Just fired up new top end on my KZ900

Sweet looking KZ! That thing's in beautiful shape.

I made it leak as I wanted to swivel it because I added filters in line and had to reroute my fuel line. I did spray WD40 on both sides to see if I could swivel it and I did(ha-ha). I had just assumed there were o-rings in there, but have seen some nicely machined ones with o-rings on them on Ebay. I don't mind buying new ones if I need to as I haven't taken them apart yet. Gonna go check out Z1 now for these parts plus fuel line.

sbc1320 wrote:

I made it leak as I wanted to swivel it because I added filters in line and had to reroute my fuel line. I did spray WD40 on both sides to see if I could swivel it and I did(ha-ha). I had just assumed there were o-rings in there, but have seen some nicely machined ones with o-rings on them on Ebay. I don't mind buying new ones if I need to as I haven't taken them apart yet. Gonna go check out Z1 now for these parts plus fuel line.

Am unfamiliar with the machined items on ebay with o-rings.

The oem style fuel pipes are designed to allow slight up and down movement to best accommodate fuel hose alignment. It is supposed to swivel a bit without causing any leakage.

Good Luck!

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mikuni-Carb-Fuel...?hash=item414ccc8184

I already ordered from Z1, but here is a link for the brass ones on Ebay just in case someone needs them. I figured the originals would last another 30+ years anyway. I will probably put a little silicone grease on them.

sbc1320 wrote:

cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mikuni-Carb-Fuel...?hash=item414ccc8184

I already ordered from Z1, but here is a link for the brass ones on Ebay just in case someone needs them. I figured the originals would last another 30+ years anyway. I will probably put a little silicone grease on them.

Thanks for the ebay link. The brass items look very nice.
Hope the Viton o-rings are fitted.

And kudos to otakar for recently posting some interesting information about the material used in o-rings:

...in my last job I had the opportunity to study most of these synthetic compounds. This gave me a very good education of them. Viton is a MUST for todays "Flex Fuel" cars. Also because all automotive gasoline today has a minimum of 10% Ethanol (some has quite a bit more)this will make Nitrile decompose. For this reason I use Viton seals in carburetors where ever possible. What most people do not realize is that Ethanol or E85 fuel is extremely corrosive, unlike Gasoline. This is why DuPont and BP have gone into a joint venture to produce Butanol in stead. It is non corrosive and has much closer to the energy density of gasoline. Butanol also acts on seals the same way as Gasoline will and will not deteriorate them. I have been running 20% Butanol in my KZ900 for about 3 years now. I did not even have to re-jet it. The only problem is that it makes the bike cold blooded. Until it is hot, it likes to cut out a lot with 20% Butanol.

Good Luck!

I got to take her out today. Got up and started polishing her up a bit. I swiveled the tee connector on the carb up and down a bit and turned the gas on "Prime". It didn't leak a drop and it was leaking bad yesterday. I know I made it leak as it probably hadn't been swiveled in years. Still have new ones ordered though. It's a little cold out down here south of Houston (43*). Put about 10 miles on her and she is running good. Here is a few more pictures.

ONe more picture as I don't know how to load multiple pictures.

PO? :laugh: :laugh:

Good lookin bike man, the old Kaws are soooo sweet.....
Got any video for us?

Looks just like it, except mine is a KZ900 and I think his is a 1000. Mine does have the paint scheme for a 1978 KZ1000. Here is another shot that I took today.

Here is the video if I did this right.

Man, I wish my chrome looked that good.