My newest tow - 78 KZ 750B

I'm not in any way giving up the XJ lifestyle, but today, I ventured into the Kawasaki world. I traded a rarely used shotgun for a non-running, non-titled 78 KZ 750B. My wife thinks I'm an idiot. She's probably right. But, I'm looking forward to trying to make this thing a nice beast. Right now, I'm thinking bobber-ish. Cafe isn't too far outta the question though.

 

If you haven't already, you might want to check out http://www.kzrider.com/ for a little while.

And wives don't "get" motorcycles, the same way we don't "get" the difference between chartreuse and green and what's so great about scented candles, new shoes and purses.

Looks like your new bike will clean up real nice...

 

Trading shotguns and motorcycles.............

Sighs......

If only we could trade scented candles for motorcycles.

 

That looks like a really fun project, I wish I could find deals like that.

 

Get it running before you put a lot of money into it. If you are ok with the performance, then spend some more making it pretty.

 

MacMcMacmac, that is definitely my plan. I'm not going to blow too much on it before I figure out if it'll run at all. Once I get it starting consistently, I'm going to have to put some money into the seat. That's just a bit TOO ratbike for me right now.

 

those make good choppers! they sound cool after the pipes are redone!

 

Chopper is probably the best idea for this bike. I was going to buy one, along with a beater Plymouth Horizon a few years ago. Actually, I was talking about buying the Horizon just to swing a ride on the KZ.

Verdict: extremely slow.

These bikes actually weigh more than a Z1, with about half the horsepower. They also have a bunch of chains to keep an eye on (camchain, drivechain, primary drive chain, counterbalancer drive chain and I think a couple more).

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, since I DO think it was a hell of a deal, and I'm sure you can make this into a very pretty bike, but I think a cafe job for anything other than the look will be a bit of a disappointment. This engine was used well into the 80's on a 750 LTD twin, so parts should still be available.

 

I'm not too sure what would be the best way to mount this on the bike ... but, it's something you should have handy with those old Kaw's.

http://www.keysan.com/ksu0721.htm

 

Oh, now that's just not right Rick. Don't go killing my dreams.

 

Be sure to check out kzrider.com. There are a bunch of good guys there and a lot of useful info. I restored a 76 kz 750.