KZ Owners

[inline4]

Wow! I can't believe I haven't noticed this thread before.
Although it won't be pic-worthy 'till late spring/early summer, I'm building a streetfighter based on a 1974 Z1A.
There sure are a lot of familiar names on this thread as well. How is everyone?
I do own a "later" version of a KZ750 4-cylinder, a 2001 ZR-7S.

[dropdfocus]

Very nice '01 ZR! I'd still like to owner a newer bike (preferably fuel injected for those colder riding days & Plug-n-play tuning) but I still love my old skool mutt.

[rbishop]

I currently own a 1978 KZ650SR and really like it. Cannot wait for winter to get over so I can take it out.

[mark mccarrick]

i have a 80 ltd 1000 has a 1040 motor. also a zir 1000. 76 kz900..love these bikes all in nice condition..

[arobsum]

to state the obvious.."they aren't making these old kz's anymore". these bikes are getting rarer and rarer. i have the only 2 that i know of in my area.

[thermis56]

i got a 1982 kz 305 csr b1

[r2kool4u]

Nice inline4

[beardking]

Here is my current project. Not much to look at now, but I'm hoping that it'll turn into something decent. If not, it only cost me a shotgun that I wasn't using.

[Svetlana]

Originally Posted by beardking

Here is my current project. Not much to look at now, but I'm hoping that it'll turn into something decent. If not, it only cost me a shotgun that I wasn't using.

Will be a great project for sure! Keep us posted w/ updates

[wiredgeorge]

wiredgeorge's 79 KZ1000E1 ST:

[CTRider]

It's not mine, but I get to borrow my sister's 79' KZ-200 now and then. It's a great little bike and hauls my skinny behind around with ease. Here it is parked next to my Brother-in-Law's FJR on a ride we took in the Fall of 2005:



Here I am in the pilot's seat:



It has a minor little dent in the right side of the gas tank, but is otherwise in excellent condition.

[ratvespa]

81 LTD1000, ugly, cost me 300 bucks, and has lasted me 2 years now. It's boring to drive, but is comfy and get's me to work.

also have a 85 KZ750E TURBO I am working on, have the engine pulled and need to have the head's redone. Can't wait to get that beast on the road.

[PNKFLYD]

I have a 1981 KZ440 LTD that I am turning into a Cafe Racer. Also a 1979 KZ400 LTD that is donating alot of her parts for the 440. This is what my 440 looked like l when I 1st got it and again after I did some work but right now shes apart in my garage waiting for a few parts. This summer after its done I'll be sure and post the pics..





OK this is it with 85% of the mods done.

[Alibi]

Wow... that yellow is very...um... loud?

I did some homework before I got my 82 440 and found that they are fairly popular to restore, and wow is that true. In the last couple weeks that I've been a member on this board I think there have been 4 new members (me included) with a kz440 project.

I've posted this pic once before, but I'll post it again anyway of my project



Hmm... we should start a kz440 sticky or parts thread or something...

[darkwolf29a]

Nice bikes. Any old KZ is a good one. Personally, I can't see myself getting rid of my 650...I have fallen in love with the old girl.

[arobsum]

Originally Posted by darkwolf29a

Nice bikes. Any old KZ is a good one. Personally, I can't see myself getting rid of my 650...I have fallen in love with the old girl.

same here! it would be like asking me to cut off one of my arms.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by darkwolf29a

Nice bikes. Any old KZ is a good one. Personally, I can't see myself getting rid of my 650...I have fallen in love with the old girl.

I keep trying to convince my sister to sell me hers....

[Cave Man]

Hello. I have a 1979 KZ1000 LTD that I am currently restoring (not quite completed). Thx.

[Nate]

Originally Posted by dropdfocus

I've looked into a magnetic block heater which my local Advance Auto Parts carries for $25.

I'm not so sure that will work too well as the engine blocks in the KZs are aluminum.

Probably the best method is to keep it in a garage that stays fairly warm. These older bikes are hard starting in the cold due to having leaned out carburetion to meet emission standards of the late '70s and early '80s.

OT, I do own a couple of KZs myself. I bought my 650 SR in April 2004 and spent most of the summer getting it road worthy which I finished in the spring of 2005. I've not done much to it since although I added crash bars late last summer. I now have sitting beside me new stainless brake lines from HEL USA that arrived today and a new petcock kit. These are two "must do" upgrades before this season. A Dyna S will probably get fitted in the future. After that it should need little but routine maintenance.



My "project" bike is also a 650 that I picked up last year. I did quite a bit of work on it last summer and more needs to be done. So long as I have my SR to ride, this one will be done at a more leisurely pace. I spent more time than money on it last year, but it needs a new chain and rear tire. New petcock, and probably a Dyna S as it just wouldn't idle smooth on one coil (per the timing light). I have to helicoil one of the cam tensioner mounting bolts. And it will need a paint job at some point. I hope to have it rideable yet this summer.

[OKC_Kent]

I have a couple

I'm working on this project now, an 83 750 F1 shaft.


and my daily rider a 78 650 B2