1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2 (New pics from winter ride on page 6)
- Thread starter Gryph
- Start date
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
A little update, The parts went in for paint this morning. I completely changed my scheme again after racking my brain. Final decision is gloss black with a fat white racing stripe following the ridge on the tank and surrounded by two little stripes (Monza?). The stripe is going to be Cadillac White Diamond, it's the awesome pearl that caddy has. I think I'm going to love it, I should have them back by this weekend, so I will post pics.
Right now I'm cleaning the carbs from my parts bike for a little practice before I hit the ones that are from the bike. One diaphragm has been repaired, the other looks like its going to crack anytime (so much for thinking I had some extras). Realized it's missing the idle adjust screw extension and bracket, also I can't get the pilot screws out because they are jammed.
I can't find anything local to dunk them in (only some Motomaster stuff from crappy tire). So I'm just using a spray bottle of carb cleaner and some canned air on the jets right now.
Is there anything in the body I should worry about cleaning other than the jets and where the jets go? Should I go find something to dunk them in or is this method of cleaning sufficient?
A little update, The parts went in for paint this morning. I completely changed my scheme again after racking my brain. Final decision is gloss black with a fat white racing stripe following the ridge on the tank and surrounded by two little stripes (Monza?). The stripe is going to be Cadillac White Diamond, it's the awesome pearl that caddy has. I think I'm going to love it, I should have them back by this weekend, so I will post pics.
Right now I'm cleaning the carbs from my parts bike for a little practice before I hit the ones that are from the bike. One diaphragm has been repaired, the other looks like its going to crack anytime (so much for thinking I had some extras). Realized it's missing the idle adjust screw extension and bracket, also I can't get the pilot screws out because they are jammed.
I can't find anything local to dunk them in (only some Motomaster stuff from crappy tire). So I'm just using a spray bottle of carb cleaner and some canned air on the jets right now.
Is there anything in the body I should worry about cleaning other than the jets and where the jets go? Should I go find something to dunk them in or is this method of cleaning sufficient?
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
UhOh that's the colour I was going for lol, wanted something "creamy", oh well I'm sure I'll love it anyway. Wanted something just a little off white and I think this will do it for me. On to the main carbs. Knowing that I'm getting back the painted parts by Friday or Saturday is a real motivator!
JRK5892 said:
UhOh that's the colour I was going for lol, wanted something "creamy", oh well I'm sure I'll love it anyway. Wanted something just a little off white and I think this will do it for me. On to the main carbs. Knowing that I'm getting back the painted parts by Friday or Saturday is a real motivator!
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
your tank?
unless there are really bad surface area's i dont really sand the primer (i get that out in the prep work) put a few coats of paint on there and wet sand that... i know some guys like to hit the primer with 800 grit first but i like to leave a solid surface for my paint to bite to... if it is smooth i say start laying paint
your tank?
unless there are really bad surface area's i dont really sand the primer (i get that out in the prep work) put a few coats of paint on there and wet sand that... i know some guys like to hit the primer with 800 grit first but i like to leave a solid surface for my paint to bite to... if it is smooth i say start laying paint
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
Pics of my progress, been a while since I loaded some up.
Primered:
Painted, only had enough for two coats hope it's ok:
Now here's a pic of the 2-1 Kawi exhaust that came on the bike, significant rust on the underside (looks ok when mounted on the bike), I'm too scared to hit this with the wire wheel.
And here is a 2-2 that came with the parts bike (got my bike, the parts bike, and a bunch of parts for $300 canadian!!), It was covered in grease/grime, I cleaned it up and it is in really good shape, a little rust at the top of the headers but clean otherwise. Has been down once it looks like but not too bad. I'm tempted to run these on the bike instead of the 2-1 but I'm worried about having to re-jet. What do you guys think?
Pics of my progress, been a while since I loaded some up.
Primered:
Painted, only had enough for two coats hope it's ok:
Now here's a pic of the 2-1 Kawi exhaust that came on the bike, significant rust on the underside (looks ok when mounted on the bike), I'm too scared to hit this with the wire wheel.
