78/79 KZ750 build

[crackerman]

Picked up a second kz750. This one is a 79 kz750B barn find. She was dirty and didn't start but all there. Changed the tank, carbs, new battery, and added new plugs. Started right up. Shoulda took a picture of when I bought it. Here's a list of what I've done.

New handlebars
Headlight
new custom wiring harness
new speedo
shorty mufflers
jetted carbs for exhaust and pods
Cleaned of surface rust and removed animal piss smell
Relocated starter button,high beam light, kill switch, and key to battery box area

After jetting she seems to be running really well. Plans are to pull the engine for cleaning and paint, add rear loop and new seat, de tab the bike, add new rear fender, build battery box, and a bunch of other small things.

 

[crackerman]

Bike stripped. Waiting on the seat to work on the rear loop. Not looking forward to cutting the rear but it must be done. should be interesting. I'm decent with a mig welder so I hope this goes well. Gotta drain the oil and then I'll pull the motor.

 

[L4NE4]

That bike looked great before! Cant wait to see how it looks when finished. Do you have inspiration or just going from your head?

 

[johnu]

Nice bike, i look forward to seeing progress.

Are these Kawi's readily available in the USA? This would be the perfect donor bike for my next project.

 

[crackerman]

I wouldn't say they're a lot of them but there out there. Seems to be a lot more of the 1980's and up version that has the smaller 16" mag wheel. Got keep your eye on craigslist and jump on them when they come up. I waited years to find a titled 78' in my area for a decent price.

This build is going to be similar to my 08' Scrambler, minus the side pipe. Just grabbin ideas from other builds and the shiet that I personally like. I do a lot of city driving so I'm going to to keep it light.

Nice bike, i look forward to seeing progress.

Are these Kawi's readily available in the USA? This would be the perfect donor bike for my next project.

 

[hallin222]

Looks good as-is. I'll be checking back in to see where this one is headed.

 

[crackerman]

Picked up a third KZ750 for a pretty good price. Came with a brand new headlight, tires, tank is stripped to raw, new seat, new and directionals. This ones a sort of a half done but the wiring was complete mess and it didn't run. The rear was already cut and the seat fits pretty decent. First thing I did was get her running. Swapped the carbs, coils, battery and used my custom wiring harness. Started right up. Sound pretty good with the 2 into 1 exhaust. I'm putting the other 2 on the back burner and focusing on this one as it's pretty much done. I may keep the red one completely stock.

So far I just added carbs, coils,rear fender, fixed the battery location and re did the mount for the electronics. Gotta fix the fender, add brake lines and finished the wiring. After all that I'll tear her down and get the frame powdered. Here's some pics:

 

[L4NE4]

i like it!

who did your seat?

 

[crackerman]

i like it!

who did your seat?

It was bought from the previous owner. It's a nitrohead sr500 seat. japan.webbike.net sells them. Fits the bike pretty well. Not too comfortable thou.

 

[7aliveatlast7]

dang, you've got a nice little family there!! mind if i ask what you picked up that 3rd one for? thing looks killer, can't wait to see it cleaned up a bit.

 

[crackerman]

Cut the original battery box to mount it the battery sideways. Seems to be sturdy. Mounted the rectifier on the bottom of the battery box. Made a piece to fit my electronics. The tab in the middle is for the fuse box.

Got a box of goodies in from Dime City. New stainless steel brake lines, new rear tail light, some switches, fuel filters, and fuel line. Pulled front caliper apart and it was full of brown doo doo substance. Cleaned the caliper all out and rebuilt it. Should be good to go now. Installed the line and bled the front brake. So far so good. Upcoming plans are to rebuild the rear brake and add the new line, finish installing the rear fender, and test. Since the winter is coming I'll probably pull it part to get the frame powdered. Just want to work out all the kinks first.

 

[crackerman]

Stripped down. Gotta clean the frame up a little then off to get her powdercoated.
Engine will be getting a good cleaning as well.

 

[crackerman]

Welded up some tabs for the rear fender today. Started to grind down unwanted tabs on the frame. Just gotta finish grinding and off to the powdercoat.

Pulled the rear hub some what apart. Not sure what to do with these wheels. Rims are decent, hubs are real dirty, and spokes are a rusty color and doesn't seem like they'll clean up. Got a few options:

1. Drop a bunch of cash that I don't have and get the hub and rims powdered black, new spokes, and relaced.

2. Just get new spokes try to lace these wheels myself. Clean up the hubs and rims the best I can.

3. Leave as is and rock the rusty spoke look. Maybe go back later and address the situation.

 

[crackerman]

Frame and other bits are off to the powder coater. I've been cleaning up the wheels, getting them to look decent but the spokes are not cleaning up too well. I think I'll leave them and maybe re-spoke them later on. I'd like to powdercoat the hubs and rims black and re lace with new spokes but that's going to kill my budget.

Worked on the engine today. On this engine that I'm using, I've replaced the head gasket, pistons ring, value seals and grinded in the values. Ran it for a little while, knowing I need to change the oil. Drained the oil and pulled the pan today and the pan was full of a thick sledge. I'm guess it's the mess from when I was cleaning it the first time. Any way, cleaned out the pan really well and put it back on. Plan is to repaint the engine black and polish all the covers. Polishing is kind of a pain but it looks pretty sweet.

Should have the frame back in a week or so.

 

[cb 400 t]

nice build. i have a 78 kz 750 twin also, im in process of turning it t a brat style also, my question is what size firestons were on that lastbike you got. i want to buy some but wasnt sure if i should go bigger then the stock ones or stay the same sock size. thanks alot and ill be watching

 

[crackerman]

nice build. i have a 78 kz 750 twin also, im in process of turning it t a brat style also, my question is what size firestons were on that lastbike you got. i want to buy some but wasnt sure if i should go bigger then the stock ones or stay the same sock size. thanks alot and ill be watching

I didn't buy the Firestones, they came on the bike when I bought it. Anyway they are 4.00 19" front and 4.00 18" in the rear.

 

[cb 400 t]

thanks for he info, also that polishing came out great

 

[crackerman]

Christmas came early. Picked up the frame and bits from the powdercoater today.

dropped the engine in and slapped the tank and seat on.

 

[cb 400 t]

looking great

 

[crackerman]

Slowly been piecing it back together. I've been getting all new bolts and allen bolts at Home Depot but I'm always missing a few or they don't have what I need. Reinstalled the bearing in the rear swing arm and installed that along with some new lower shocks. Installed sealed bearings in the head set which kinda sucked because I left the old cups in the frame and had to smash them out.

Still need to clean and powder some small pieces. Got some time during the Christmas break so, hopefully by then it will I'll just have the wiring left to do. Pics kinda suck as the lighting is pretty bad in my garage.