Basics = Fit decent tyres . Make sure all your wheel, swing arm and steering bearings are in good shape. Up grade your shocks, service the forks ( fit stiffer/progressive springs ) and fit a fork brace.
After that the next stage is more intrusive with a braced or boxed swing arm and frame bracing etc.
All depends on how far you want to go.

Well maybe it all stops right here then. (and thanks you guys for the tips).
So you recommend I don't need to modify it then.
Already have the swing arm DR G,

My goal is more power though cams or head work but on a decent handling frame.

This bike is still in transit to me so I don't know how it will handle and feel.

I did read lots about rubbery frames on the web though.
But that might just be with with sticky slicks and on the track.

I also really miss those 3 rd gear roll on powerlifts my old superbike did.
Hoping for that feeling again with this.
I also remember switching to roller bearings in the head tube on another bike and wow what a difference.
Not sure if mine has those or not.

I just want the bike to be as good as it can be....within reason. I know it's only steel tubing.
Would love to see your pics DR Gamma

I know you guys are sick of this subject
I have a 77 650d and want to put a 160 rear tire on for the
nice look. I found a 78 gs1000 swing arm will it work and
what is an ez wheel swap. I checked the archive but this is a "78"
most are newer ones. Will do the front end also later.
I know there will be, off set sprocket and shiming the wheel might be
involved.
Thanks you for the help
Jim

No ideas on the speedo then. Itll go into the ' No idea how Im going to do this' box for now.
A bit more painting today,just some odds and sods. I unmasked the disks and other stuff I did last week.

The black on the disks came out pretty good,a bit thick but it hardened up well.The silver though,Im not sure about.When I wipe my finger over it,I pick up traces of the paint! Not good. It is dry and I checked the label for info and theres nothing about curing with heat.So, I dont know whats going on there. Im not going to do anymore with it as It was a real pig to mask off. Ill just have to refrain from wiping my fingers over it!!
I did a few other ( not silver) bits today.Ill check on them tomorrow.
Still no word from the powdercoater on the wheels and swingarm. Im meant to be getting a special price on them so I cant complain. Yet. I still have to order the dust seals for the wheels but apart from that,I think everything is ready to go. Disks painted,sprocket carrier painted. New bearings all round (except the swingarm), Spacers etc cleaned. I even polished up the disk bolts today. So as soon as the powdercoater has done his thing. I can get everything mounted up,fit new rubber and get thiem balanced and back on the bike. Hopefully to not come off again for a good long while.
In other news,I had problems with the ignition key. Worked fine in the seat lock and tank cap but wouldnt turn in the ignition. Couldnt figure that one out. In the end I took everything to a local locksmith. He ordered and cut a couple of new keys and everything works hunky dory now. The Keys are also a lot more robust than the old paper thin one I had before.
and now,the weather.....

There are aftermarket ones at reasonable prices that can be adapted to fit. You may have to do some welding for the mounts though. I like how some have come out here. Like with any mods there is some snags here and there. In my case it looks like I'll have to ditch my fender and use a fender eliminator due to the longer swing arm. Didn't count on that. :dry:
Steve

im doing a frame up build on this new kz I have bought in which I will definately be posting more pictures as I go along and I have a 79 Cb400 in storage that is bone stock, and a 2005 gsxr 750 which is my daily. I love these old classics and I plan for this to be one of many in the future. Here is where im at with the KZ Now


the bare frame is where im at currently.looking to go the scrambler route with it

Welcome new Guy! That is the Suzuki GS 1100 early 80's 81 - 82.That is an easy, good upgrade to the Z1-KZ.
You need to shim it at the pivot at frame about .160" on each side. And find some GS 1100 shocks on ebay.
I like them, I have sold 4 or 5 after I clean them up over the years on ebay.
Here is a nice picture of the last one I did.
These are the shocks you can use. From GS1100 Suzuki
You will get a lot of info here. once you search around.
Nice start. What else do you have?

Wow!, sorry work overnights so responses might be diffrent time zones etc.

Yes I said Rescue, meant it.

I asked about why they did the swing arm changes etc. dose not mean I am going to.
Just wondering why.

I have always had Harley's and they ride completely diffrent and over the years I have rode this one many times before he put that god awful darting on it. After he did he stopped riding it also and said he wished he never did.

Not looking to chop this up , destroy it etc. I have been around classic cars and bikes for years this is just the first one I have built.
On the bike side that's not H D.

Wider back tire, sure as wide as I can get on it now. I know there are diehards on both sides of the fence. Stay stock!! Chopp it !!
But the reality is I want to make it a good Dailly bike something I can enjoy and still runs good etc.

It is not a Rex. The icon I use as a aviator is actually the bike.

So in all its glory. But he and I had talked about diffrent things he liked the 1000 tail section the fiberglass duck bill more then the blocky one that is there now.
So if I can bolt it on I will if I have to do a whole frame mod most likely I won't.
The biggest thing now is to get it back to running and looking good again.
The org. Color I believe was Black in this but could be wrong trying to remember when u was 10 and this was still a newer bike on the market.
But I know he wanted candy apple red and the body shop screwed the color up and refused to fix it. So he hated what it become.
So I'll make sure I paint it what he wanted.
But it and pegs, handle bars , headlight will prolly be the biggest change at first

Hey all, been a while. But I'm finally in a place where I can go rescue my dads old bike. So the end of next month I'll be making the 1300 mile round trip. For it.

SO,
This leads me to the questions I have been pondering since the last time we talked.

I have already chose to do the tail section off a 1000. The box tail light needs to go and this allows me to up grade to the LED lights and make it more my taste.

I have seen where some have done the forks and down tubes for the GXR.
Why? What are the being its of this?

Also
Swing arms. Trying to decide if it is better to change it out or to streach it or to leave well enough alone ?

In the end I want it to be low,and mean looking.
Will be changed to have a 4-1 headder of some type.

I know the color will be red he always wanted candie apple red on it so I figure I'll do this as a nod to him.
But the faring must go! Lol can't do those things.

Also due to it being out side for so long any ideas of things to reall watch out for would be great.
Plan to get it here and clean it real good and tear it down and see about replacing berrings and races. And rebuild shocks and tubes. Or change if needed.

Tires are toast at this point so I know they are being replaced. But would like a wider rear tire on it.

Also where do y'all find coil packs etc? Are they still made for the 80 KZ 750's?

Any pit falls y'all have had you can warn me about would be help full.

Thanks again and happy to be back

Ok, time to try and get some photos actually uploaded. The bike is in pretty rough shape, but some basic detailing is already showing results. The chrome is all pitted, at least somewhat. The seat has a split, but i have vinyl repair guy that should be able to fix it. The tank looks to have been repainted, and the emblems shaved. The repaint looks nearly stock in color. The bike is mostly complete, and has a number of period mods. Tommaseli headlight ears, dyna ignition and coils, a dresda swingarm, mag wheels (are they Lesters or stock from a later Kaw?). The tank still has gas in it (from 1997) but the carbs were removed and drained, and look good inside. Some mysteries too; it only has a single disc brake, but is on the right, as opposed to the left as most are.

Next steps:
- buy an ignition switch and key
- drain gas and hope for the best
- change oil
- change plugs
- buy a battery