Saving a '81 KZ750-E

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

18 Jan 2025 11:39
#908015
I understand there are a lot of variables, but cordless power tool batteries are going thermal more and more often.  The building inspector told me there were two other fires of this nature in our valley, but both occurred in attached garages.  Two or three months ago, at the Minden/Tahoe airport, two hangers burned from a power tool lithium battery left on a charger.  Luckily there were no aircraft in those hangers at the time of the fire.  The East Fork Fire Protection chief came to my shop after the fire, and mentioned to me they are seeing lithium tool battery fires more and more often.

I will always have my cell phone, which has a lithium battery.  But the quantity is a lot less than a power tool battery. The amount of lithium makes a difference in the severity of a fire. Yes, I am a bit jaded due to personal experience.  But from what I am hearing from local professionals, in the small valley we live in, having three more incidences in the space of three or four months is not just random coincidences.  It is a growing trend with only one commonality.  This is not alarmism.  It is just letting all I can to know and understand the potential dangers involved, and please, please, take the necessary precautions.
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'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: sf4t7, Mikaw, howardhb, Wookie58

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

29 Jan 2025 07:36
#908419
For shop 2.0 I am having a concrete coating put down.  A bit expensive, but I wanted to get rid of the ugly burn stains.  It's the last bit of ugly that remains.  So far they have done the grinding and sealing.  I am expecting them here today to start laying the color down.

 
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'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: sf4t7, Wookie58

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

30 Jan 2025 21:27
#908463
The floor coating went down today, and I have to say that I am more than pleased with how it came out!  Not only did it get rid of the burn stains, but it looks great to boot!  I will need to take steps about walking in with wet shoes.  It is a gloss finish without speckles of traction pellets.  The reason I went this direction was have you ever dropped a small screw or washer?  My old eyes will spot it in an instant without those speckles.  And the color choice is a nod to my baja that was destroyed in the fire.  Win, win, in my opinion.  Was it cheap? Absolutely not.  But at this stage in life, you can't take it with you.

Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: sf4t7, Wookie58

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  • riturbo
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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

31 Jan 2025 14:46
#908492
Wow Looking good.
Gpz 750 turbo The one I ride
Gpz 750 turbo Not finished
Gpz 750 turbo Not started
Gpz 550 1981
Gpz 550 1983
Bunch of other junk

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

31 Jan 2025 19:51 - 31 Jan 2025 19:52
#908499
So today I found the local Harbor freight was having a Inside Track Club member sale, one day only, for 20% off of any one item.  Just what I was waiting for!  I have a new motorcycle lift ready to put in Shop 2.0 when the final inspection happens next week.  The Green Monster blew a right crank seal during break in. so now I have the last piece of equipment I need to remove the motor and split the cases.  I saved $110 waiting for the right sale.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
Last edit: 31 Jan 2025 19:52 by Skidmark.
The following user(s) said Thank You: riturbo, sf4t7, Wookie58

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

02 Feb 2025 16:20
#908562
With the help of a neighbor, we were able to get the wood burning stove and interior chimney installed today.  Shop 2.0 only needs the trim on the inside of the human door and we are ready for final inspection by the county.  It has literally been the longest ten months of my life.  The move in will be slow since I seriously tweaked my back a few days ago.  But we are finally down to the home stretch!

 

 
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'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, sf4t7, Scirocco, calum, Wookie58

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

07 Feb 2025 20:24
#908760
Shop 2.0 passed the final inspection by the county today!  I can now start the move in.  The first thing I did is hang a banner that came from my grandfather's Studebaker dealership.  It's canvas, with brass eyelets, and in remarkable shape for being 83 years old.  Soon the new bike lift will be moved in, and the Green Monster put on it. It will be the first motorcycle project in the new shop.  The right crank seal let go after 500+ miles during break in.  It turns out I didn't get it seated properly in the case grooves.  A bit of a bummer as the case halves need to be split, and the crankshaft removed in order to replace it.

    
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, MFP-Joe, sf4t7, Scirocco, calum, Wookie58, Kelly E

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

08 Feb 2025 06:35
#908773
Love the banner! My first car was a 1952 Commander Starlight Coupe.

Oh, the shop is nice, too 
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/11-projects/620336-anoth...uild-thread?start=24

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

10 Feb 2025 10:52
#908870
The first project in the new shop is a truck body swap.  I am putting a '52 Studebaker truck body on a '95 Dodge Dakota chassis.  It will get a GM Performance LS3 drivetrain.  This will be my hot rod.  The first vehicle I owned was a '52 Studebaker pick up.  I had this truck parked next to the shop when the building burned, so the patina got ruined all down the driver's side.  I still plan on using it, but now it won't get the satin clear coat I was planning.  The paint is too damaged.  So I will leave it as is, and it will have a rat rod feel to it.

 
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: sf4t7

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

Yesterday 13:29
#909043
I guess this image is as good of an example of being back in business as any!!

 
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, sf4t7, Scirocco

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Re: Saving a '81 KZ750-E

Yesterday 13:34
#909044
The Green Monster will be a Spring project.  I still don't have a work bench or a weld table.  I still have a lot of moving in to do before any project gets going, but it sure is a nice feeling having my happy place back!!     I am also very thankful this one was in the front attached garage when the fire happened.  If it had been in the shop at the time, it would have made it much harder to take.
Retired gearhead
'81 KZ-750 E2
'87 Suzuki Savage 650 Street Tracker (lost in the shop fire)
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, sf4t7

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