New Project Bike

[DenyP]

I just traded for a 1980 Kawasaki KZ750. It has just a little over 9K on the clock, but it has been sitting in a barn for years. On it's last run the PO's brother rolled it.



Any one here had any experience with a KZ750?

Deny

[3Phase]

Any one here had any experience with a KZ750?

Ouch, what a mess! The first bike I bought new from a dealership was a Candy Persimmon Red 1981 KZ750. There were only a few cosmetic changes between the '80 and '81 models. Mine was rather fond of drive chains, sprockets and rear tires but that could have just been me. Make sure you check the frame and swingarm before you dive in and try to fix it up.

Engine is 738cc and it'ss basically a punched out version of Kawasaki's 650 engine. Iyhas Hitachi CV carburetors, a transistor controlled ignition and air-adjustable front forks.

The valve train is almost bullet-proof because Kawasaki put the valve shims under the valve buckets so it's less likely to spit a shim if you over rev the engine and float the valves. It also makes it a hassle to adjust the valves because you have to remove the camshafts to change shims.

It should have a pair of reed-style air induction valves in the front half of the valve cover and a simple vacuum line connecting all four carbs together (a crude version of Yamaha's YICS) for the Kawasaki Clean Air System (KCAS) along with a singe vacuum-operated fuel tank petcock. The ignition key unlocks the seat and there is a glove/utility box in the tail light housing.

[barberad]

not my bike...but maybe it will motivate you

[DenyP]

Thanks for the response guys! I wasn't looking for this bike, it found me. My 13 year old nephew wanted my old International pickup that has been sitting in the woods since the late 70's. He and his dad showed up in my yard last weekend with this beast in the bucket of their bobcat offering to trade. I don't think it is as bad as it looks, time will tell.

Deny