BLSully
Been Around the Block
Hey all, I've been a member a while, and been looking for another KZ even longer for a play/project bike. Recently ran across a KZ400 in good-not-great cosmetic condition, not running, but with LOTS of new parts on it. I bought it for a $500, which is maybe a bit more than it's worth, but I felt it was a solid base that wouldn't require major work (I don't have the advantage of having a blasting cabinet, welder, drill press, and lathe in my garage )
Priority #1 is get it running. The carbs are kinda nasty...not horrible, but very oxidized and pitted from sitting dry. Also someone apparently decided it'd be a great idea to yank the starter jet out with pliers. Thankfully I don't think it will effect the performance of the carb at all...it's just ugly and sad The nice part, is there are brand new pilot and main jets, and new pilot needles in the carbs already, so it looks like someone had started going down this path....but didn't do a good job cleaning out the carbs themselves.
Since I am lacking the bits needed to clean the carbs though, I started "digging" to figure out what else might need attention before making the little twin run. Started by stealing the Vulcan's battery and hooking it up to make sure the electrical system worked. Starter seems strong, lights all work except for what seems to be a burnt out 'running light' on the left. Turn signal works though so I'm guessing it's just the bulb. Brake switches front and rear work, and the turn signal relay is one of the new parts on the bike.
This is pretty much how it's sitting right now. I work too much to have much time in the evening to work on the bike...but I've tinkered with it....the huge ugly crash bars are gone, and I've tried to bring back some of the chrome with NeverDull, but a lot of it is too pitted to come back properly. Powdercoating time it is!
I've honestly been spending most of my time thinking about how things are going to work. I'm a long ways from clip ons and rearsets, but if I think about it now, the execution later should be less trial and error :
Priority #1 is get it running. The carbs are kinda nasty...not horrible, but very oxidized and pitted from sitting dry. Also someone apparently decided it'd be a great idea to yank the starter jet out with pliers. Thankfully I don't think it will effect the performance of the carb at all...it's just ugly and sad The nice part, is there are brand new pilot and main jets, and new pilot needles in the carbs already, so it looks like someone had started going down this path....but didn't do a good job cleaning out the carbs themselves.
Since I am lacking the bits needed to clean the carbs though, I started "digging" to figure out what else might need attention before making the little twin run. Started by stealing the Vulcan's battery and hooking it up to make sure the electrical system worked. Starter seems strong, lights all work except for what seems to be a burnt out 'running light' on the left. Turn signal works though so I'm guessing it's just the bulb. Brake switches front and rear work, and the turn signal relay is one of the new parts on the bike.
This is pretty much how it's sitting right now. I work too much to have much time in the evening to work on the bike...but I've tinkered with it....the huge ugly crash bars are gone, and I've tried to bring back some of the chrome with NeverDull, but a lot of it is too pitted to come back properly. Powdercoating time it is!
I've honestly been spending most of my time thinking about how things are going to work. I'm a long ways from clip ons and rearsets, but if I think about it now, the execution later should be less trial and error :