1978 Kawasaki KZ 750 Twin Engine

tomos · 05-11-2006

I want to purchase a 1978 Kawasaki KZ 750 Twin, but I am not sure what kind of an engine this bike exactly has? Is it a parallel twin like Yamaha XS 650 or like Norton Commando have or is it something different? I noticed that some people say that it is an inline twin? Is that the same as a parallel twin?
Thanks for your help in advance.

agawam · 05-11-2006

The KZ750B is a side by side twin, I have a 79 and I like it, you aren't gonna win any races with it but for crusin its great.

78_KZ750_Cafe · 05-12-2006

side by side, double overhead cam, both pistons fire simultaneously and a counterbalance shaft works to smooth the vibration.

tomos · 05-12-2006

Thanks to everybody for explanations. Would anybody know how that bike compares to Yamaha XS 650? I wanted to buy a british parallel twin (Norton Commando or Triumph) but they cost alot of money and require constant maintenace so I started looking at Japanese parallel twins. The japanese bikes seem to be alot more reliable at a fraction of the price. Now I am trying to figure out the differences between japanese parellel twins such are , Kawasaki kz 750 twin, Yamaha XS 650 and perhaps Honda CB 500T( I know that the Kawasaki is probably the largest/heaviest of them all). If anybody has any experience with these bikes and could help me with a good comparison I would certainly appreciate it very much.
Thanks to everybody in advance.

elr658 · 05-12-2006

XS650. The others have no aftermarket.

78_KZ750_Cafe · 05-12-2006

I can attest to that. Although, I have to say that this engine is a darling. very pleasant to own/operate and easy to work on.

ebenfrank · 05-13-2006

I believe the KZ750B Twin is what yhe English referred to as a"vertical twin?Any old-timers back me up on this? A tough,reliable,and I believe,collectable bike?

ebenfrank · 05-13-2006

I believe an inline twin is one cylinder right behind the other,sorta like half an Indian 4-cylinder.If I remember correctly,the British"Sunbeam"was a inline twin.

elr658 · 05-13-2006

Vertical twin, two cylinders side by side.
Single overhead cam. Driven by chain. XS650, KZ400-440, XS400
Double Overhead cam. Driven by chain. Shim over bucket. KZ750t
Double Overhead cam. Rocker arm valve actuation. EX250, EX500
Twin cams located in engine block, pushrods. Triumph T100-T140V

05-11-2006	#1 (permalink)
tomos Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2	1978 Kawasaki KZ 750 Twin Engine I want to purchase a 1978 Kawasaki KZ 750 Twin, but I am not sure what kind of an engine this bike exactly has? Is it a parallel twin like Yamaha XS 650 or like Norton Commando have or is it something different? I noticed that some people say that it is an inline twin? Is that the same as a parallel twin? Thanks for your help in advance.

05-11-2006	#2 (permalink)
agawam Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 160	The KZ750B is a side by side twin, I have a 79 and I like it, you aren't gonna win any races with it but for crusin its great. __________________ groups.msn.com/poorboyscafe

05-12-2006	#4 (permalink)
tomos Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2	Kz 750 Twin Engine? Thanks to everybody for explanations. Would anybody know how that bike compares to Yamaha XS 650? I wanted to buy a british parallel twin (Norton Commando or Triumph) but they cost alot of money and require constant maintenace so I started looking at Japanese parallel twins. The japanese bikes seem to be alot more reliable at a fraction of the price. Now I am trying to figure out the differences between japanese parellel twins such are , Kawasaki kz 750 twin, Yamaha XS 650 and perhaps Honda CB 500T( I know that the Kawasaki is probably the largest/heaviest of them all). If anybody has any experience with these bikes and could help me with a good comparison I would certainly appreciate it very much. Thanks to everybody in advance.

05-12-2006	#5 (permalink)
elr658 Eddie Lawson is God! BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seymour,CT Posts: 4,653	XS650. The others have no aftermarket. __________________ 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R1 #658 1983 Honda CB1100F Blue. www.myspace.com/79cb750f

05-13-2006	#9 (permalink)
elr658 Eddie Lawson is God! BTK Expert Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seymour,CT Posts: 4,653	Vertical twin, two cylinders side by side. Single overhead cam. Driven by chain. XS650, KZ400-440, XS400 Double Overhead cam. Driven by chain. Shim over bucket. KZ750t Double Overhead cam. Rocker arm valve actuation. EX250, EX500 Twin cams located in engine block, pushrods. Triumph T100-T140V __________________ 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000R1 #658 1983 Honda CB1100F Blue. www.myspace.com/79cb750f

05-12-2006	#3 (permalink)
78_KZ750_Cafe Burt Munro Is My Hero BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clawson, MI Posts: 652	side by side, double overhead cam, both pistons fire simultaneously and a counterbalance shaft works to smooth the vibration.

05-12-2006	#6 (permalink)
78_KZ750_Cafe Burt Munro Is My Hero BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Clawson, MI Posts: 652	I can attest to that. Although, I have to say that this engine is a darling. very pleasant to own/operate and easy to work on.

05-13-2006	#7 (permalink)
ebenfrank Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9	I believe the KZ750B Twin is what yhe English referred to as a"vertical twin?Any old-timers back me up on this? A tough,reliable,and I believe,collectable bike?

05-13-2006	#8 (permalink)
ebenfrank Newbie Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9	I believe an inline twin is one cylinder right behind the other,sorta like half an Indian 4-cylinder.If I remember correctly,the British"Sunbeam"was a inline twin.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Kawasaki can make you sick.	Uncle Bob	Off Topic	24	01-15-2009 03:00 PM
Kawasaki 250cc Rants&Raves Specialist	ZX-2R	Main Lobby	41	10-12-2007 06:06 PM
Press Release Issued By Kawasaki Motors (January 5, 2005)	2WheelFun	Main Lobby	22	09-08-2007 05:36 PM
2001 Vulcan 750 engine number location?	Tom222	Kawasaki Cruisers	1	07-23-2005 10:18 AM
2002 vulcan 750 engine change	kamafool	The Mechanics Corner	0	12-18-2004 07:20 PM