1979 KZ1000 A3A MKII Resurrection

Originally posted comments regarding this project in my first "Howdy" thread.  Here's a picture of the beginning. 


Just finished up painting the engine cases. Some pics..


After cleaning and clearing threaded holes.



 
Rest of frame awaiting attention....
 
Found this set on Ebay for a very reasonable price!

Hope to be posting some progress as I trudge along.

That's going to look nice!!

Once the chassis catches up with the bodywork and motor it will look great.

Update!!  Things have been a bit lively on the "other Life" front so finally getting back to posting a few items. As mentioned elsewhere, waiting on two OEM front discs that I purchased on ebay.  Once in hand will send to Todd at TrueDisk LLC for resurfacing.  Bottom end of engine is intact. Had to acquire new (for me) engine covers.  Except for the Dyno cover.  Was able to 'restore' it after having the pitted chrome removed by a local shop.  I decided to go with lightly polished covers from earlier models.  The original dyno cover is the one with the black background and "Kawasaki" coming through.  Otherwise, I was looking at trying to find a brand new one.  This one came out okay for an old gal undergoing a moderate face-lift. 

Moving on to the chassis items. Going to leave the top end, clutch, and dyno off until block is in the frame and the rolling chassis is on the lift.  My days of lifting an entire KZ1000 engine into the chassis on its center stand, are over!  Should be able to manage with only the lower end.  Other option may be laying the engine block on its side and placing the frame over it; then bringing the whole piece upright for rest of the work.  That worlked with my Norton project....

  

Got 2 front rotors off ebay. 4.97mm and 4.92mm left on them. Just shipped them to Tom at TrueDiskLLC I Michigan for refacing.  Pretty sure I lucked out. Thanks to you all for the feedback and suggestions.  
 
truedisk.net/

It certainly has been a while since I provided any updates.  I will try to keep them in order of progress and give credit to all the folks who've helped out. 
August and September 2024; had the frame and swingarm powder coated at Superior Powder Coating in North Sacramento, CA.  Chris does an outstanding job and has helped me out on other projects (Norton, daughter's car luggage rack).  Always straightforward with the estimates and reasonable, fast with the turn-around.  Prior to handing off the frame, I was able to carefully remove the VIN label, which will be reaffixed once the frame is back in the garage.  Unfortunately, the label has been misplaced at the moment.....
      As you may notice, the PO chose to have the fork brace welded to the front fender and then repainted the whole thing.  The paint was flaking off the chrome base so I decided to powder coat the entire assembly.  More on that later.
Swingarm turned out very nice!  

October 7, 2024  Finally managed to get the frame onto the work bench. Please disregard the horrendous mess!!!  I'm doing the best I can while attempting to handle all the other "Honey-do's"

Instruments 
These pictures were taken on 10-8-2024.  I originally ordered a set of aftermarket instruments (Taiwan repro) which appeared to be fine in the photos.  Upon receiving them realized they would not mount to the oem bracket because the mounting posts were too close to the dimple in the back plate of the speedo.  I ended up returning them and sending my originals to be refurbished.  A bit more expensive but fantastic results!
    Aftermarket vs stock
    Originals after being reworked by Z-Resto Gauge Restoration.  Great work!!!   
Z-Resto
4522 Ryan Road
Conley, GA  30288
USA
zresto.com
email - 76kz900@bellsouth.net

Time warp to late October 2024.  Finished installing the center stand and swing arm with new Progressive shock absorbers.  Put the old rear tire (still mounted onto the wheel) so I could have some weight n the rear and keep the front in the air while I assembled the forks. Got a bit stalled at this point as I decided to place the engine (lower assembly) in the frame before proceeding on the front end.  Basically, took advantage of a friend's offer to help and installed in less than 30 minutes from the engine stand to the frame.  NO dings on the powder!!  December 9, 2024.

          Front Forks.
I'd planned to reuse/polish the original lower tubes.  Upon disassembly, I discovered the fender bolt flanges on one were stripped out and on the other, the casting around the hole had cracked.  Found two replacements on e-bay and polished them up.  Assembled them with new upper fork tubes and race-tech cartridge emulators.  Before / After polishing.

About that front fender assembly......  Taking another look at the brace welded to the fender, I realized the width of the assembly was about 4mm larger that stock - without a brace.  I believe this was why the previous outer tubes were buggered.  I obtained a piloted fly-cutter and managed to 'machine' off around each bolt hole on the new outer tubes.  I did end up having to place a couple of shims to make everything proper but the fender/brace fit nicely!