Pics of my 77 KZ in progress!

[CruisingRam]

Here are the pics of my 77 as it starts it's re-assembly after 16 years! I dis-assembled it back in the winter of 88-89, after buying it back in 84 for 100 bucks in great running condition, used but totally functional and tight. The gear box had some problems, so I pulled the motor, fixed the gear box, and was owed some paint work by a body shop owner friend, so I stripped it down to frame. Well, about the spring, around march, of 89, I bought my V65 Sabre, and lost interest in the KZ. I am cleaning out the garage, and have decided ot assemble this beast. I am missing so much ****, moving around over the years! I have a spare parts bike, a 76 KZ 900, but ther is alot still missing!

[nathan600r]

lol the front picture reminds me of the older cafe racers.

[CruisingRam]

Back in the 80s, just out of the army and my stint with traveling as a backpacker around the world, the KZ was my first vehicle. I got it for 100 bucks off a guy whose buddy died when they were racing. I knew both of them, and they had matching KZs. Not 30 minutes before the accident I had told the guy that the bike is very heavy and not real forgiving, and I wieghed 210 at the time and he wieghed about 120. I use my entire wieght to throw it around, and he just didn't have the skill or the wieght. He was 16, I had known him since he was 7. Well, he didn't make a corner at about 50 and smacked face first into a tree. He died in his buddies arms. His buddy sold his bike, not the wrecked one, to me for 100 bucks. I drove it for the next 4 years every summer, all summer, rain or shine. I took it to Homer to party and fish many, many times, the summer of 87 every single weekend while my buddy was playing in a band down there.

Well, I let a buddy borrow it after much begging, with the condition that "you break it, you fix it, and not you fixing it, a proffessional you will pay"- this went on for a month and he smoked the gear box. He paid to have it fixed, and a guy that owned a body shop owed me a bunch of money. In the deal, he offered to paint this bike. I tore it all down in the winter of 88-89, had it all painted, but bought the V-65, almost brand new, in 1989, April to be exact. So the KZ sat from there on out in storage, only to be resurected this last month! Now e-bay doth robbeth my wallet-th

[gpzrider]

What did we do before Ebay?

[Chromequeen]

Ram, wow what a story. So sad. Great pics, keep them coming! Can't wait to see the finished product.

[CruisingRam]

Wild eh? Will try to post more pics tomorow!

[nathan600r]

Yeah more pics, that red looks great on the frame, what color is the tank going to be?

[brancher]

I rode one of those in '78. Actually, I had just dropped my Honda 450 off at the local japanese shop to be serviced, hooked a ride on the back of one - the guy later let me drive it. Boy, what a big difference - I had discovered my dream bike (although I was never able to buy one)!

The red frame looks nice, I'd like to see the finished product when you are ready!

br

[CruisingRam]

Well, though my title says it is a 77 and it is numbers matching on the VIN, it is actually a 75 Z1 !! I guess it didn't get sold and titled until 77 is what the DMV seems to think? It explains why I was having so much trouble getting 77 KZ parts to fit!

[Nate]

Wow, Cruising, what a sad story. OTOH, it's nice to see you getting back on the project. I haven't seen too many KZs with anything but a black frame so I'm interested to see your finished project.

[CruisingRam]

Here is a pic of the motor before, and the shiny after. We should have finished polishing the motor by the weekend.

[nathan600r]

Looking good.

[Spok]

looks good..didn't realize that pepsi and orange crush were bike rebuild chemicals tho..

[clifftt]

Great job, Ram! Keep up the good work, can't wait to see the finished product!!

[CruisingRam]

Well, bit of a slow down waiting for engine gaskets at this time- really can't move forward until then- soo- I am taking the cyl heads and jugs and having them powder coated either chrome or black, I haven't decided.

[gpzrider]

I don't like to wait for anything, so waiting for cycle parts while the weather just keeps getting better and better.....What a pain! Keep up the good work and thanks for keeping us all up to date.

[CruisingRam]

Well, the motor is in the frame, waiting on carbs now- I am also missing a front brake caliper.

[Chromequeen]

CruisingRam.... Keep the pics coming this is great stuff! Doing awesome! Keep up the good work!