1976 KZ900 Project

Thought I'd post something interesting for a switch. The Koni shocks that are on my LTD are now being advertised here because they are now Ikon suspension. Get it? Koni, Ikon? Mine are the 7610 and parts availability for these shocks is still vibrant which is key because my scrawny ass needs something a much lighter springwise. I will not be taking passengers at this point in time. Ikon operates out of Pennsylvania and that means quick shipping to Vermont. YMMV. If Restocycle is handling their product and they have a phone number I'll call them.

I tend to reward companies that don't deprecate their products and make them obsolete. I get it. Make a perfect product and you'll go out business but I see that that isn't necessarily always the case with this.

If you've not visited the Restocycle website it's worth a gander. I'd like to work there. Located in Kentucky that would get me out of the cold this winter. They also have, get this, a phone number, what a novel approach. I think I'll call them tomorrow and see why they like the Ikon shocks and suspension.

Look for Nils in the vendor section.
Steve

I will Steve, thanks.

I found these on CL last week for $400 and contacted the guy immediately. They had been listed for 18 days and I couldn't believe that i had missed them prior. I drove the 2 hours to pick them up and the guy was an avid biker and had a barn full of toys. BMWs, a Guzzi, a and a range of older Japanese sport/street bikes.

These are going to sit and wait for when the time is right to install them on one of these bikes whichever one becomes the swan because they damn sure are ugly ducklings at the moment.

It's great being back into the sport on all levels. I had put it aside for about 25 years after I got married because it's not a team sport and I needed to focus on business.

Speaking of work, breaktime is over.

Togoster wrote: They also have, get this, a phone number, what a novel approach. I think I'll call them tomorrow and see why they like the Ikon shocks and suspension.

I also looked for a contact number after I screwed up an order with Z1 last fall, RIGHT AFTER I clicked "place order". I noticed I had selected the wrong cam shims, and looked frantically for a phone number to call before the order went through, to no avail..

Although I do sympathize with the frustration of not having a phone number to call, almost every time my phone rings, I cringe at answering it.. considering at least half of my calls I get from my skilled trade ads, are either some google scammer or some kind of "deal" scam or someone wanting a FREE estimate (and personal visit) for their wish list of things they might do to their home someday.. maybe... if it's cheap enough = never hear from them again after spending 2-3 hours on a personal visit. I had to start charging for a service call to weed out the "tire kickers" from the actual >paying< customers. Paying customers don't mind since a service calls is nothing compared to doing an actual project.

I would imagine running a company like Z1 would become more of a free"technical help line" for clueless "non-customers".

This is my Old Kaw. It looks a lot like the pic you posted above. I like the clean look, but would also like to add some pin striping. The Kz1000 side emblem is a Z1 plastic reproduction.

Good points all. I’ve resigned to taking the blame for all mistakes. I have two items that were not as advertised from eBay and whereas I could have returned them I hung them on the wall in the barn as a reminder to be more careful. Still I like a phone number and if 2 places offer a similar service then I’ll choose the one with a phone number. Better yet it’s always nice when you can actually reach out and touch someone.

I’m fortunate that my work load is past clients and referrals. I’m also fortunate because they are second home owners and aren’t usually in my way. And yes, a service charge is the norm in the city so my clients being from mostly cities in New England wouldn’t think it affront. I don’t charge one because I’ll get the work, it’s not an issue.

I’m winding it down tho, I don’t have the verve for the industry anymore. It’s not so challenging anymore except for the aging body and the deteriorating eyesight.

I curse a lot these days.

Nope, I’m going to become a knight errant like Don Quixote.

Your bike looks great and I’ll be getting some repro side covers and a back fender. I like the clean look as well but realistically the motor should be gone through before getting crazy with the beautification end. At 130 psi per cyl it’s tired, like me.

This will serve as dry run, and with 2 similar bikes to do I’ll get very acquainted with them. The winters are long here and so that’ll be the time to redo them up pretty.

Now I just want to ride them.

Thanks for the reply, I should say that I don’t always agree with me either so anyone can always disagree or point out a different perspective and I’ll appreciate it.

Togoster wrote: Good points all. I’ve resigned to taking the blame for all mistakes. I have two items that were not as advertised from eBay and whereas I could have returned them I hung them on the wall in the barn as a reminder to be more careful. Still I like a phone number and if 2 places offer a similar service then I’ll choose the one with a phone number. Better yet it’s always nice when you can actually reach out and touch someone.

I’m fortunate that my work load is past clients and referrals. I’m also fortunate because they are second home owners and aren’t usually in my way. And yes, a service charge is the norm in the city so my clients being from mostly cities in New England wouldn’t think it affront. I don’t charge one because I’ll get the work, it’s not an issue.

I’m winding it down tho, I don’t have the verve for the industry anymore. It’s not so challenging anymore except for the aging body and the deteriorating eyesight.

I curse a lot these days.

Nope, I’m going to become a knight errant like Don Quixote.

Your bike looks great and I’ll be getting some repro side covers and a back fender. I like the clean look as well but realistically the motor should be gone through before getting crazy with the beautification end. At 130 psi per cyl it’s tired, like me.

