1976 Kawasaki KZ900LTD restoration

Hey guys, I got a KZ900 that has been sitting in the same spot for a little over 20 years. I have been thinking what I need to do to restore it fully back to good condition. What do you guys think I should do to restore it? I will post pictures as soon as possible, thank you for your help. The bike is quite unique, it has the turbo kit set up on it, racing motor, racing cams, Mr Turbo pipes, and other things i must have forgotten. Help me out? I will post pictures as soon as possible

pictures?

KB, A word of caution..Turbo bikes were/are high maint. and "restoration" is'nt the term I'd use for returning to use. It takes deep pockets to simply maintain/use one. A "built" turbo usually runs low comp. pistons,ringed cyls, unique cams etc. should It be returned to life? most definity!!! As a turbo? you must decide. do some research. just my 2c.G

Got any Pics? Another turbo project, Awsome

I will try to get pictures up as soon as possible guys, so your saying it will be easier to get it running again since it has the turbo in it?

post a picture so we can get a better idea what youre up against. ive got a soft spot for turbos myself! :laugh:

oh and I forgot that my KZ is bored out to a thousand something. since it's bored out, would that change any plans for me to get it running again?

I can't comment on the 'extra cc's/impact on getting it running' but I will say this.

I received a 100% free kz1000 and got it back on the road. This bike was 100% complete, only complaint is a few non-stock engine covers which I'm returning to stock.
This bike has a dark red, non-pro paint job that passes but it needs the stock colors again since it's a 100% stock bike.

I'm already down $$ as follows on this 'free' bike:

INVESTMENT SO FAR
- cargo van rental to get it home + gas = $80
- $75 for new battery
- $14 for 4 new spark plugs, NGK B8ES
- $58 for 4 carb rebuild kits
- $42 for used factory shop manual (ebay)
- $30 for new #22.5 pilot and new #120 main jets (has a 4-into-1 Kerker and owner never rejetted so I had to)
- $20 for new oil filter and 4 quarts of 10w-40 oil
- $2 for brass washer for oil filter bolt (when I changed the oil filter the stock washer wasn't there)
- $40 for used 1978 kz650 front brake parts (master cylinder, lever) -- the mstr cyl on my kz1000 had been sitting so long ('only' 12 years, not even 20) the original master cyl piston etc. was shot, luckily the '78 kz650 used same part and I got a working one dirt cheap
- $50 for new seat cover
- $26 for carb o-rings (8 for the 4 drain plugs and 4 emulsion tubes, 8 for the pilot adjustment)
- $51 for right side stock points cover, left side stock engine cover, starter motor chrome cover


$488 so far for this "free" 1978 kz1000 and I still need to have it stock-painted-and-decaled ($500 easy) and replace the header, after 12 years of sitting they're real thin from internal rust and one header has a huge hole.

I'll be into this 'free' bike $1500 and you know what, a 1978 kz1000 A2 with 28,000 miles won't sell for much more than that. I went into this thinking "Wow, this bike, hey it's all there, how much can it cost to put it right..."

Word of caution. I started with a complete bike and look at the $$ outlay -- crikeys.

Now, if you're Nicolas Cage and love throwing money around, well -- you have a rare turbo, go for it, I'm just a poor schmoe with a $1500 'free' kz1000. :blink:

newOld_kz1000 wrote:

I can't comment on the 'extra cc's/impact on getting it running' but I will say this.

I received a 100% free kz1000 and got it back on the road. This bike was 100% complete, only complaint is a few non-stock engine covers which I'm returning to stock.
This bike has a dark red, non-pro paint job that passes but it needs the stock colors again since it's a 100% stock bike.

I'm already down $$ as follows on this 'free' bike:

INVESTMENT SO FAR
- cargo van rental to get it home + gas = $80
- $75 for new battery
- $14 for 4 new spark plugs, NGK B8ES
- $58 for 4 carb rebuild kits
- $42 for used factory shop manual (ebay)
- $30 for new #22.5 pilot and new #120 main jets (has a 4-into-1 Kerker and owner never rejetted so I had to)
- $20 for new oil filter and 4 quarts of 10w-40 oil
- $2 for brass washer for oil filter bolt (when I changed the oil filter the stock washer wasn't there)
- $40 for used 1978 kz650 front brake parts (master cylinder, lever) -- the mstr cyl on my kz1000 had been sitting so long ('only' 12 years, not even 20) the original master cyl piston etc. was shot, luckily the '78 kz650 used same part and I got a working one dirt cheap
- $50 for new seat cover
- $26 for carb o-rings (8 for the 4 drain plugs and 4 emulsion tubes, 8 for the pilot adjustment)
- $51 for right side stock points cover, left side stock engine cover, starter motor chrome cover


$488 so far for this "free" 1978 kz1000 and I still need to have it stock-painted-and-decaled ($500 easy) and replace the header, after 12 years of sitting they're real thin from internal rust and one header has a huge hole.

I'll be into this 'free' bike $1500 and you know what, a 1978 kz1000 A2 with 28,000 miles won't sell for much more than that. I went into this thinking "Wow, this bike, hey it's all there, how much can it cost to put it right..."

Word of caution. I started with a complete bike and look at the $$ outlay -- crikeys.

Now, if you're Nicolas Cage and love throwing money around, well -- you have a rare turbo, go for it, I'm just a poor schmoe with a $1500 'free' kz1000. :blink:

Good post...despite most of us not having much money, it can cost a fair amount of cash to bring some of these bikes back to life...restoration on most bikes better be a labor of love because you won't be able to recoup your investment (unless it is a 1973 Z1 :laugh: ) and that doesn't include LABOR costs ...those you may just as well eat.

beats the hell out of hanging out at a bar all night,of course ive bought a few bikes at night that were really scary looking the next morning also! :woohoo:

Paint it the stock colors. then you have a beautiful "sleeper" bike

Before you do any thing silly, put all turbo parts, exhaust etc in a box and send them to me. this will save you a ton of headache. pm if interested........HEHE;)



PICs plz :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: