1978 KZ1000-A2 "Barn find"

Fuel mixture screws. Try
jetsrus.com/carb_rebuild_kit/carb_rebuil..._kit_1selection.html

Wow lots of posts to respond to.

Fist congratulations on the engagement, I like the confidence and creativity. The gauges look great. I’m on my 4th carb set rebuild and seeing the insite of other members, to not fall for the “carb kits” unless like in your case if you need needles, seat, jets, or any brass parts. IMO once you need brass your money is better spent with kits. You can get a complete kit usually for the cost of new brass. That being said when needed, I’ve had great luck with Keyster. Buy direct from the Japanese site. I use PayPal so you have protection if randomly something goes south.

Now about that seat. I have an ugly one that my backside really loves. :silly:

Kaylinator: I am not sure anymore, but sometime back I thought I saw someone using an old rear sprocket hub hole to hold a speedometer with in order to put the rings on. You may want to do a bit of searching on that one or may be someone that knows can chime in. I sent my gauges out to be refurbished so I didn't have to mess with it. You are quite lucky you found that broken needle in your carb by the way. Good luck!

Rick H.

Rick H. wrote: Kaylinator: I am not sure anymore, but sometime back I thought I saw someone using an old rear sprocket hub hole to hold a speedometer with in order to put the rings on. You may want to do a bit of searching on that one or may be someone that knows can chime in. I sent my gauges out to be refurbished so I didn't have to mess with it. You are quite lucky you found that broken needle in your carb by the way. Good luck!

Rick H.

Here Rick. Asphalt900’s jig

SWest wrote: Fuel mixture screws. Try
jetsrus.com/carb_rebuild_kit/carb_rebuil..._kit_1selection.html

I prefer to stick with the nomenclature Kawasaki uses in their FSM. It helps to avoid confusion for noobs like myself.

My backside actually liked that ugly seat slot too, Mikaw, but, yea, it's super ugly. Also just super old, cracked and faded. I've managed to bring a bit of life back to it so it isn't so brittle anymore, but it's also quite tall. At 5'7" on an already big bike, it was just a little bit much.

Rick H. wrote: Kaylinator: I am not sure anymore, but sometime back I thought I saw someone using an old rear sprocket hub hole to hold a speedometer with in order to put the rings on. You may want to do a bit of searching on that one or may be someone that knows can chime in. I sent my gauges out to be refurbished so I didn't have to mess with it. You are quite lucky you found that broken needle in your carb by the way. Good luck!

Rick H.

I had actually seen Asphalt900's setup, and made something similar out of scrap steel. Even went out and bought some cheap pliers to sacrifice. Just wasn't having any luck. I thought to try searching for some crimp rings made of a slightly softer material, but eventually decided this was good enough for now.

Still waiting on parts to arrive. Carb kits have been in Mississauga, ON, which I'm sure every Canadian knows as the place packages go to die, even in a normal year.

I did pick up some spare turn signals locally for $20. I saw a post on FB Marketplace for a KZ 900 exhaust for $60! I jumped on it fast, but someone else was faster, so I asked him what other KZ bits he had. All he had left were turn signals, bit can't hurt to have spares.

I went to the shop on the weekend and reinstalled the carbs. Partly to get them off the kitchen counter, partly to get fuel lines figured out. I'm pretty happy with the way the fuel lines looks for 3/4, but I think I may have to get a 90° fuel filter for 1/2?


Of course, this also means that my Keyster carb kits showed up today... I'm fairly certain this is the correct kit. It took quite a bit of research. I almost landed on KK-0077, but the needle jet is different, not that I intend to use that anyway...

Reading your thread and I came to the realization that if yours is a "barn find", mine must be an "outside the barn find"! :ohmy: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Skidmark wrote: Reading your thread and I came to the realization that if yours is a "barn find", mine must be an "outside the barn find"! :ohmy: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Barnyard find.........

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Now about that seat. I have an ugly one that my backside really loves. :silly:

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Hi Matt, this was the seat we used to buy in late 70's - 80 who remembers "Beck Arnley" catalog?? $49 dollars! They held our ass in place doing hole shots on the street! Hog wheel with lowered shocks. My 1st. customed up KZ. And the same bike 30 years later after a couple of us selling it and rebuying it. I always painted silver black. O f course I liked the 73 Z1 paint scheme. I found an old polaroid pic.