KZ650 Sleeper Build (KZ1000 engine transplant)

Its not that I could not get anybody to help me, its just that I like to be able to do things on my own and not have to rely on help. When you have to ask for help your on some ones free time which always bothers me.

When I lifted the drag bike frame/engine off the same cart I put my weight belt on and had a tie down strap draped behind my neck so the weight would not roll forward. Lifted it up and off the cart a few inches, stepped back and squatted down setting it on a milk carton. It was not easy but it did not hurt me either. Thinking back that was kind of risky in several different ways.


 

I figured out the frame/engine weighs closer to 230 LBS instead of 250 LBS the way it is assembled. I screwed two 3/8" screw eyes into a garage ceiling joist next to each other so that should be able to lift that kind of load. 

Just happened onto your thread.  Great documentation of your efforts, not to mention some fantastic tips along the way. Will follow to conclusion.  When I was a parts manager in southern California from 1979 - 1982, I dreamt of putting a 1000 in a 650 frame. Looking forward to seeing your final project.

OOF!!  There's a trigger memory right there!  

Over the years I have ridden several Z1's but never owned one, came close once but did not go for it. It was always physically tough for me riding one being on the shorter side. Always on my tip toes, once you get going its OK but never comfortable for me. I thought about lowering the suspension but that would have taken a drop of at least 2" on both ends.

KZ650's fit me better but still need to be lowered by about 1". They are lighter so they are easier to handle weight wise.

Building this bike gives me the big engine torque that I like in the small bike package. The torque a 1200 can output is more than a worked on 650/750 can make in HP.

Big torque is great and the engine package I put together is just on the borderline of what you can run on the street reliably.


 

Had some time this morning so sanded and hand polished some engine covers. If you go to the first page you can see what I started off with.



I only sand up to 600 grit and don't use a buffing wheel, just some Mothers paste applied with a rag. I am not into the mirrored finish look, it does not make it any faster

The stator cover is coming along, this is at 180 grit but looking way better than what it was.



I need to remove the points housing from the engine, I did not realize that came stock as a polished piece.


 

Interesting place for road rash usually on the bottom. 

INJECTED, do you know any of the guys over at Hindle exhaust systems? I knew Lang before he started the business. He has the last road race bike I built back in 78-79.

Vinsky wrote:

INJECTED, do you know any of the guys over at Hindle exhaust systems? I knew Lang before he started the business. He has the last road race bike I built back in 78-79.
 

No. unfortunately I have never met Lang or been to his shop. He is a local legend but you never see him at area motorcycle events.
I know more drag race guys than road race guys, the two groups are pretty separate with no overlap it seems.
They are located about 3 hrs East of my place.

Dropped the engine/frame off the work cart today.







Once it was on the milk carton I used some ratchet straps to hold the frame firm to the carton. I slid the carton across the floor to where I can work on it and still park a car in front of it.

That little chain hoist was a life saver and worked flawlessly, don't know why I did not get one sooner.

Tomorrow I will see about swapping out the old tires for new, then I can install the fork and swing arm so the wheels can go on. Once I get the center stand installed I can get rid of the milk carton. The milk carton may look hokey but its the perfect height to install the wheels on the frame.



 

That has worked a treat (a lot quicker and cheaper than the rig I've been putting together  )

Wookie58 wrote:

That has worked a treat (a lot quicker and cheaper than the rig I've been putting together 

)
 

Yes it did work out great for me, but it is different from what I saw on your project thread. Taking the engine out of the frame from the side is more complicated.