And here is a 2-2 that came with the parts bike (got my bike, the parts bike, and a bunch of parts for $300 canadian!!), It was covered in grease/grime, I cleaned it up and it is in really good shape, a little rust at the top of the headers but clean otherwise. Has been down once it looks like but not too bad. I'm tempted to run these on the bike instead of the 2-1 but I'm worried about having to re-jet. What do you guys think?
tomsljr
Been Around the Block
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
Typically, whenever you change intake or exhaust you are going to have to re-jet. If you keep the stock intake, probably going up one will be enough. If you switch to pods or stacks, it could be as much as three. Also it depends if the pipes are baffled or straight. The jets are cheap enough on ebay that you can experiment a little. Looking good, I am looking forward to seeing it come together.
Typically, whenever you change intake or exhaust you are going to have to re-jet. If you keep the stock intake, probably going up one will be enough. If you switch to pods or stacks, it could be as much as three. Also it depends if the pipes are baffled or straight. The jets are cheap enough on ebay that you can experiment a little. Looking good, I am looking forward to seeing it come together.
valvesprung
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
Those head pipes make me think it's a Mac system which should not require a rejet. Just food for thought.
Those head pipes make me think it's a Mac system which should not require a rejet. Just food for thought.
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
Oh the MAC systems don't typically require a rejet? That's good news, also I think my B2 came from the factory with a 2-2 if I'm not mistaken...Not sure when this 2-1 got slapped on there, I'm thinking it's the one from my parts bike.
Looks like I might try out the MAC system then, I'll have to throw on some cocktail shaker's for tips, not a fan of the style as is.
valvesprung said:
Oh the MAC systems don't typically require a rejet? That's good news, also I think my B2 came from the factory with a 2-2 if I'm not mistaken...Not sure when this 2-1 got slapped on there, I'm thinking it's the one from my parts bike.
Looks like I might try out the MAC system then, I'll have to throw on some cocktail shaker's for tips, not a fan of the style as is.
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
I just got a call from my dad, the painters left out the pin stripes surrounding the fat stripe (just painted a fat stripe)... Even though he gave them like 10 pictures of what I wanted. I'm pretty pissed, their solution is reshooting it and charging us only materials... My dad said the pearl looks great though.
I went out and started taking off the gauges and bars to paint some more, and noticed that my brake line coming from the master cylinder is cracked (might have done it when moving the bars around.
So I guess I can either replace the line and master cylinder (probably needs doing anyway but will be a lot of $$), or my parts bike has a front drum, I just hooked up the lever that had been dangling there and the damn thing works. The wheel however is in rough shape, a lot of rust, would I be able to relace the drum hub into my wheel? Am I crazy to consider ditching the disc in favor of a drum?
I just got a call from my dad, the painters left out the pin stripes surrounding the fat stripe (just painted a fat stripe)... Even though he gave them like 10 pictures of what I wanted. I'm pretty pissed, their solution is reshooting it and charging us only materials... My dad said the pearl looks great though.
I went out and started taking off the gauges and bars to paint some more, and noticed that my brake line coming from the master cylinder is cracked (might have done it when moving the bars around.
So I guess I can either replace the line and master cylinder (probably needs doing anyway but will be a lot of $$), or my parts bike has a front drum, I just hooked up the lever that had been dangling there and the damn thing works. The wheel however is in rough shape, a lot of rust, would I be able to relace the drum hub into my wheel? Am I crazy to consider ditching the disc in favor of a drum?
tomsljr
Been Around the Block
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
To replace the brake you have to replace the wheel. The old KZ guys all seem to prefer the drum as the disk is problematic in the wet. Also the drum has more old school cred. The big down side is that the drum brake shoes are hard to come by. I found one guy out in California, but have since lost his contact info. I have to find it anyway, so if you go that way I will pass along the info.
To replace the brake you have to replace the wheel. The old KZ guys all seem to prefer the drum as the disk is problematic in the wet. Also the drum has more old school cred. The big down side is that the drum brake shoes are hard to come by. I found one guy out in California, but have since lost his contact info. I have to find it anyway, so if you go that way I will pass along the info.
valvesprung
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 1979 Kawasaki KZ400B2
Actually no you're not crazy. When I first started building my 400, I wanted to swap on a disk for performance, but was told they are so marginal that I'd be better off with the drum, oddly enough, even more so in the rain!
If you can find a decent drum front wheel (not terribley common), that would be a great way to ga and you get to loose all the extra parts/hydraulic system.
Actually no you're not crazy. When I first started building my 400, I wanted to swap on a disk for performance, but was told they are so marginal that I'd be better off with the drum, oddly enough, even more so in the rain!
If you can find a decent drum front wheel (not terribley common), that would be a great way to ga and you get to loose all the extra parts/hydraulic system.
