New Member '79 KZ1000E-ST project....

I got my uncles old KZ. Its a Canadian spec bike.
He bought it new in '79. Due to knee and back problems hasn't been ridden much since '92. Bike hadn't been started since '02 when I drug it home.
I pulled the carbs. They were gummed up real bad. I've got them cleaned awaiting parts.
I flushed the tank with soap and water a couple of times, tried the handful of nuts and water, and acid washed the tank with Muratic acid. Tank is going to need to be lined (for now an inline will have to due until I see if it will run correctly). Any suggestions on a system to line it with?
I changed the brake fluid.
Changed the oil. Will do again after Its been run for a few minutes. Do you have to take the exhaust off all these bikes to change the filter?
Needs coils and wires (again will wait till I see if everything internally works) Are the Accel coils and wires a good choice?
Oiled the cables and adjusted the clutch. Clutch might be stuck? I can spin the back wheel in neutral but when I drop it in gear it doesn't turn with the clutch in or out. Is it possible it will free up with time after I get it running again?


Apparently I'm rambling... Too many questions. Hope some of you guys can give me some good advice. I plan on keeping the bike as close to stock as possible, for now anyways.

Did you polish those babies? Or were they like that. They look great.

I polished them, they were mostly brown when I started. (Mothers alum polish works wonders) I've been bored waiting for parts. The bikes been covered in a shed in salt air since 2002. I spent quite a few hours polishing the alum and chrome back up. My uncle coated everything with baby oil when he put it away (I'd never heard of doing that) It saved it quite a bit. It was getting to the point though that another year or two it would have been real rough. The chrome was starting to pit, and the alum was oxidizing a fair bit.

Wow good looking bike. I have a 79 ST as well, awesome bikes. Mine's all hacked up though....

DesertKZ...
What are they like to ride? I've never driven one. I'm hesitant to spend much money on it till I get to put a couple hundred miles on it and see if I like it.

Here is picture taken off a picture of what it looked like in the '80's when my Uncle had it in a show.

The bike will have nice power and the shaft drive rolls it on really smooth. Like I said I've removed a ton of weight but I'm impressed that a 34 year old bike rides and brakes so good. You're going to love it.

Just by pulling the fairings, bags, trunk and associated bracketry (free) will really wake that bike up. You can re-use the stock headlight and housing if you pick up a set of $10 fork brackets off ebay. Get those carbs cleaned thoroughly, lube your cables and check your valves and you'll be all set!

I expect I'll leave the fairings and luggage on it. The original fork brackets for the headlight are still there. The signals are integrated into the bodywork. We get a lot of wind and fog here on the bay of Fundy and I believe the frame mounted fairing will come in handy, its also got the original vetter radio/speaker box/console if I decide to put it back on.
I'm not really looking for speed, just a nice comfortable cruiser.

Are shims still avalible for the valves? I'm waiting for my manual so I can check the valve clearance. Are there any links to a service manual on-line that you've found.

Shims are available, try a local bike shop, that's where I get mine (used). Otherwise you may be able to swap some around to get to where you need to be. There are online manuals, I used to have a link to one but can't seem to find it now. Check wgcarbs.com, register and you can probably download one there. That site is an incredible help.

Nice looking bike BTW, I wouldn't molest it either.

Pictures of Bike. First time in the sunlight in 11 years.

Stay with the stock replacement coils from Z1 ENTERPRISES.
Replace the seat with a stock seat,just looking at that king /queen seat makes my back hurt.
I'm only 5'7' and am most comfortable sitting further back, and that's with all the controls in the stock position.

Nebr_Rex wrote: Stay with the stock replacement coils from Z1 ENTERPRISES.
Replace the seat with a stock seat,just looking at that king /queen seat makes my back hurt.
I'm only 5'7' and am most comfortable sitting further back, and that's with all the controls in the stock position.

The stock replacement coils say they are for 73-78's with point system ignition.

I plan on keeping the bike all original as it was picked up from the dealer. The fairing bags seat etc were all dealer installed options before purchase. My uncle is 6'2" and I'm 6' and the seat and controls seem fine to me, very comfortable bike to ride, IMO.