Enjoy the new ride.

Nice to see one not getting cut up for a change.
Be carefully in the corners.
A little to much throttle modulation on rough pavement can cause the shaft drive to provide much excitement.
With the stock bars (about twice the rise of yours) my ST is the most comfortable bike I own.

Congratulations..Great Job..beautiful bike !!

Looks good man and good write up!

I have the same problem with my gpz. The brakes across the board seem week, the rear isn't as bad as the front. I bled the front 4 times. Overall they feel vintage. Now when I bought my KZ they were absolutely ass. I couldn't believe the previous owner drove it that way.

KZJOE900 wrote: She looks factory fresh RoadFlyer. Glad to finally see it with the seat installed. Enjoy the new ride.

Thanks, the seat was a job in itself. Sandblast, weld cracks, gusset weak area's. I even had to make the buckles for the strap from scratch out of Stainless.

Nebr_Rex wrote: Nice to see one not getting cut up for a change.
Be carefully in the corners.
A little to much throttle modulation on rough pavement can cause the shaft drive to provide much excitement.
With the stock bars (about twice the rise of yours) my ST is the most comfortable bike I own.

I'm going to look for some stock bars. I didn't notice any shaft jacking when I rode it. I have some fresh Mulholland shocks on the back, I'll be careful though, Thank you.

Hollywoodmx wrote: Looks good man and good write up!

I have the same problem with my gpz. The brakes across the board seem week, the rear isn't as bad as the front. I bled the front 4 times. Overall they feel vintage. Now when I bought my KZ they were absolutely ass. I couldn't believe the previous owner drove it that way.

The rear brake is OK, it feels exactly like my old Z1r. The front brake is quite a bit stronger, the first time I grabbed it I grabbed too much! It works very well, the lever is just not as firm as it should be. I've bled it a lot and can't believe there could still be air in it, maybe the pads just need to seat in. I reused the old pads after cleaning and painting the backing plates, no way did I get them back in the original locations.

Hollywoodmx wrote: Looks good man and good write up!

I have the same problem with my gpz. The brakes across the board seem week, the rear isn't as bad as the front. I bled the front 4 times. Overall they feel vintage. Now when I bought my KZ they were absolutely ass. I couldn't believe the previous owner drove it that way.

I have some EBC HH brake pads that were just too much on my 06 Roadstar ( I was afraid I'd lock the front wheel in a panic stop) Maybe next winter I'll cut them up and make them fit the KZ calipers.

Nice bike!!

All that hard work finally paying off

Reminds me of Spring last year with my bike only yours is a lot prettier.
Great job !

JD