This will serve as dry run, and with 2 similar bikes to do I’ll get very acquainted with them. The winters are long here and so that’ll be the time to redo them up pretty.

Now I just want to ride them.

Thanks for the reply, I should say that I don’t always agree with me either so anyone can always disagree or point out a different perspective and I’ll appreciate it.

I AGREE! In the STL area, it is free estimate almost every call. I can usually weed out the ones wanting me to show them what needs to be done, what parts are needed, then bid the job to the lowest lowball offer. I usually weed out the freebies / quotes / bids by requiring a call just to try and weed them out on the phone. A good bit of my work are repeats too, but the cold first time callers ALWAYS expect a free visit to explain things to them.. personally. Dealing with the public as a whole sucks.

130 PSI is certainly enough compression to make any motor run. I believe it is primo compression on a SBC, if memory serve me. Of course, a frame off may or may not include the engine overhaul too, but rings and valve seals / lapping it a good minimal build idea. Then SOME do the whole tamale, splitting the cases, and replacing every little part.
I buy a lot of stuff off of eBay, and ordered another set of kaw head gaskets 2 days ago. Although sending stuff back sucks, and takes forever, eBay will toss a bad seller in a hearbeat, if they screw you. Tis the nature of the beast.

My old kaw was sitting dead for at least 10 years before I rescued it. The pic doesn't do it's disrepair justice, and I was tempted to part it to fix my other Kz1000, until I decided to rescue it instead. It had 2 flats, all the locks punched, no air box and 2 flat tires. no freakin title and an Illinois license plate that expired in 2003. (among a plethora of other things wrong) I drug it home in January 2013. I went through the MO abandoned vehicle process and got it titled and licensed after I got it running.



Just a little tuneup action. I'm guessing the welder dude that did my frame might have been looking for work after this frame was built.

That’s what I’m thinking just do the top end. Crusty old valve seals. Had a little smoke when first started but it has subsided. Never had the 900 on the road but LTD runs great. Starts first kick usually and can take the choke off fast. The GPZ is a fun bike but it’s really frenetic and the 1000 pulls from down low. I’m only around 150 so I’m not that concerned , hell I even still fit into my 35 year old leather jacket and pants.

I found a six pin connector on an old loom I’m not using so I’ll slice and dice and solder it on there. It hasn’t moved since the mishap but it’s going back to the barn so I can it roadworthy. It needs tires, fork seals, battery, chain and sprockets, cha ching, side covers, rear master rebuild, caliper too, cha ching, rear fender and likely more things as well. It’ll suck up a grand and have its hand out for more. Maybe that’s why they are referred to in the female gender.But at that point at least I’ll be riding her. (And I ain’t even going there, lol)

The LTD can now be driven back the barn with the wiring issue of the 6 pin connector resolved and the missing headlight bracket installed.

Next up will be the front end, New wheel bearings, fork seals, tapered head bearings and hopefully a solution for the turn signals. I need to set achievable goals and balance them with my working life which provides the funding for the project and allow a bit of latitude to work around issues such as a failed starter in my backhoe yesterday. That must of course be fixed first but the Kohler vtwin starter I was able to order through O'Reilly auto parts and they have it there now waiting for me. Now that's service! And if I have a problem then I can head back there and figure out a remedy.

This starter was only 2 years old and ordered online. Many products today that are too cheap shouldn't even be allowed to be made. They are a waste of the raw materials and the energy to produce them not to mention the slow boat ride they take on the high seas. But it's not just a price point issue because if you look online you'll see what looks like the very same piece for 3 times as much or more in some cases and I'm sure that people are out there that purchase the more expensive item confident that it will serve them better.

Muddling through the ratings and reviews is mind numbing and at the end of the day you have to ask yourself one question -- Do you feel lucky? I suppose the ratings system works eventually but there is so much slack in the process.

It's really why this website is so superior a place to gain confidence in what you buying, doing, contemplating...etc, etc. With that in mind and because I'll invariably be saving money on my projects I can include in my budget a portion to donate to the site and feel happy about it.

You guys amaze me!

“A study of the art of motorcycle maintenance is really a miniature study of the art of rationality itself.” -Robert Persig

I couldn't agree more.

Managed to get out today for a ride and to see about some saddlebags that were listed on CL. I bought them for the right price of $25. Now to do some shopping. I’m in the historic Deerfield area of Mass and this area is just steeped in history of the time before this was a country.

The seller has a Eurospec R100 and here are the bags on the Geep.

Now, I can go get supplies for the other bikes by bike...the way nature intended

What, pray tell, is the significance of a gold star? Gold stars are good right?

I'll scan the adverts for a tank bag now. Another cool thing that I had for my BMW was a leather tank cover and it had the cutout for the logo.

I am going to look through the posts and see if there was a tool kit thread and if not then expect one soon because it's important. I would think everyone would have some great suggestions here by virtue of all the experience that this site encompasses. I want to start putting a good road took kit together so as to be able to wrench or MacGyver my way out of a jamb.

Can't help it, it's the Boy Scout in me