Author Topic: I got a bike I don't know what to do with (Read 7601 times)

MJL · « **on:** October 25, 2009, 06:45:20 PM »

'76 KZ 750 twin

It's rough, as in needs a lot of parts. I was thinking it'd be a good candidate for a chopper/bobber project, I just haven't found a picture I really like to model it after.

Got any ideas? Want to buy or trade?

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2009, 06:55:56 PM »

Holy Screaming Double Butt-Bucket Yellow Zonker..

... sorry, just couldnt help it...

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #2 on:** October 25, 2009, 09:50:53 PM »

OH MY GOD! Get that into the garage before anyone sees it. Or if you have a great sense of humor ride it proudly around the neighborhood.

Gordon · « **Reply #3 on:** October 25, 2009, 11:00:41 PM »

Why do you need to see what somebody else has done before you do something yourself?

MJL · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2009, 09:48:40 AM »

Quote from: Gordon on October 25, 2009, 11:00:41 PM

Why do you need to see what somebody else has done before you do something yourself?

I have zero artistic ability. I can solve problems and think of new ways to do things, but when it comes to having an eye for style, well, that's where I fail.

It's not that I want to copy someone else's work, but an idea from this bike and an idea from that bike...

MacM2010 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:19:19 AM »

That bike actually looks like it's in pretty good shape - just make it all one color, and get a new seat (the stock seats on the KZs look just fine), and you'll have a perfectly nice looking bike. Maybe some lower bars, for my taste, but whatever is most comfortable to you.

A bobber or chopper would be cool... These are reportedly rather heavy bikes, so you might want to see where you can lose some weight on there. Are you thinking hardtail, or do you want to keep the shocks? It doesn't seem like these are any more complicated than any other 70's Japanese motorcycle to mod, so if you're looking for something to inspire you, don't feel beholden to Kawasaki specific bikes. The engine will look different, but the basic premises of the bike will be largely the same.

That being said, here are a couple googled KZ chops:

kirkn · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:24:28 AM »

They looked good, stock, too, IMHO. It looks like the seat, the 2-1 exhaust and that headlight eyebrow thingy are the only non-stock bits on it.

For all your 70's KZ twin needs, I don't think you can beat the KZ400 site and forum:

http://www.armbell.com/kz400/index.php?sid=bc8f3f6ab7004bd704129f419b1f27ad&mforum=kz400

MJL · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2009, 01:10:07 PM »

I'm already on the Kawasaki twins site, it's the only forum I have yet found that deals with just KZ twins.

I think I'll start with paint, different bars, different headlight, different seat, and see how it goes from there.

MacM2010 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2009, 02:22:59 PM »

If you're getting rid of the headlight, and the visor is for a 7" lamp, I'll take it off your hands. I'm pretty sure the KZs use the same size headlights as ours...

I'll say that, if you do hard-tail it, don't do struts (like one of the pics I posted). I feel like that bike would look just as good with black shocks, and ride considerably better. If you want a hard-tail, great, they're really cool, but at least get the crisp lines that come with it. Plus, I like how open the rear of the bike looks when it's been chopped.

But that's just my opinion, whatever it's worth. Budget, above all else, will probably decide your mod options.

mlinder · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2009, 05:19:25 PM »

Those are great bikes...

Get rid of all the ugly crap, make it as light as possible, and ride the crap out of it. Those things scream.

MJL · « **Reply #10 on:** October 29, 2009, 11:59:02 PM »

I'm on my way to a train wreck with no clear plan.

In the cramped garage

I know the wiring needs work so I started with "What's behind the headlight?" It was everything I could hope for.

I just kept taking more and more stuff off. I sat and looked at it for awhile, hoping it would speak to me, but not yet.

I don't want to alter the frame yet, not without a clear plan at least.

bill440cars · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2009, 03:35:12 AM »

You said, "I don't want to alter the frame yet, not without a clear plan at least" and THAT is very understandable. When you start "Cutting on it", it's kinda hard to put something back on.

Yeah, I see exactly where you are coming from. I've been there before. If you can just SEE something that someone else has done, something will give YOU the inspiration as to what would look good on YOURS. Exactly what I have been doing as far as my Super Hawk build, that I'm (so very slowly) trying to get a start on.

Sometimes, it just takes time, til you happen to see a CERTAIN MOD that jumps out at you or something is mentioned by another person and suddenly you think, "YEAH, THAT'S IT!" Sometimes, it only takes ONE IDEA to hit home and the whle thing just kinda comes together!

Main thing is, "Just Don't Rush It!" Let it come to you and it will just FLOW together.

Nice piece to start on, BTW.

DME · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2009, 04:25:30 AM »

I went to look at one of those as I had a plan to turn it into a streettracker.
The bike was pretty clean, started and ran alright. One weak point on that motor is the starter that frequently craps out, on the other hand it has the kickstart....
Anyhow, after the testride I backed out of the deal as it was a seriously sluggish bike, and I wanted something more zippy to start with.

