'82 GPZ750R1; what should I do?

[OzJavelin]

OK I bought a complete, original, running '82 GPZ750R1 cheap (sight unseen) .. and I love it. It's the style of bike I've always wanted (behind a Z900 which I can't afford right now). It starts and runs and rides OK, but the closer I investigate the more "issues" I find.
1. It has the usual Kawaka primary chain rumble. This doesn't worry me so much but if I have to perform any other major work on it I probably should look at that too.
2. It is a little smokey. Revving it hard(ish) at idle when cold you get some smoke. Seems to get better when warm.
3. No#3 cyl is down on compression (possibly the cause of item#2?)
4. Both mufflers are rusted out internally (found that one last night)
5. It's generally messy. Complete and eveything works, but everything needs a clean, pain, etc ..

I'm in two minds about it. One is to leave as is and get it registered and ride around for awhile. All the items I've listed above probably won't affect getting it registered; it will just look like a bit of a rat-bike. Otherwise tt seems like a good basis for an ELR paintjob, Wiseco810 conversion and a 4-to-1 exhaust .. it's a lot more effort than I was planning on?

Opinions? Take the time/money to fix it up or just ride it as-is?

[MFolks]

PJ-1 makes some good engine spray paint that will help clean up the look of your new bike. I'd check the valve clearances before tearing it down for engine work(if you're going to).

A set of case savers can prevent major damage if you drop it.

Here's some websites too look at:

Engine Builders
APE
BORE TECH, Cylinder repair specialists and performance engine builders for modern and vintage motorcycles.
Flowbench Technology
Fast By Gast - High Performance Motorcycle Parts
Gardner Racing Concepts
Schnitz Motorsports, Inc.
Valley Speed Machine Shop Ltd. — Kamloops BC
RACETOOLZ.COM
http://www.carolinacycle.net/index.p...d =3&catID=84
Parts & Accessories
kawasaki vintage motorcycle part, kawasaki classic motorcycle, streetfighter part, motor bike part - AmericanClassix.com
Z1 Enterprises, Inc. - Specializing in Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Parts
APE
DYNOMAN PERFORMANCE - motorcycle performance products
Redline Cycle Service, Inc. - Homepage
KZ Zone
Reproduction Decals Home 1
Vintage Kawasaki OEM NOS Motorcycle ATV & Jet Ski Parts Street & Dirt (Powered by CubeCart)
Sudco International - Modern and Vintage Replacment and Performance parts for Street Bikes, Dirt Bikes, ATVs and Personal Watercraft

[kawpaul]

Welcome to the world of vintage bikes. From the pic it does not look like the body needs painting. Clean it up throw some paint on the engine, and maybe the wheels depending on how well they clean up, and ride it for awhile. Since you are down under you are just getting into the riding season so I would ride away and maybe during winter rebuild the engine. Unless the smoking gets much worse I would just wait on tearing into it and enjoy it for a few months and get to know her.

[Mcdroid]

Well, your bike, your choice...but I also have one and it is a one-year wonder. First year (and only year) for the GPz750 with twin shocks. European and Australian import 1982 GPz750's got the red wheels while North American imports received black wheels. Replacement parts (OEM, aftermarket, and used) are readily available (at least in North America)...my take is that restoration parts are more expensive in Oz. They made approximately 12,500 of them for a world-wide distribution and I'd guess most have been crashed or trashed. Unfortunately, despite the declining numbers of these, the model has not really appreciated in value too much so you won't retire if you sell your restoration. If you want to see what an ELR conversion based on a KZ750R1 looks like, there is a fine representative on www.kz1000r.com

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by Mcdroid

Well, your bike, your choice...but I also have one and it is a one-year wonder. First year (and only year) for the GPz750 with twin shocks. European and Australian import 1982 GPz750's got the red wheels while North American imports received black wheels. Replacement parts (OEM, aftermarket, and used) are readily available (at least in North America)...my take is that restoration parts are more expensive in Oz.

Interesting information there ..

Originally Posted by Mcdroid

They made approximately 12,500 of them for a world-wide distribution and I'd guess most have been crashed or trashed. Unfortunately, despite the declining numbers of these, the model has not really appreciated in value too much so you won't retire if you sell your restoration. If you want to see what an ELR conversion based on a KZ750R1 looks like, there is a fine representative on www.kz1000r.com

I'm used to that. I a right-hand-drive '69 AMC Javelin (1-of-4 which is worth nothing, a left-hand-drive '74 AMC Javelin (last of the model) which is also worth nothing .. and a '70 Plymouth FuryIII convertible (1-of-1950'ish and last year for full sized 'verts) worth nothing

I really do love this bike. My original logic was to paint it and clean it up and see how it went. The engine and exhaust problems are a bit of a spanner in the works but maybe I'll just see how it goes?

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

My original logic was to paint it and clean it up and see how it went. The engine and exhaust problems are a bit of a spanner in the works but maybe I'll just see how it goes?

IMO you should get it running right or mechanically sound before you start investing time and money into appearances. A pretty bike that you can't ride is pretty worthless. It's like putting perfume on a pig, it annoys the pig and waste your time because in the end you still have a pig.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by StarGate

IMO you should get it running right or mechanically sound before you start investing time and money into appearances. A pretty bike that you can't ride is pretty worthless. It's like putting perfume on a pig, it annoys the pig and waste your time because in the end you still have a pig.

Fair enough ..

[kawpaul]

Originally Posted by StarGate

IMO you should get it running right or mechanically sound before you start investing time and money into appearances. A pretty bike that you can't ride is pretty worthless. It's like putting perfume on a pig, it annoys the pig and waste your time because in the end you still have a pig.

Well I been cleaning up my pig for awhile while waiting on parts, or funds for said parts. Before I knew if the engine would even turn over by starter I was going through the brakes and had put new tires on her.
All the while telling myself I should make sure first. Well yesterday I lit a fire under the pig with a new battery and found that I need to tinker with the carbs some more. Not idling right but after a shot of starter fluid she fired right up with the old plugs and man does she sound sweet, and strong. 9935 miles so I was willing to chance it. Also checked the compression on a couple holes just out of curiosity. Tighted the hose on one with pliers and got 180. Finger tightened on the #3 hole and got 170 something. I was happy with that and did not even bother checking the left side. Manual says 162-191 with as low as 124 being servicable. Tomorrow hope to get it running right and take her for a lil spin.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by kawpaul

9935 miles so I was willing to chance it.

In Australia we seem to be getting a lot of American imported, older Japanese motorbikes with typically less than 10,000miles on them. Most local bikes I've looked at of the same vintage have at least 40,000miles on them (my GPZ has 29,000miles which seems very good for the age .. my ZR550 has aover 40,000miles). Obviously our Aussie weather means we get out riding more!