Progress Photos of my 1977 KZ1000A frame up restoration by Redline Cycle Service

[spyman]

Back in September I hired this company to do a frame up restoration of a 1977 KZ1000A. This guy has been dealing in this vintage of bike for the last 34 years and probably has one of the largest stores of NOS, new, used , parts in the country. Check their web site out at Redline Cycle Service, Inc. - Homepage.

Anyway, I am chomping at the bit to get the bike done and in my hot little hands

He started with a complete bike and is rebuilding it completely. Some of the upgrades include: Wiseco 1075cc big bore kit; 34mm Mikuni Flat Slide Carbs; 2 inch oversize swingarm; Progressive 12 series rear shocks; Lester Mags; Kerker 4-1 ceramic coated header with large comp. baffle; Web cam 119 grind cams; all new hardware on engine with bead blast finish; polished eng. cases; new guages (restored to new); new switches; upgrade steering head bearings and swing arm bearings.........etc.

Here are some photos of the progress!!

[elr658]

As the OFFICIAL KZ1000 guy, let me be the first to say NICE!!!!

[antiq]

Man I'm Sooo jealous! That is going to be sweet. A better than new 1977 bike.

[antiq]

OOps! Where are my manners? Welcome!!!

[spyman]

Thanks elr658 and antiq. I surely don't want to make anybody feel bad or jealous, its just that I am so excited about this bike and I know this is the only place that I can share the enthusiasm with people that will appreciate it.

I also have some photos I will post of a bike belonging to a gentleman in Mansfied, Oh that Redline Cycle did for him. It is also a 1977KZ1000A LTD.
This bike has similar specs to mine except he went with stock cams and spoke wheels. Enjoy!!

[RDshaky]

I'm sure the guy is gonna do you a real bang up job, I'm gonna send Redline a e-mail concerning a duel front set up for mine. I've always wanted it. Keep us posted..

[Tod]

Based on the pictures, they appear to be doing a VERY nice job on the restoration for you. It should be worth every penny.

You're gonna be one happy guy when it's finished.

[gpzrider]

Nice bikes.

[sebastian1000]

Man o Man is that purty! Very Very cool my friend!
-S

[spyman]

I'm glad you guys are enjoying the photos. I appreciate the support.

[Skunkwurcx]

Heya, the bike is looking good. I've been looking in on their site since I bought my KZ last year. They seem to do nice work.

Could you do me a favour and ask them what they did to accomadate the front signal stems into the headlight bracket ? It appears that they have discarded the traditional headlight ears(for the "A" model) and used a LTD style headlight bracket. My bracket just has a round hole on each side, and the signal stem has a diamond shaped key. So what did they do, grind the diamond round, or slot the bracket ? Or something else maybe ?

Anyways, looking good and welcome to the forum !!!

[spyman]

Hey Skunkwurcx, I won't be talking to Redline Cycle for a bit. Feel free to call their toll free number and talk the owner, Jim. Nice guy and will answer these questions for you. Their number is (877)271-9292. Thanks.

[elr658]

Hey Skunk, the diamond is in the turn signal grommet. Round to fit ears, diamond inside.

I applaud big restos.

[antiq]

They definitely get a shine on the motor! I expect you'll be one very happy camper when you get your baby back.

[Skunkwurcx]

Originally Posted by elr658

Hey Skunk, the diamond is in the turn signal grommet. Round to fit ears, diamond inside.

I applaud big restos.

Heya ELR, and thanks. You are correct about the grommets as far as the "A" or standard model goes. On that model, both the grommets and the Chrome headlight ears are keyed to accept the stem. On the LTD, the signals were mounted on the handlebars. The headlight was mounted using a simple "U" shaped bracket that only has round holes in both the bracket(at least the one on my bike does) and also the grommets. No ears were used. On Spyman's bike it looks as though they have used the LTD bracket, or one that looks like that anyway, they have eliminated the ears.

I'll call Redline and see what they have done here. I need to do something like that too as I have replaced the LTD bars with superbike bars

[Skunkwurcx]

Just got off the phone with Jim at Redline, Spyman, you're right, nice guy and really helpful. They use a special signal stem that does not have the diamond. I've ordered a cpl from him, unfortunately, they are back ordered. Oh well, with any luck, now my signal relocation problem is solved (maybe)

[herk]

Skunkwurcx, could you post the part numbers for the stems & the stem grommets?
I moved my turn signals to the headlite using the diamond stems & diamond grommets,
but something w a cleaner look would be preferable.
Thanks. JMK.

P.S. The Redline Cycle Service restoration pics say it all. Golly gee

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[Skunkwurcx]

Originally Posted by herk

Skunkwurcx, could you post the part numbers for the stems & the stem grommets?
I moved my turn signals to the headlite using the diamond stems & diamond grommets, but something w a cleaner look would be preferable.
Thanks. JMK.

P.S. The Redline Cycle Service restoration pics say it all. Golly gee.

Herk Herk Herk....sorry, was having a flashback to some cartoon which I can't even remember the name of.... maybe it for the better

Anyways, herk, I didn't get a part number for the stems, but the grommets and ground collar that are needed can be had here from Z1 Enterprises.. Grommet Set - Z1 KZ900 ----------- from Z1 Enterprises, Inc.

or from Redline.. Blank Page This link does work even though it displays "blank page".

I checked a while back with my local Kawi dealer and these are still current parts, the grommets etc that is.

These are the Kawi part numbers:

92075-128 - Signal Damper rubber
23076-005 - Signal Collar
23066-016 - Inner Signal Damper
23066-015 - Outer Signal Damper

I don't know what the part number is for the chrome bit that Z1 is showing....Kawasaki's online parts fische do-flicky is on the fritz.

Jim from Redline explained that these bits are thinner than the ones in the LTD, and allow the threaded stud from the signal stem to pass through into the headlight and still have some meat left to thread on the retaining nut in the headlight bucket. The stems from Redline are $12.95 a piece. If you live in the States, their toll free number that Spyman listed will work for you....not so much for me up here in slush covered Eastern Canada

[OKC_Kent]

Congratulations, you'll have a nice custom ride when it's done.

[spyman]

thanks OKC,,,I can't wait