Need some advice on 83 750ltd restore.

I have lurked as a guest for awhile looking through the archives for useful information to restore this bike. Today I found a problem that I need help solving.

7 years ago I needed a part for the KZ 650SR, bought off a local guy and upon picking up the part at his house he offered me a "parts" bike for 60 bucks. I was looking for a shaft drive bike to restore and that's what he had on the side of his house. Long story short I bought it and and took it home where it has sat till a couple weeks ago. It was locked up but I had restored a couple other bikes with same problem so was confident I could restore this one as well. I was single at the time but shortly after acquiring the 83ltd I found myself engaged, married and then a couple years ago I was blessed with the arrival of my daughter. I have just recently been able to hit the garage and turn some wrenches...

Pulled motor a few days ago and disassembled top end to find an almost brand new motor, bike only had 4060 miles on it and everything looks BEAUTIFUL inside except #3 cylinder. I beat on the piston for about an hour and a half using a hickory hammer handle and hammer trying not to damage the piston in the hopes I could re-use it. when I was able to tap it out and remove the jugs I found #3 cylinder pitted enough to worry me about just putting it back together. I also flatened the piston some, not much but enough to make me think it might be a bad idea to re-use it.

My question is how can I solve this problem inexpensivly? I've dropped almost $500.00 on a cluster,tank,carbs, seat, engine covers, gasket set ect... I really want THIS bike running, I have an older KZ 650SR and a 75 XS Yamaha I'm trying to sell to fund this restore but at the moment cash is tight. The pitting over all isn't extream, a couple spots about the diameter of a small paperclip are about .010 deep. Can this be used? Can piston be re-used? It flatened about .030-.045 on the top of the dome otherwise no gouges or damage. New sleeve and machinist are outside the budget right now. I might be able to afford a salvage set of jugs if it was CHEAP like under $50.00. Please advise, any help will be GREATLY appreciated!

What is condition of rings on #3 piston?
Thinking maybe ruined from rusting against the cylinder wall. And that if new rings are needed, search alternatives might also include both piston and rings. Thinking ebay. And also thinking econo-fix via light honing of #3 cylinder and engine reassembly while replacing only #3 rings and possibly #3 piston if price is right. It's worrisome that strength and integrity of #3 piston may be compromised, which could later fail and result in more $eriou$ engine damage.

Good Luck!

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere's a sample from several KZ750 pistons and/or rings currenly listed on ebay.

This piston is item 270352053499 with a buy it now price of $27.



Also saw some separate ring sets listed for KZ750 piston.

Good Luck!

First let me say thank you for your response. Top ring is ok, bottem and oil rings are gummed in pretty tight, i've been on ebay all night looking for a listing like that but obviously not searching the correct terms. I really want to get her running so I can ride this season but dont want to have to tear her back down if I can avoid it, I have honed cylinders before but was told by a real mechanic that if there's even 1 rust pit on a sleeve and it needs to be replaced. can anyone tell me how true that is? It's totally against my nature to not fix it right the first time, but funds are low unless I can sell one of my oyher bikes...

Sheesh, I should,ve parted this one out. This bike fits me perfect so maybe no riding her this season.:S

I searched KZ750 piston on ebay and got only 2 matches, but then kept on scrolling down to "stores" and more scrolling down to lots of pistons and rings.

Good Luck!

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationHere's an ebay listed sleeve for buy it now $69.

item 250359896609



Things sure add up fast! :lol:

Ahhhh, noggin is soupy tonight, got riding on my mind.
I saw the sleeve but it's not doable right now.

I can already tell this bike is gonna cost me plenty to fix up but I think it'll be worth it to me, nothing like knowing your ride inside and out.

Just be sure you are looking at parts for a 750 four cylinder, and not the 750 twin which that piston fits.

OKC_Kent wrote:

Just be sure you are looking at parts for a 750 four cylinder, and not the 750 twin which that piston fits.

:pinch: RyDaddy's wasn't the only soupy noggin at 3 am. :laugh:

> OKC_Kent!

Am thinking ebay sleeve listing might be erroneous.

The ebay item 250359896609 is listed as being for
KAWASAKI KZ750 WISECO CYLINDER SLEEVE KZ 750 80-85, with Part No. 3191FA shown in the barcode box.

If I'm reading Wiseco's website correctly, Part No. 3191FA is for 98-02 Yamaha YFM600. And Wiseco website shows Part No. KA686SL for KZ750-H4 (4 cyl) at $71.68.

kawasaki.com parts diagram for 1983 KZ750-H4 LTD has part no. 13001-1343 for standard size piston and part no. 13009-5046 for standard size set of rings. The piston is common to 10 models and rings are common to 14 models.

Part no. 13001-1343 standard piston common to following 10 models:
KZ750-F1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-H4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ750-L3 (1983)
KZ750-R1 (GPz) (1982)
ZR750-C1 (Zephyr 750) (1991)
ZR750-C2 (Zephyr 750) (1992)
ZR750-C3 (Zephyr 750) (1993)
ZX750-A1 (GPz 750) (1983)
ZX750-A2 (GPz 750) (1984)
ZX750-A3 (GPz 750) (1985)

Part no. 13009-5046 for standard size set of rings common to following 14 models:

KZ750-F1 (LTD Shaft) (1983)
KZ750-H4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ750-L3 (1983)
KZ750-N1 (Spectre) (1982)
KZ750-N2 (Spectre) (1983)
KZ750-R1 (GPz) (1982)
ZR750-C1 (Zephyr 750) (1991)
ZR750-C2 (Zephyr 750) (1992)
ZR750-C3 (Zephyr 750) (1993)
ZX750-A1 (GPz 750) (1983)
ZX750-A2 (GPz 750) (1984)
ZX750-A3 (GPz 750) (1985)
ZX750-E1 (GPz 750 Turbo) (1984)
ZX750-E2 (GPz 750 Turbo) (1985)

---

Would it be possible to post pics of the damaged parts?

Am still concerned existing rings may be too damaged for re-using, especially the more delicate oil ring. But perhaps a lengthy soak in PJBlaster or stronger solvent could possibly renovate then sufficiently for continued use. Would prefer using all new rings.

As for the piston, would prefer replacing with new, as better safe than sorry.

Regarding the sleeve, am not yet convinced that a new sleeve is essential in this instance. But readily defer to those with superior knowledge and bona-fide reason as to some potentially disasterous consequence of minor pitting in the sleeve. Until then, while awaiting pics, am back to one new standard piston plus new rings in lightly honed cylinder with same sleeve, as a feasible econo-fix.

Would suppose another dreadful option might be to go first overbore in just the one cylinder.

Good Luck with whatever course decided!

Wow! Thanks for the cross-over, I knew the gpz and spectre stuff would work but had not found the info for the zepher or range of years... Thanks for the help, I'll try to post some pics lil later. I have a few people coming to look at my other bikes today so im going to be bouncing all over.

Aparrently I need to read how to post pics, not that my crappy camera could take as detailed a pic as I need to show you. I have a line on a salvage set of jugs, I'll have to wait a bit till I can afford to get em but seems like the best idea due to finding #2's bottem ring broken and cylinder scored a little bit and a couple dings on the top of #3's sleeve (better safe than stranded)... OY, what a day!!! Maybe i'll get to ride next summer.