Topic: low budget Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD resto, Vintage Stereo & Amish to the rescue

[MoMo]

Recently I was given a 1982 Kawasaki KZ1000 K2  LTD in lieu of payment for work done.  The PO( a very accomplished Triumph and Harley mechanic who is not too fond of working on Japanese bikes) asked me to redo the carbs on aforementioned KZ.  I removed them, disassembled, cleaned and inspected and returned them with a $125 invoice. We exchange services occasionally so I waited for awhile, he decided to give me the bike rather than money or a service. So here I am with my fourth Kawasaki, BTW I used to hate Kawis-couldn't stand that ugly, putrid green of most 70's models. Still turns my stomach but I've done an about face and come to admire the Concours I had but couldn't handle due to the height and being 71 as well as the two 600 Ninjas I had, sold one and kept the other.

[IMG_0439 by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickrurl=https://flic.kr/p/24vW2MG]IMG_0431[/url] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr


My 1991 Ninja 600 complete with bungee cords to hold up the rear cowling on which every mounting tab is broken.

IMG_0455 by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr


IMG_0457 by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

New rear cowling purchased on ebay for the whopping sum of $31 with shipping included.  Gotta love the Ninja warrior


More to follow, need my beauty sleep( not possible  )....Larry

[MoMo]

Here is my other Kawi.  Always wanted a Concours after watching a fellow mechanic complete one of the first Iron Butts on one.  Finally took the plunge with this very low mileage version.  It was an ebay purchase that quickly turned problematic.  With the help of Cal I was able to get it.  Who BTW would not take a penny for his time or mileage.   Anyhow, I never felt all that comfortable on the bike as it was too tall for my stubby, short legs and wound up dropping it when it stalled out on a tight left, I was standing still.  Somehow, I was able to pick up the 700 plus pound behemoth and decided to sell it before I got hurt.  Buyer got a 1994 Concours with 4400 miles for 3K.   Here it is
IMG_0010[1] by Lawrence Moulder,  Flickr

On the way to an auction

[MoMo]

Welcome to my thread
I guess you all know why we're here
My name is MoMo
And I became a Kawi Fan this year.


Tommy can you hear me?


Here is the entrance to one side of my shop
IMG_9376[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr
 
From left to right my 74 BMW R/90,  82 Yamaha Seca 400, 91 Ninja 600(a really fun bike to ride), a customer's 750 K8(not my favorite 750 style) and finally one of the all time POS............CB900 C(really need that 10 speed )  In the shed is CB400F Ver. 9.0  still in progress and The Tequila Sunrise( 74 CB750.

[MoMo]

Inside, the LTD on the left and my GSX1100 F on the right(still having trouble with it idling )
IMG_9377[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

Closer view of topic bike

IMG_9378[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

BTW, he who dies with the most tools wins.     I've just about tripled the quantity of tools I own during the past several years with auction acquisitions.  I buy a box lot or three, sell what I don't want, keep what I need/want, then wind up with free tools and a small profit.

[MoMo]

Oh yeah, every old owner needs an old stereo system.  This was couple bucks at an auction, the speakers are monstrous Sony that are so heavy they have wheels( speakers were part of a table lot auction purchase, total of all items was 2.50).  Sound is fantastic.  My good systems are in the house---Technics and Yamaha that power Bose 901, Canton Karat, KLH, Sansui, etc. Mostly only play vinyl, there is something about the process of choosing an LP, cleaning it and putting it on the turntable that is quite relaxing

IMG_9370[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr
IMG_9371[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr
IMG_9373[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[70CB750]

Following. 

I guess I should pay you a visit this Summer, Larry 

You got some nice toys to look at 

[Stev-o]

You are the Kaw man Larry, you are catching up to me!  [I currently have 7]  I also always hated the pukey green color, luckily none of mine are that color.

[MoMo]

Following. 

I guess I should pay you a visit this Summer, Larry 

You got some nice toys to look at 

That'd be great

[MoMo]

You are the Kaw man Larry, you are catching up to me!  [I currently have 7]  I also always hated the pukey green color, luckily none of mine are that color.

Doubt I'll ever reach 7 but I have had as many as 13 motorcycles at one time.  Actually, I have 13 now, 6 motorcycles and 7 bicycles .   When I got out of the service I delivered Western Union telegrams on a bicycle within a 10 mile radius from the station.

[MoMo]

As mentioned earlier I cleaned the carbs and received the bike as payment so I have zero moolah into it. It took several months to get the bike but a month or so ago Mark dropped it off.  Came home from work and there it was, he never put the carbs back on so they were sitting on the bike.  Had to get my son's assistance tp get the KZ on the lift and center stand.  There was no way in Hades the carbs were going into rock hard rubbers( in certain areas I guess it is better to have a hard rubber than soft) so I took them off and dipped into my solution of 4 oz. wintergreen to a gallon of Xylene.  Solution was air temp, which at the time was 50 deg. or so.  After dunking each set 8 hours or so all manifold boots were ready to use.  Carbs slid right on with minimal problem.

IMG_9385[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[MoMo]

Checked the air filter before a start up attempt and found ye olde proverbial mices nest(I had a 1984 Dodge Dakota in which the interior was one large mouse nest), on the bright side the KZ had a K&N filter, which I happen to have at least 3 K&N service sets so the filter was reusable. The second photo is a 5 gallon bucket with the nest, first is the air box.

