TOPIC:

It is the VF1000F. I've never owned any bikes of that genre. Just standards and crusier types ... a racer style bike might be an interesting departure for me !!!

Looks like this one >>>

I feel your passion and your pain! What ever the bike was before you got it, its going to be outstanding when your done.

I had a long, too long, rebuild time on my 77 KZ-650-B1. I learned a lot about what can deteriorate on a bike over 30 years of service. Now, I’ve come away with a different approach to doing another similar project. I’d do the following:
1) Replace both coils with new ones (I tried used replacements, don’t ask).
2) Replace the ignition switch, mine was intermittent.
3) Remove and clean/repair all switch gear (watch for flying springs).
4) Clean or replace all wiring harness contacts/connectors as required.
5) Clean or replace all bulb sockets as required.
6) Clean and solder all lugs to and from battery positive and negative.
7) Use a relay to deliver the battery positive to the coil positive (WG Coil Re-powering mod.)
8) Use a relay to deliver the head light positive to the head light positive (I can provide my circuit diagram).
9) Use a relay to shut of the head light while the start button is pushed, to save the battery (Again, I can provide my circuit diagram).

Best of success!

2M4Dale wrote:

It is the VF1000F. I've never owned any bikes of that genre. Just standards and crusier types ... a racer style bike might be an interesting departure for me !!!

Looks like this one >>>

Nice work on the LTD. Your effort shows.

BTW, those V4 Hondas were very nice. I am surprised they were so short lived given their performance. Back in the mid-eighties I tried to keep up with a 750 Interceptor on my Kz650. It wasn't even close as the Honda rider stomped all over me.

I had a chance for a rematch with a 750 Interceptor at the drags this past summer. He redlighted and I still beat him by over a full second. There is justice in the world:)

Cheers-Colin Firth-Ontario Canada

Bill, thanks for the compliment and the advise ... I have done several of the things on your list. But would need to do some more .... (1) New coils ... are they still available from my local Kawi dealer ... I'm gonna call 'em today ! (2,3,4,5,6) Done for the most part (7)got the webpage for this upgrade... will get 'er done this winter !!! (8,9) Hec yes ... send me the circuit diagrams !!!! Thanks Again !!!

reborn650, Thanks, I'm glad my effort shows !!! Lord knows I've put plenty of effort into this project ... lol ... and Yup ... I know those old Interceptors were quite fast !!!

79MKII, thanks for the flasher tip ... I have a bad relay on the turn signal side ... I'm just gonna replace both units !

Post edited by: 2M4Dale, at: 2007/09/20 06:42

If it looks exactly like that bike you posted the pic of its a V45 750. The VF1000F has a different upper cowl and longer side panels. But a nice bike none the less. They still build the Interceptors but they are geared more as a sport touring bike now.

Heres a pic of my 85 V45 that shares the driveway with my GPz

Kawasaki OEM was expensive for me and the High Voltage output spec of 10 to 12 KV was low-ish. What I used, and what many have used here, are the Dyna Coils with a high voltage output spec in the 20-24 KV range, if I remember correctly. You will feel the difference.

I got mine, and again where many here get their vintage parts, from Z1 Enterprises in upper NY, USA because of the expert advise I got on the phone for selecting the correct coil model, the price and the very short ship-out time.

Dyna coils, you will notice, are form and almost-fit replacements or the OEM coils. If you decide to go with the Dyna coils let us know and we can let you know how to get around a potential 12Vdc short to chassis through the mounting post situation. There have been numerous creative work-arounds for this... I am constantly amazed the solutions the members think up.

Now lets try posting the 3 diagrams (If you need, I can provide them in VDS, JPG or PDF):
1/3) K1-Ignition Coil 12VDC
2/3) K2-Starter/Head Light Lockout
3/3) K3-Head Hi-Lo 12VDC




Best of success!

Well that didn't turn out the way I expected.

Post edited by: bill_wilcox100, at: 2007/09/20 11:08

OK, lets try 2/3.

That's a little better.

So lets try 1/3.


I'll need to learn how to get more than one image per post some day.

Best of success!

If the moderator would like to cleanup the mess in the first set of images by deleting the two duplicates that would OK by me.

Post edited by: bill_wilcox100, at: 2007/09/20 11:16

I agree on the Haynes manual, the text is ok but the paper quality and printing makes the pictures pretty much useless and the electric schmenes are useless since the color of the wires are close to unreadable.

Good luck in fixing the electrics.

Thanks Bill, got 'em printed out for further study ... lol

Thanks Wilde ... this up-coming weekend is do or die .... I'll get it running one way or another !!!

We'll .... I didn't get it done this past weekend ... just couldn't find the ghost in the machine .... so off the Johnny's Motorcyle in Wadsworth Ohio for a complete electrical overhaul. I feel bad not doing it all myself but I did everything else ... frame up. Sooooo ... in hopes of actually getting to ride the thing this season yet I've handed it off to the pros.

Anyways .... Johnnys Motorcycle has been in business for nearly three decades now and they specialize in old Kawi's. They have a extensive selection of Kawi parts ... even complete bikes ... plus they have an Ebay Store. They've done some work for me in the past ... they've always been fast, freindly and fair ... so why not ???

Here's a current pic ... taken on Sunday, Sept. 23rd. Pic shows the bike complete with the exception of my mirrors. The fine "mechanic" sitting on my KZ is my 15 year old daugther, "Becca". She has been extremely interested and helpfull throughout the entire process of rebuilding this bike .... wether running to the house for pop or this or that, sweeping up the shop, cleaning motorcycle parts and even handing me tools as I worked ... she's been my number 1 helper and I'm writing this paragraph as kudos to her.

Maybe next weekend I'll be riding .... here's hoping !!!