1981 Kawasaki KZ750 Resurrection

[Vmass]

Ohlins look great on the bike. Looking forward to your report on how it improves the ride and handling.

[ron bayless]

You have spent a lot of money on that bike.But the overall look is worth it.Cheaper than a 20,000 dollar diavel.

[Nessism]

Ohlins look great on the bike. Looking forward to your report on how it improves the ride and handling.

Haven't had a chance to hit the mountains yet but I love these shocks for normal riding and commuting. The ride is smooth and rolling over rougher surfaces like railroad tracks is almost a pleasure. I find myself looking for rough pavement to blast over just because.

I took my GS1000 out for a ride the other day and while I really enjoy it, I like riding this KZ more. It's just so much smaller and lighter. A real pleasure to ride.

[rudeman]

As expected...Nice work, Ed!

[salty_monk]

Nice Ed! I wonder if those shocks will show up the front end now? You might need to invest in a set of cartridge emulators.....

[Nessism]

Nice Ed! I wonder if those shocks will show up the front end now? You might need to invest in a set of cartridge emulators.....

Thanks for reminding me Dan. Need to set up an ebay search to find some...

[salty_monk]

Aren't they 35mm forks? I bet the MikesXS one will work most likely....

[Nessism]

Aren't they 35mm forks? I bet the MikesXS one will work most likely....

36mm

There is a set of Race Tech's on ebay for $95 shipped. I'm tempted...

[SVSooke]

My 83 GPZ750 has 36mm forks,of course the KZ may be different.Tried my PDF manual but fork size wasn't in the spec's
Edit:yeah the KZ is 36mm to.

[Guest]

Hi Ed
I've been away from the forum for a few months so haven't seen the pics of the finished bike before today... so just wanted to say amazing work!

BTW, interesting comment you made that the bike handles like a scooter compared to the GS...

[Nessism]

Hi Ed
I've been away from the forum for a few months so haven't seen the pics of the finished bike before today... so just wanted to say amazing work!

BTW, interesting comment you made that the bike handles like a scooter compared to the GS...

Thanks Ivor! The scooter reference is in large part because the KZ is so much lighter than my GS1000. GS's for the most part are superior handling bikes compared to KZ's, but I think the 650/750 KZ's are the exception. They can hold their own.

My next project for this bike is painting and installation of a GPz style Maier faring. I want to fabricate some nice mounts so it doesn't look cobbled together. Coming soon...

[Nessism]

Haven't gotten around to looking at the fairing yet but pulled the trigger on some Race Tech emulators. Got a good price on a set off ebay, plus there is a $20 off coupon right now. Hoping the suspension compliance will improve a little up front. At any rate, something more to play with.

And speaking of playing, the valve train on this bike was a little noisy so I want through the valve clearances again and tightened things up. The speced clearance is quite a bit wider than the Suzuki GS's (.10-.18mm vs. .03-.08) even though the designs are very similar. Tightened them all up to target the lower half of the spec range. Not worried about them being too tight considering the considerable clearance. After tweaking the clearances engine sounds less clattery. Good stuff.

[Griffin]

Ed, have you noticed any gear train whine that seems loud compared to a GS? I've owned three of these bikes now ('82 750E, '84 GPZ750, '84 KZ700A, all of them under 25,000 miles)) and they all have exhibited a bit of whine to the tranny, particularly noticeable on downshifts.

[Nessism]

Ed, have you noticed any gear train whine that seems loud compared to a GS? I've owned three of these bikes now ('82 750E, '84 GPZ750, '84 KZ700A, all of them under 25,000 miles)) and they all have exhibited a bit of whine to the tranny, particularly noticeable on downshifts.

Brett, Kawasaki uses straight cut gears between the secondary shaft and clutch, and straight cut gears make some whine noise. Suzuki GS's use helical cut gears, which are quieter. Problem with helical gears is they causes a thrust load, that's why some of the GS drag racer guys convert their clutch hub gear to straight cut like a KZ uses. Guess what I'm trying to say is yes, my bike makes that same noise. I sort of like it.

[Griffin]

It certainly lets you know when you've shifted gears.