1985 Kawasaki GPz750 needs refresh

[Nessism]

Could your carbs have a Dynojet kit installed? I say that because Dynojet has a different numbering scheme than Mikuni, and the numbers are higher. If those are 185 Mikuni mains, I'm surprised the bike would even run.

At KZ Rider, your first post must be an introduction, or the mods get mad. And I agree with getting an airbox. Hope you can find one.

[Buffalo Bill]

On KZ Rider, you can download the factory service manual. Like Suzuki, Kawasaki published a full first year manual, then a supplement for each year after, showing changes. You may need to join the site in order to download. It's a nice site. Huge knowledge on the early big KZ's there. Less on the 750's, but enough to be helpful.

Hey I have done some surfing for info on KZ Rider, but they haven't accepted my application yet.
This GPz I bought has pod filters, with 185 main jets and an unfinished job leaving the EPA system half connected.
On KZ Rider I found a post about pods with one responder including a 1983 Cycle World test comparing pods to stock airbox on a dyno and at a drag strip.
Bike used was a Suzuki GS 1100E.
Conclusion was, pods on the dyno had slightly more peak HP, but gave up power in low and midrange. Pods had a half sec. slower ET time than base stock bike.

My own conclusion is: buy an airbox on ebay pronto.

[Nessism]

On KZ Rider, you can download the factory service manual. Like Suzuki, Kawasaki published a full first year manual, then a supplement for each year after, showing changes. You may need to join the site in order to download. It's a nice site. Huge knowledge on the early big KZ's there. Less on the 750's, but enough to be helpful.

[Buffalo Bill]

The damage to repair, will need some color coded wire.

q8Kp5KJ.jpg

[Buffalo Bill]

Mouse tomb…
Found the remains of 2 here, plus another one carbonized under the battery.
Used the garden hose to wash away the Harkonnen stench.

nOrqzEY.jpg

[Buffalo Bill]

That site https://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za is an excellent info source, but has a few small quirks,

[Nessism]

The Cycle World article is missing pages. It skips from page 74 to 78. Still good to read, though.

[GS1150Pilot]

Not riding it yet, but learning some about it.
It is long and slim with low mounted pegs, good wind protection. It's a sport tourer maybe one of the first.
Wayne Rainey won the 1983 AMA SuperBike Chanpionship with a GPz750 built by Rob Muzzy.

Here's a link to a Cycle World Test article

So weird: The article shows up correctly, but the search topic in my search bar shows "Honda VF700 Magna."

[Buffalo Bill]

That long production history of the GPz engine reminds me of the air/oil cooled GSXR engine.

[Nessism]

Not riding it yet, but learning some about it.
It is long and slim with low mounted pegs, good wind protection. It's a sport tourer maybe one of the first.
Wayne Rainey won the 1983 AMA SuperBike Chanpionship with a GPz750 built by Rob Muzzy.

Here's a link to a Cycle World Test article

Maybe a sport touring bike by more modern standards, but when Kawasaki built that thing, it was a super sport.

The 750 started as a 650, launching in 1977. Kawasaki bored it out, launching the 750 in 1980. They added GPz's, cruisers, Turbo's, shaft drive versions, Zepher's in the 1990's, and finally the ZR-7, which endured into the 2005 model. Very few models have the long legacy of these bikes. Only one I can think of that's longer, is the big KZ 900/1000/1100, which went, in cop bike form, well into the 2000's as well.

[Buffalo Bill]

Not riding it yet, but learning some about it.
It is long and slim with low mounted pegs, good wind protection. It's a sport tourer maybe one of the first.
Wayne Rainey won the 1983 AMA SuperBike Chanpionship with a GPz750 built by Rob Muzzy.

Here's a link to a Cycle World Test article

[Nessism]

Something about that Kawi 750 motor does it for me. Years ago, I found a pristine '82 GPz 750 for a work colleague and thought Hmm, what am I doing finding, fixing, and giving this gem to him? I rode liter bikes mainly due to my oafish dimensions, but that 750 charmed the hell out of me. I think it's one of the best air-cooled engines I've ever ridden. Good power, smooth, loves the revs. Have fun!

The later GPz's like this one are good for bigger guys, because the seat to bars reach is pretty long. Not sure about leg room, though. The pegs are pretty far back. This bike has higher lift cams compared to most other KZ750's also.

[dorkburger]

Oooh, nice. The complete set of matching body panels is a plus.

[oldGSfan]

Something about that Kawi 750 motor does it for me. Years ago, I found a pristine '82 GPz 750 for a work colleague and thought Hmm, what am I doing finding, fixing, and giving this gem to him? I rode liter bikes mainly due to my oafish dimensions, but that 750 charmed the hell out of me. I think it's one of the best air-cooled engines I've ever ridden. Good power, smooth, loves the revs. Have fun!

[Buffalo Bill]

Hang in there Rob…