77 KZ750 BACK on the ROAD

As some of you may know, on Easter Sunday I was on my KZ750, which I had only owned for 2 weeks. It had 9,500 miles on it and is in pristine condition.

Two days after I bought it, the carbs flooded like crazy. Turns out the brass float had a hole on the seam. Swapped that out and the following week I was excited to ride the bike.

Going through Downtown Manhattan, NYC to cross over into Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge, my chain broke while I was doing 20MPH. I was lucky. Not a scratch on me or on the bike.

Went scrounging online for parts and got a JT Sprocket and chain. As of today Im back on the road and the bike runs great. It was 85 degrees F today, or about 29C and i had a great ride. Here is a photo of the bike. I took it today before I went riding.

That chain adjuster is adjusted nearly all the way toward the outer end of the swing arm. Normally, it would be nearly all the way forward, especially with a new chain. Are you sure the chain has the correct number of links? Ed

650ed wrote: That chain adjuster is adjusted nearly all the way toward the outer end of the swing arm. Normally, it would be nearly all the way forward, especially with a new chain. Are you sure the chain has the correct number of links? Ed

Im going to count them today. There should be 106. It could be 110. If it turns out its 110, what are the repercussions of running it as is, with 4 extra links?

You don't have much adjustment to compensate for chain stretch.


.

If you are going to take out links do it now. Does it have a master link? If so move the wheel all the way forward, disconnect the link and see if it will fit the next link without cutting it. One tooth larger countershaft sprocket will give you more adjustment room if you can't take out a link. Same with a larger rear sprocket.
Steve

SWest wrote: If you are going to take out links do it now. Does it have a master link? If so move the wheel all the way forward, disconnect the link and see if it will fit the next link without cutting it. One tooth larger countershaft sprocket will give you more adjustment room if you can't take out a link. Same with a larger rear sprocket.
Steve

Yes it has a riveted master link. I suppose i can take that off. BUT will i have to take the covers off and whatnot or can i do it while the chain is still on the bike (take the link out I mean)

SWest wrote: If you are going to take out links do it now. Does it have a master link? If so move the wheel all the way forward, disconnect the link and see if it will fit the next link without cutting it. One tooth larger countershaft sprocket will give you more adjustment room if you can't take out a link. Same with a larger rear sprocket.
Steve

I counted the links on the chain as its on the bike. Its OEM spec 106 links. I wonder why it "seems" longer. Hmmmm.

Maybe the sprockets are smaller than stock?

loudhvx wrote: Maybe the sprockets are smaller than stock?

I bought this same sprocket which lists it as stock. If you see anything wrong let me know, but I think sprocket size is 530 38T

www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-race...ocket-jtr488-38.html

Z1E lists this.
Steve
www.z1enterprises.com/530-jtr488-series-45t-rr-sprocket.html 45T
And this.
www.z1enterprises.com/530-jtf513-series-14t-fr-sprocket.html 14T

If your rear sprocket is smaller, your takeoff will suffer but the RPM's will be lower at speed. Same as if you had one tooth larger front sprocket. On my bike (630 chain) stock is 15/35. It was great for takeoff but at 70 I was at 5000 RPM's. With the 16 countershaft I';m at 4000 .or a little over. I didn't like taching at 7000 at 90-100. Now it purrs at 90 with more to go,:woohoo:
Steve

SWest wrote: Z1E lists this.
Steve
www.z1enterprises.com/530-jtr488-series-45t-rr-sprocket.html 45T
And this.
www.z1enterprises.com/530-jtf513-series-14t-fr-sprocket.html 14T

After checking several sites, the manual and bike bandit, which references the original manual, it seems the appropriate number of teeth on the rear sprocket is 38, which is what i have on it. Im not too concerned about it. If it happens that the chain stretches beyond what can be adjusted, i'll change it then. I have 4 bikes and cant get bogged down. I had a great time on it this weekend and will continue to ride it. Or in other words, I cant be bothered lol. Whats done is done.

www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/detail/kawa...4?m=150647&sch=37982