Kz750

[Guest]

I sure agree with the handle bar buzz. I bought an 81 KZ750LTD of all things and did some touring on it. The numbness in my hands was horrible, it lasted in my right for weeks if not a month.

[jeff.saunders]

The Z1 and the KZ750 are very different bikes. While visually they may look similar, internally they are not.

• The KZ750 has a plain bearing crank versus a roller crank on the Z1.
• The KZ750 has a primary chain, the Z1 straight cut gears.
• The Z1 cams run in plain bearings, the KZ750 cam journals are machined into the head.
• The starter motor clutch is in the middle of the engine on the KZ750, it's on the end of the crank on a Z1.
• The KZ750 uses shim under buckets versus the shim over approach on the Z1.

Those last two differences are key - a number of KZ750's sit because the starter clutch replacement is too intimidating for many owners (and too expensive for a shop to do) - and the KZ750 didn't have a kick starter. This was deleted when they jumped from the KZ650 to the KZ750.

Being shim under, you have to remove the cams to adjust the valve clearance - this is also beyond many owners, so it's not unusual to find these bikes with zero valve clearance and running very rough.

Overall the KZ750 is a great bike - very nimble with good handling.

[ron bayless]

jeff, I can tell by your avitar how you would know all this.I have 2 mk 2 engines, are you jealous?

[winfield]

• The starter motor clutch is in the middle of the engine on the KZ750, it's on the end of the crank on a Z1.
• The KZ750 uses shim under buckets versus the shim over approach on the Z1.

Those last two differences are key - a number of KZ750's sit because the starter clutch replacement is too intimidating for many owners (and too expensive for a shop to do) - and the KZ750 didn't have a kick starter. This was deleted when they jumped from the KZ650 to the KZ750.

Being shim under, you have to remove the cams to adjust the valve clearance - this is also beyond many owners, so it's not unusual to find these bikes with zero valve clearance and running very rough.

Is this also true of the 1980-82 KZ550? I can't see a kick starter in the pic on CL or when I look at other pics online. I am referring to the starter motor clutch in the center of the engine and the difficult valve adjustment issue you mentioned with the KZ750. Thanks.

[Nessism]

KZ550 are shim under bucket, as are most modern bikes. Kind of a pain, but more durable than rocker arm shaft engines.

[850 Combat]

KZ550 are shim under bucket, as are most modern bikes. Kind of a pain, but more durable than rocker arm shaft engines.

What about the starter clutch location?

[Big T]

Is this also true of the 1980-82 KZ550? I can't see a kick starter in the pic on CL or when I look at other pics online. I am referring to the starter motor clutch in the center of the engine and the difficult valve adjustment issue you mentioned with the KZ750. Thanks.

Yes ---------

[850 Combat]

Yes ---------

Off the list.

[jeff.saunders]

The biggest issue with the KZ550's is the very strange TK carbs... they are a good bike to ride - you have to buzz the motor to get them moving, but they are fun for the back roads.

[jwhelan65]

Of the little Kawi's I like this one, been on the hunt for one for quite some time..

http://www.greatoldbikes.com/motorcycles/1984kawasakikz700.htm

[850 Combat]

The biggest issue with the KZ550's is the very strange TK carbs... they are a good bike to ride - you have to buzz the motor to get them moving, but they are fun for the back roads.

My neighbor bought a brand new 550 in Denver, 1981. We rode from there to So Cal, and up the coast to the Bay area, camped in Yosemite, then he split back to Denver and I got a job in Pasadena. it was fun. I rode it some. It was ok. This wasn't a GPZ. I was on my 850 Commando on that trip. The bikes weighed about the same. The little one 20 pounds or so heavier.

[Griffin]

Of the little Kawi's I like this one, been on the hunt for one for quite some time..

http://www.greatoldbikes.com/motorcy...asakikz700.htm

I like that one too, and would love to find it, or it's non-tariffed older brother from 1983:

[jwhelan65]

I like that one too, and would love to find it, or it's non-tariffed older brother from 1983:

Yep love the paint scheme

[Griffin]

Yep love the paint scheme

I screams "I love the Eighties!".

I used to have an '82 GS750E with the black/red/orange getup, and my GS650E also has that color scheme.

I'm going to look at a CB900F Saturday that has the screaming paint job too:

[koolaid_kid]

I like that one too, and would love to find it, or it's non-tariffed older brother from 1983:

This bike, known as the KZ750 L3, is a 1982 GPz with different bodywork and instrumentation. The paint scheme is eye catching, to be sure.