1975 KZ 900 , ZRX Swingarm, 89 GSXR front end

Mark,

Just sold the track bike. Now the Guzzi will get some laps at Laguna.... oh yeah. You did not think the Guzzi would just sit around did you?

So need to talk you into a day at Laguna. You need a track day photo of the KZ driving down the corkscrew.

While I have not said much further here about the Z1B it is alive and well. It now has about 3500 miles .
I noticed the heat shields around the oil cooker lines were melting and it concerned me that perhaps the cooler was actually heating the oil.
I decided to re route them and while I was at it I thought a different look for the header was also in order. I did it in bright silver.
For the future it will still get a Corbin seat and a damper.

Anyone have any leads for a new speedo/tach assembly?
I have a new one however both are failing big time.
I found an OEM one. However it is not in perfect condition.
Thanks for the help.
Myke

MAR,

How are things, how is the bike?

The GSXR in a few of these photos is now mine. The owner decided to give it to me, very generous of him. I now have another custom to ride.

TK
GOOD to hear from you. The Z1B is wonderful. Just took it to Dave Moss to work on the suspension. Fells much better. He suggested rebuilding both forks and shocks and put in 5 weight oil.
Bike probably has around 6k miles on it and no matter where I ride it draws a lot of attention. I have heard countless stories of guys their KZ 900s doing remarkable feats. LOL.
What the plan for the Suzuki?

MAR.

Very good to hear from you as well. I moved to Washington State. Been pretty busy with household things, so the GIXXER will be a winter deal.

The "plan" is modern forks, and carbon fiber wheels. The bike is really light, and I think it will really benefit from carbon. Because Paul gifted the bike to me I owe it to him to take it up a notch, and will be able to afford it.

The KZ needed suspension work, I bet it made a real difference. It's light, and the frame should be really really stiff. Good suspension would really bring it into modern bike performance range.

Paul lives in Livermore, CA. would be cool if you found yourself around there to arrange a cup of coffee with Paul, he really digs the KZ. He rides a Guzzi and has a weak spot for mid eighties VFR 750's.

You getting miles on the KZ makes me smile, I sure appreciate hearing about it. My phone number is still the same as when we met if you ever need advice on my redneck handiwork. Reminds me I was looking at Autometer web page, they have some classy looking gages for motorcycles there if the speedo problem is still active.

www.autometer.com/gauges/pro-cycle.html#1&profile=products

The Gixxer I have now id the one at the show behind the KZ.

I would love to get in contact with Paul. I m not in the Bay Area much. However on occasion I do ride down to Suison and head towards lake county, Berryessa , Calistoga Middletown. It s a long day for me and worth it.(about 400 miles)
Yes the gauges are still a problem. I found OEM used in the mid west. They sort of work and the glass is dirty from the INSIDE. I found a guy at the last show I was in who gave me the number of a guy who rebuilds them. I still haven t taken them off because it s too much fun to ride it.

Ted how are you. Hope you had good holidays.
I had a can chain guide break internally and needed to take the motor apart. In doing so we found a stuck ring on one piston. I can save the piston however I need to fine an exact ring. Can you tell me what piston and ring was used.
I know it s a 998 . However other 998 I have seen do not have the dome these have.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Myke
(925)787-8601

Hi Myke,

Sorry to hear about this trouble. I do not know what brand piston is in there. I know who put the big bore kit in "Mad Jack", he liked Wiseco back then, but there is no guarantee that is what he used, the original owner would have chosen what brand, sometime in the 90's I suspect.

If I were you, I would hone the cylinders and install new pistons and rings. It is not horribly expensive, and you would have piece of mind for many more miles. APE has a good selection of quality stuff for the KZ.

kzzone.com/

The engine were it still in my hands would have been rebuilt eventually, It was the weakest link, although solid enough for the time being. I am surprised a stuck ring did not damage the cylinder wall. The thought I had about the engine was a real big block with mild compression pistons. Avoid going too big or you will over heat the motor. Valve guides should be replaced and the crank inspected for alignment. For about 2K you could have a real punisher of a motor, complemented by the ignition module I installed and the flatslides. You will not be disappointed.

If the tensioner is broken, make sure you find all of it. I broke a cam chain in another bike once, when some debris from a broken part did not get removed, the bike ran along after fixing initial problem for years, then one day it just got caught up in the cam chain and whack ! broken cam chain totally stranded.

kzzone.com/blocks.html

I will shoot you a text so you have my number, but it is still the same as before, even though I am now in Washington.

Ted

Hey Myke !!
It's been a long time, I am wondering how the bike is doing.
After moving to Washington, most of my time is spent fixing up an old house. I finally have the urge to start on the 86 GSXR. It was parked next to the KZ when you first saw it at that show in California
How did the motor refresh go and are you on the road with the bike?.

Myke?