new to me 1978 KZ 1000

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07 Nov 2023 08:31 #891407 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
Lots of thoughts on the fork. A cursory look it seams “ok”, not sure I’d be comfortable with “ok” there, the additional steel frame under and along with the fender is what stabilizes the front forks, AKA “fork brace”. If you added a fork brace you would be good. You could try any of the epoxy “weld” stuff to build it back up. Get a machine shop locally that repairs aluminum heads and blocks, they could build up the missing aluminum and you tap and reshape. Or the obvious, get a set, rebuild them, install and you’re good for years. My thoughts!

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
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07 Nov 2023 14:19 #891428 by Injected
Replied by Injected on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
I would fix that broken off fork thread boss, like Mikaw said there are a lot of twisting forces going thru those bolts and you may end up with some sloppy handing.

That is a $40-50 weld repair job (for one boss) in Canada (I am from Ontario) if your doing the post weld clean up and drill/tap. Not sure how much it would run if you had somebody do the machining.

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07 Nov 2023 19:53 #891444 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
Thanks guys.
Mikaw.   I guess I never thought of the fender acting as a fork brace. But it makes sense!
Would something like JB Weld work in this instance?  Will it stick to aluminum!? I've used it on steel, with good results. 
I guess just build it up, and drill and tap like welding!

Injected.    Ya sloppy handling or worse, the fender drops and has a meeting with a rotating tire!!
I got a pretty decent machine shop here in town. I'm in the frozen north as well. ( Alberta)
The drill/tap thingy I can handle. Welding aluminum, I'm better off using Gum.
 

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07 Nov 2023 20:20 #891445 by Injected
Replied by Injected on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
I just thought I would mention what I thought it would cost to repair that issue in case you don't have a local motorcycle salvage yard that would have replacement legs.
I am not sure if it would cause you any issue to leave it but why take a chance on it if you identified the problem.
I am always more afraid of stuff I can't see that needs fixing before it bites me in the ass :)

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07 Nov 2023 20:30 #891446 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000

I just thought I would mention what I thought it would cost to repair that issue in case you don't have a local motorcycle salvage yard that would have replacement legs.
I am not sure if it would cause you any issue to leave it but why take a chance on it if you identified the problem.
I am always more afraid of stuff I can't see that needs fixing before it bites me in the ass :)

Yup I totally agree. If I don't do something with it, I'll be looking down at the front wheel/fender for the first 1000 miles.
I could have answered my own question, take the bolt out and measure the depth! But it was easier to ask I guess lol.
I've got a salvage yard about 2 hrs. away. I haven't wondered their yard yet.
 

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07 Nov 2023 20:37 #891447 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000

Back pressure? Do you have a solid hard peddle? If not it’s more likely a bleed/balance return port that is blocked. It a very,very,very tiny hole dead center under the large side bolt. Aslo need the holes in the end of the piston clear.

 

Pretty sure the tiny hole in the MC  was open. I sprayed some brake cleaner through it to be sure.
But 2 of 3 holes in the piston were plugged.  That's one thing I never checked while cleaning!
Thanks
 

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08 Nov 2023 08:08 #891466 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000

Thanks guys.
Mikaw.   I guess I never thought of the fender acting as a fork brace. But it makes sense!
Would something like JB Weld work in this instance?  Will it stick to aluminum!? I've used it on steel, with good results. 
I guess just build it up, and drill and tap like welding!

Injected.    Ya sloppy handling or worse, the fender drops and has a meeting with a rotating tire!!
I got a pretty decent machine shop here in town. I'm in the frozen north as well. ( Alberta)
The drill/tap thingy I can handle. Welding aluminum, I'm better off using Gum.

 
I’m sorry I can’t advise on these statements. I have never touched JBWeld. I think a fork brace might be your easiest fix. As an example  www.fastfromthepast.com/fork-braces/kawasaki . A deeper search might reveal more options.

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58

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21 Nov 2023 20:45 #891939 by sf4t7
Replied by sf4t7 on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
On the fork bosses - do it right and get the aluminum welded and then drill + tap new holes, it's a safety issue.  But I'm also wondering what made that damage ?  If it was some kind of impact, are the forks still straight ?


Scotty

1974 Z1A
1015
welded Z1 crank
Andrews 1X Cams
Delkevic 4 into 1
Superbike bars
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22 Nov 2023 08:55 #891952 by z1kzonly
Replied by z1kzonly on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
Hey! glad I looked at this post! 
Thanks Matt Mikaw! I am in middle of the master cyl. rebuild. 1st time for the 77-80 style rear! I never knew about that tiny hole. I just looked at mine! Fresh glass beaded, washed in hot soapy water! Getting ready for the CERAKOTE! And mine was plugged!!!  Well I'll be! This old guy is always learning! 
Great tip!
Thanks!
And for that fork leg! they are all over eBay, Don't forget to look up KZ650's even KZ750 2 cylinders. Those legs are all the same. Most of them.
Over the years! I must have scrapped 12-15 of those legs with broken lugs.

Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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22 Nov 2023 09:48 #891953 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000

On the fork bosses - do it right and get the aluminum welded and then drill + tap new holes, it's a safety issue.  But I'm also wondering what made that damage ?  If it was some kind of impact, are the forks still straight ?

On the JB Weld thingy, I know better!  My Cheap B%$ch  side was showing through.
The forks are straight and show no damage. What I want to say. The friend I got the bike from was a heavy duty mechanic, He may have made it "Mechanic tight"!
But then again, you'd think it would tear out the threads first!?
I need to do seals and polishing. So I'll round it to the Machine shop down the street, and see how much it'll cost. Or I'll do as z1kzonly suggested and find a replacement.

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22 Nov 2023 09:53 #891954 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000

And for that fork leg! they are all over eBay, Don't forget to look up KZ650's even KZ750 2 cylinders. Those legs are all the same. Most of them.
Over the years! I must have scrapped 12-15 of those legs with broken lugs.

Any idea why the lugs were broken out!?
Or is it one of those " we'll give another 1/4 turn,  don't want that coming loose" sorta things!?

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22 Nov 2023 10:23 #891955 by Treetall
Replied by Treetall on topic new to me 1978 KZ 1000
Well, I got the brakes working perfectly ( Thanks for the tip Mikaw).
Had some nice weather, so I took er for a rip around the block a couple times.
She idled fine. But as soon as gave er a little gas, she'd bog. Had to keep feathering the gas to get the rpms up.
I know the main jet was up sized from stock for the air pods. But I can't remember if the pilot jet was increased. I thought I wrote it down but......
I didn't have it running long enough, to get it to operating temp. So pulling the plugs didn't tell me much.
Am I right in my thinking? I started with 1 1/4 turns on the pilot screws, and went up to 2 turns. But that didn't fix it.
The carbs were taken apart and thoroughly cleaned. There shouldn't be anything clogged.
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