This pic might perhaps inspire you though:

MacM2010 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2009, 10:00:41 AM »

Some folks on here have posted "bratstyle" bikes, which are pretty cool. Definitely custom, but without any serious frame mods. I think they look good - not too terribly different than the tracker above.

www.bratstyle.com

They have lots of XS and W650 twins on there, but you could do a similar thing with a different engine. Change the wheels, a new coat of paint, and a flatter seat: presto.

With a free bike, I'd be inclined to take more liberties than if I'd paid for it. Go nuts, see what happens.

MJL · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2009, 11:06:51 AM »

I think I'm going to ease into this by lowering it about two inches, a flat seat, clipons, and two headlights. For paint I'm thinking Kawasaki green, but we'll see.

Btw, I've got the front fender off, I'm wondering if it's ok to leave it off or do I need some kind of brace there?

zoo mob · « **Reply #15 on:** November 01, 2009, 11:50:09 AM »

Just my opinion, but I think that green can look a bit silly when not a factory paint job.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2009, 05:33:55 AM »

The Z750 twin was a sales flop in it's day, it was an attempt by Kawasaki to move in on Yamaha's successful 650 twin market, but it failed miserably, and like DME mentioned, it was a slug, performance wise, with iffy handling to boot.

Having said all that, it's quite a good understressed commuter, with some touring ability. Considering that chopping/bobbing/cafe-ing it will only make it less interesting with virtually no resale value, why not clean it up, fit an original seat (and burn that overstuffed armchair while you're at it) paint those panels anything but yellow, and either keep it for a nice reliable daily rider, or sell it on?

Most folk have forgotten how boring it was when new, so considering it's "rarity", it might even be worth a few bucks if you clean it up nice? Cheers, Terry.

MJL · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:45:37 PM »

I've got about 10 miles on it, and while it wasn't that exciting to ride it did seem to pull pretty good. I've got a nice plan for it, but nothing that can't be undone.

Head · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2009, 12:29:59 AM »

That pic of the kz streettracker looks pretty sweet to me. That double butt bucket has got to go no matter who owns it!! HEAD

MJL · « **Reply #19 on:** November 13, 2009, 01:31:27 PM »

I stripped it down to a rolling frame and motor, pushed the fork tubes up 2 inches, and started putting the wiring back in. I should have taken notes or pictures when I took the wiring harness out, as I have plugs that I know not where they go.

I got new floats and needles for my carbs, as the old brass ones had pinholes and the needles have 47k on them, so why not.

Supposedly a 250 ninja has 36 mm fork tubes, so clipons for that will work.

I still need some 10.5 inch long shocks.

I hope I can ebay that butt bucket seat and get some decent cash for it, it's not comfortable to me but it is in good condition.

547 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:13:22 PM »

http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/monkee13.html

MacM2010 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 15, 2009, 08:34:11 PM »

^ That's what I'm talking about. Good find, 547.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #22 on:** November 15, 2009, 09:04:21 PM »

Theres a guy that works up in the mountains close to where I work.He works at an outfit that does automotive restorations and he is an avid bike rider/owner also. I don't know how many bikes he owns but he has a real sweet Ducati (I think it's a 1098) and he also has a Kawi 750 twin that puts anything that has been posted here so far to shame. I havn't seen it in probably 6 months or so and I don't see him every day either. Next time I see him....I will see if its possible to get some pics of it that I can post here. The kawi 750 twin isn't a bike that I would just pop up and say I like but this one......I would rock in a heartbeat!!!! I remember it has a supertrapp pipe on it,a real neat lookin' fork brace,nice detail work,etc................just a real cool looker!

MickeyX · « **Reply #23 on:** November 15, 2009, 09:15:34 PM »

I like the look of that last pic too. Nice lines. My 1st thought for your bike is... take off that gawd awful seat.

Off with all the yelo stuff too. Open up the sides a bit and maybe make some covers for it. Chop a little off the chrome rear fender but I wouldn't go nuts with it. The taillight is mounted to the frame so you can go anywhere with that... get something funky and old with character from the salvage yard. The thin seat in that last pic is hawt on that style of bike. The nice thing is, almost any seat pan can be used to make those. Check out the contouring on the bottom of the one you have and see if you can shave it down or if the whole thing is built like a la z boy. Sometimes you get lucky and the pan is flat. Recycle it to the burn pile otherwise.

It won't cost much to do any of that and you can put the extra money into the mechanicals.

bucky katt · « **Reply #24 on:** November 15, 2009, 09:42:15 PM »

that seat reminds me of a roping saddle

great looking bike otherwise. buttstop seat, clip ons and rearsets would be the direction i took on it.

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Author Topic: I got a bike I don't know what to do with (Read 7601 times)