Buying a 1979 KZ750, what should I look for?

Topper, if it starts, runs, rides and stops everything else is minor and fixable.

Good Luck

Jim

PS: be prepared to be grinning all the way home.

This one?

Rainman wrote:

PS: be prepared to be grinning all the way home.

You called it!

So, here's the skinny on my day today. Left work around noon, stopped by the bank for some cash and then drove 2.5 hours to look at the bike.

It's a beauty. Unrestored but unbelevieably clean for a 31 year old bike.

The only unexpected surprise was an oil leak on the left side right by the shifter. I'm not sure what it is, but am hoping it's just a leaky gasket.

The bike rode wonderfully. Nice power, not a drag racer, but not what I'd call a sedate ride either.

I haggled down a little because of the leak and took the bike home for $700. Seemed like a steal to me, but honestly I don't know what these typically go for (except for Steell's circa 1979 ad).

2.5 more hours home and I unloaded the bike in the dark. Damn thing wouldn't start! Starter was revving but wouldn't catch. Finally struck once then died immediately. I just about wore the battery down trying to start it.

I pushed the bike around the front circle drive way trying to get it out of the way of the other vehicles. BTW The driveway is all up hill and this is a little heavier than my KZ305!

I finally got it situated. Then out of breath and desparate, I decided to go give it one more try. It struggled a little but then started.

I rode it around the circle drive again and got it to the parking space I really wanted it in to begin with. Let it run for a few minutes and cut it off.

I don't know what the deal was with it not starting. Started on the first time before I bought it :lol: Also not sure about the leak, but I'm hoping it'll be an easy fix.

Thanks to everyone on here for their support. I was looking for a bigger bike to replace my KZ305 and I was looking at other makes, but my heart really wanted to stay with the classic KZ line. If not, I'd have to find another forum and that's just too much work

Topper, yes that is what I was talking about. I hope 2.5 hours of that was not too much. Welcome to the wonderfull world of the mighty twin.

Now the fun begins.

1) get a Kawasaki factory service manual (20-30 dollars on E-bay off and on). KZ750twins.com might have a down loadable copy. I like hardcopy myself.

2) Get to know Z1Enterprises (if you don't already). Price, service and knowledge, hard to beat.

3) Get a bottle of Seafoam (fuel additive/stabilizer). About 8 bucks (walmart, farm supply, auto parts store). 1/4 to 1/2 bottle to first tank full will help with carb and combustion chamber cleaning.

Did you try the kick starter? Sounds like the starter clutch needs a little TLC.

Good Luck
Jim

Topper, here is what is under the sprocket cover

if it is not leaving a mess on the floor after a couple days in the same spot it will probably be ok.

And the infamous starter clutch
(oops, picture size does matter)

second try

That's better

The back side of the starter clutch

these three bolts comming loose can create quite a mess.

1) got it already, it came with the bike.
2) will do
3) I've got a bottle of stabil fuel stabalizer. Don't know how it compares to seafoam, but its handy

I've never started a bike with the kick. Is it as obvious as it looks?

You think the problem I was having getting it to start was the starter clutch? It would sort of rev, rev, rev but not actually start. Does that sound typical of that problem?

And the most likely root of the intermitant starter

all three rollers must pinch the starter sprocket hub for the starter clutch to rotate the crank. Busted spring, no roller pinch, no 3 point pinch, no start.

If the engine is turning over, it is not the starter clutch.
Good on the manual.

750twins are touchy about starting.
A good, full charged battery is critical.
Charge the battery if it is low. Trickle or low amp charge.
A word of caution, don't jump a motorcycle battery from a running car, too much - too fast, it can explode.

Cold engine, choke on, no throttle. Adding any throttle will flood the carbs. The choke is actually an enricher circuit.
Warm engine, no choke, no throttle.

You might check the spark plugs. The battery supplies the coils with power thru the ignition switch and the kill switch (top of throttle switch gear). Be sure the kill switch did not get bumped to one of the off positions.

Seafoam is also a cleaner and will help clean the internal fuel passages in the carbs as if flows thru with the fuel. It will break down and clean out the varnish build up from old fuel setting in the carbs. It will not break down any rust or dirt particals that get into the carbs.
In line fuel filters are a strong recommendation, and new ones if it has some now.

Good Luck
Jim