IMG_0604[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

IMG_0607[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[MoMo]

Next step was to get workable brakes so I could at least ride the KZ around the block to make sure it was worthwhile resurrecting.  Here is the master cylinder

IMG_0612[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr


I took it to work to use their super sweet Ultrasonic cleaner and Ozzie Clean parts washer.  Took some time but it came clean.  I had to walk away while it was sitting in the Ultrasonic cleaner and mentioned to an employee that there was a small hole that was very hard to clear.  He took it upon himself to remove cylinder from the ultrasonic cleaner and use a drill bit to clear the hole.  Not sure how big the hole on a Kawi is ( an sohc is like a guitar string, this is almost a sixteenth of an inch).  Maybe I'll take a photo and post it.  Anyhow I got the brakes functioning enough to test the bike.  Both front and rear pistons are pitted, I removed seals, cleaned out the groove and seals. 

No money into the bike as of yet. But I did have to replace a clogged front brake line with a used spare I had saved



 Btw, the method Kawasaki uses to retain the master cylinder piston is ingenious, instead of a circlip they use a plastic sleeve with tabs that slip into slots in the cylinder.  Easy peazy

[MoMo]

Here is my method for getting that final bit of brake air out.  Front is still spongy ( I think due to enlarging the hole in the MC) but should be adequate to stop the bike.  Rear is rock solid.
IMG_9372[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

IMG_9374[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[kpier883]

My first bike was a 1982 LTD 1000.  Hope you get it running great.  Lots of torque but would pull redline in 5th with no problem.  Did have some weave above 110 mph , but below that it cornered great.  Notice the stock frame bracing.

Watching with interest!!

Kirk

[MoMo]

My first bike was a 1982 LTD 1000.  Hope you get it running great.  Lots of torque but would pull redline in 5th with no problem.  Did have some weave above 110 mph , but below that it cornered great.  Notice the stock frame bracing.

Watching with interest!!

Kirk

Thanks for following Kirk,  guarantee I'll never see 110. 


Here is a photo of the master cylinder, that window was totally blocked-- the parts washer and ultrasonic did miracles.. I will paint it at some point to go along with the bike as it is  fairly clean and rust free

IMG_9445[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr



Here is the interior of the MC, that "small" relief hole does not look right to me but I never saw it due to all that goop. It is the one to the left.

IMG_9447[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[MoMo]

Rear caliper in contrast to the MC

IMG_9368[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[Stev-o]

My first bike was a 1982 LTD 1000.

My first [big] bike was a '78 LTD 1000. Was a great bike all the way up to 125, never a weave...

[MoMo]

Front calipers condition also very good.
IMG_9450[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr
IMG_9449[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

The residue on the left fork leg is from the last state inspection, 2001.  So it is possible the KZ has sat for quite some time

[MoMo]

Bought this system at a local auction Tuesday night,  Boston Acoustics VR 40 tower speakers, Yamaha 400 watt receiver, ADC equalizer and an old Columbia 8 track(not that I have any 8 tracks left but it was only one dollar ). The speakers were a dollar each, the receiver was 4 and the equalizer 2.  Haven't had a chance to test any of the stuff as of yet but I may have really struck gold with the BA speakers, not that I can hear that well anymore
IMG_9462[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[MoMo]

It's alive.   IT'S ALIIIIIVE                       

                                                               Dr. Momo Von Franck_En_Steen

[ekpent]

It's alive.   IT'S ALIIIIIVE                       

                                                               Dr. Momo Von Franck_En_Steen

The stereo or the bike ?   

[MoMo]

It's alive.   IT'S ALIIIIIVE                       

                                                               Dr. Momo Von Franck_En_Steen

The stereo or the bike ?   

Haven't tested the stereo yet so it must be the bike. 

 Changed oil (had some 10/30 Quaker State that was purchased for my El Camino at some ungodly low clearance price(oil not car),  added a new set of NGK B8 and  fresh gas to my remote tank.   Cranked it over with kill switch on so oil would circulate a bit and it wouldn't fire, turned kill off and it fired up after a few bursts.   Took a bit to warm up but it sat there and purred like a kitty( well actually tiger).
IMG_9367[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr



Cost of plugs and oil maybe $15, which is total money spent so far.  Removed the filter to inspect it but will not change until I determine bike is suitable for investing money and , yes, I will use the correct weight oil====extra virgin oil, that is.

[MoMo]

Here are two reasons not to purchase an acid type battery.  I will never buy anything other than an AGM .  Under side of seat pan, chain guard and of course battery box rusted from acid.  Rest of bike other than minor pitting on upper fork legs is rust free.
IMG_9459[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr
IMG_9460[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

only other rust


IMG_9448[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[MoMo]

Tailight lens missing but fender and bracket are quite nice.  Also, I think there is supposed to be a rear grab bar.  Anyone verify that?

IMG_9369[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

headers and mufflers are real nice

IMG_9382[1] by Lawrence Moulder, on Flickr

[RAFster122s]

Hey Larry,  Congrats on the new acquistion of the Kawa...
how was vacation?
I will give you $5, no $10 for that recent audio system and just think, you have made 10x your money!
I do need a good set of speakers.  Not that  I could pry those BA speakers away from you.  Maybe your old speakers they are replacing.  Moving back West soon so I should come pick it up before heading back to Tucson. Will be going to Columbus, so maybe stop by doing a triangular trip and meet and enjoy the sights and sounds in the shop... exchange some moola for speakers and take you to dinner before I hit the hotel for the night.
I have a 100w solid state amp a electronics engineer friend built along with a Technics tuner and equalizer.  Need to pick up a CD player and turntable if I ever buy more vinyl, lost my vinyl collection in divorce...along with most of my books and other things like that.  Not sure if they still have it but they had a great used record store.  LA has some great ones as well.  Friend in Phoenix has a very large record collection.
If you run across Nakamichi or McIntosh stuff I want it, the later for certain if in good shape.
Hope you are staying healthy.  I look forward to following your Kawa thread.

Sorry you had to let the Concours go...much of my 6'4" height is torso, so I do not have long legs like many people of my height...so I can relate on some bikes.

Past my bedtime by alot...
David