1980 KZ1300 - Bad Day at the Office

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calif wingnut
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build-Post-Ride Report

#556

Post by calif wingnut »

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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Something Needs Rectified....

#557

Post by Lucien Harpress »

...actually, I need the regulator and the rectifier BOTH. Did a couple of test to see why my battery wasn't charging, and while I got plenty of voltage out of the stator (and no shorts, that I could tell), my regulator/rectifier looks toast. Replacements are available, all they way from $20 questionable stock ones, up to $150 brand-new aftermarket ones that don't even have the correct amount of wires.

Regardless, a "new" one will have to wait until next paycheck (next week). Put a wire out on the KZ1300 forum. Hopefully somebody is willing to trade engine parts...

On a positive note, I got my clutch pull figured out. Apparently, there was a THIRD clutch adjustment I didn't know about. I was basically over-pulling the small arm the cable is attached to, and getting it stuck. A small adjustment later, and everything is right in the world.

Still have to jump the fuel sending unit wires together to see if I have a gauge or sending unit problem, but that's minor. My water pump oil seal is ordered, and that's all I'm waiting on.

Once everything is settled I'll do a quick carb run-through- check plug colors for idle mix, and do a quick sync- but truth be told, she is VERY close right now. Might get some riding in, first. ;)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Ride Report (pt. deux)

#558

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Managed to snag a salvage regulator/rectifier off Ebay for 25 bucks, and got it in and wired today after I got home from work. 13.6 volts on the battery (while running) later, and we were ready for another test ride.

The other good news is that my fuel gauge DOES work- it just didn't have enough gas in it to register before. Popped down to the gas station, put a couple gallons in, and ended up doing a loop of about 15-20 miles. So, bad first- I'll definitely need to do a idle mix adjustment and sync at some point. We're getting some weird popping and burbling on acceleration and decelleration. However, because it's a six cylinder, if there's any issues the other 5 pistons kind of power through it and keep going until the problem fixes itself. BUT, on to the good.

The weight is entirely managable. If I get going too slow (10 mph) the slow-speed turning characteristics take some getting used to, but once you're moving it's not harder than any other bike I own. Shocks are surprisingly good- quite floaty for a bike this weighty. Much better than my GL1000 (four years newer too, but hey). But, as always, the star of the show is the motor. Great sound, and the roll-on performance is just mind-boggling. I had it at 55, in 5th gear (about 4000 rpm), and I goosed the throttle a bit. Bike still shot off, and the front end got REALLY light- I'd compare it to an early GL1000 in 4th, pulling over 5K on the tach, ie right in the powerband. There is a LOT of motor to this bike, and it's going to be kid gloves for a while, I think.

I'll have to check the finances to see if I can get it plated this week. I'll probably take my GL1200 off my insurance and replace it with the KZ, at least until I can get the former painted. I still need to replace the water pump oil seal, but that should be showing up sometime next week at the latest. I can ride it until then, though. It'll be nice to do a bit of joyridin- er, breaking the piston rings in. Yeah. That. ;)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Ride Report (pt. deux)

#559

Post by salukispeed »

It is awesome to see the progress you have made. Sounds like you have a great ride and will enjoy the heck out of it.
Been a long road for sure.
Congratulations
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Ride Report (pt. deux)

#560

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Thanks. My biggest disappointment is that, at the and this road, there isn't a triumphant exhilaration, but the relief of "Finally".

What I think it needs now is miles. After my little jaunt, I didn't see any oil leakage from the water pump. I'll still replace that seal when I get it, but that's promising. There's a strange disconnect, too- I feel like there's more to fix, even if there (hopefully) isn't.

Now I just have to get it legal and RIDE THE DARNED THING!
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Ride Report (pt. deux)

#561

Post by desertrefugee »

Very nice to hear road reports from that beast.

The disconnect you're feeling is the road calling. Stop with the nutty 15 mile jaunts, get the thing registered, bungee on some camping gear and head up the Lake shore for a few days. What better way to seat in those rings?

Trust me, this Winter, you will be VERY glad you did.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#562

Post by Lucien Harpress »

As the updated title indicates, I'm calling a wrap-up of this little (ha!) project thread. Oh, I still have some minor issues- got some funky idle-mix issues going on, and of the three cutoff valves it sounds like none of them work, and I still have to get the fuel line routing figured out, but you know what?

None of that matters right now. I've got an awesome bike, in once piece. All the fluids stay inside, at all speeds and temperatures. It's also plated, has nearly 100 miles under my butt, has killer performance, and is an awesome piece of history as well.

Image

I decided to ride up north a bit, annoy all the lake trash- er..... lake PEOPLE with a bit of 1980's noise pollution. Dodging thunderstorms the whole way, I think it was an excellent way to cap things off.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Big shout-out to everybody who helped me on this little adventure, all the way from getting it to Michigan from Idaho, to walking me through my very first engine rebuild (you know who you are). This is a bike that came from Idaho, has half a motor from Maryland, and finally found a home in Michigan. Kind of cool, when you think about it.

I still got stuff to pick at, and I'll probably pop back in with updates on the Kiwi from time to time, but for now, I'll let everyone get back to the regularly scheduled Goldwings.

As for me? I'll probably take it easy and try to remember what NOT spending money feels like.

Image

:crosso
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#563

Post by rainstromrider »

Looks like a boat launch in Fenton? Awesome work getting it rolling!

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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#564

Post by Oldewing »

Once again, standing and clapping, great show, loved every post of it. Enjoy the big 6, I know we have.
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Other times we just hug.......

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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#565

Post by Track T 2411 »

action1 dancr action1 dancr action1 dancr :crosso :crosso :crosso
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#566

Post by Rat »

Well done ..... come up for air ......

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calif wingnut
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#567

Post by calif wingnut »

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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#568

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I've seen bikes in that condition go for 5 grand, or more. Probably the most desirable year (due to the speedometer, although a lot of guys like the later models, that had fuel injection and 10 extra HP), and that ones looks real clean. Did just notice the fuel solenoid is piped backwards, which made me laugh.... :lol:

As for mine- still have the small issues to iron out, but they don't hinder riding performance really at all. Currently up to 180 miles and counting.

(As soon as I can afford it I'm ordering a full set of new muffler gaskets just to be sure I have no exhaust leaks. Then, I gotta knuckle down and start tuning this pig. She's about 90% right now- just gotta get me that other 10.)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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calif wingnut
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#569

Post by calif wingnut »

What you think Lucien @ Buy Them Now ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1982-Kawasaki-K ... 4882b93f9b
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Fin

#570

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Sadly? He could probably get a buyer, depending on how motivated they were. Each blinker usually goes for 100 bucks a pop, although I'll admit that's the high end. $350-$400 is probably it bit more realistic. Yeah, restoring one of these bad boys is NOT cheap.

Small update on mine- found out that my valve cover is leaking oil from all 4 of the rubber cam plugs. Funny thing is, it's leaking from the top, around the gasket. When I pull the carbs to fix the fuel line issue, I'll pop off the cover, slather some more Yamabond on it, and (hopefully) call it good.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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