Feeding My Addiction

So currently have have a 2015 Vulcan S (daily rider), '77 KZ 650 (restoration complete) '67 Samurai A1 (Restoration started) and yesterday I picked up this 1980 KZ 750E. (for my next restoration project)
Luckily I have an understanding wife.
 

Welcome to the site. Nice bike. Looks to be pretty much all original. Exhaust, turn signals paint, even the shocks.. 

nice find

"Welcome to the site. Nice bike. Looks to be pretty much all original. Exhaust, turn signals paint, even the shocks.. "

I've been here for a few years, mostly lurking and researching.
Yes the bike is mostly all there but has high mileage and some engine issues.
The warm compression is 120, 130,160 and 165. I'm hoping its just valves not sealing as the rings were changed not too long ago.
The other concern is the crankcase noise. At low RPM just before it stalls, it sounds like a bunch of chains and pop cans rattling around in the bottom of the engine. I'm guessing the primary chain might be stretched with too many miles on it? My 650 does that the odd time but not nearly as pronounced as this bike.

The good part is the bike came with a mint (driven maybe one year) like new complete exhaust system, spare fuel tank, fender and side covers so that I can repaint one set original red and the other original silver. The exhaust on the bike does look like it just needs a good polishing as it is solid with no rust holes.

How many miles/km on the bike?  Primary chain noise is normal to some extent, and it's greatly exacerbated by unbalanced carb sync, and poor running at idle in general.  Also, shrunken/diminished rubber bumpers in the clutch hub and secondary shaft sprocket will increase noise.  I upgraded those when rebuilding my 750.  

Oops!  A senior moment with the welcome bit.

Hopefully the compression will come back up with a valve adjustment and some running time.

The 750/4s are known for  crankcase noise at low idle . A carb synch which you will probably do may help lessen the rattle. Mine sounds the same - a tin can of nuts an bolts - at low idle but not to bad at 1100rpm. After 21 years I no longer worry. The 750 motor is pretty solid. I have 99,000 km (just over 60,000 miles) on it and hope to rack up many more.

looking forward to seeing pics as you bring it back life.

This is my 8th restoration since 2020. This addiction started as a Covid project with an H1E 500 Triple. I used to do old Porsches. See the link below. All are under 5 minutes long.
My KZ650 video isn't completed yet so it isn't there.
Every restoration has been a complete, every nut and bolt tear down (frame, engine, driveline, everything), clean, polish, rebuild, repaint or replace. Because this one had a fair bit of engine work done within the last 10K? I was hoping to do a good assessment and if a valve adjustment brings up the compression, then only do minimal engine work.

Doug's Restoration Videos

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It's been a long winter but the project is coming together.
Maybe next week I'll take it al apart and carry the pieces out of my basement to reassemble in my garage.   

That 250 takes me back to my high school days. Thanks!

gd4now wrote:

"That 250 takes me back to my high school days. Thanks!"

Nothing like a bit of nostalgia.
FYI it'll probably be going up for sale when I am done. I'm too young for it to mean anything to me and I can't keep them all.
 

Nice find, but I am really liking that Samurai!

The '67 Samurai has an interesting story.
I went to a friends C-can to try and talk him into selling me his W1. (completely dismantled, engine in 5 boxes etc...for about 30 years) He wouldn't sell.
BUT, he had 1/2 a Samurai I could have if I un-seized and repaired an engine for his '64 Honda Benly 150. (pictured under my Samurai engine.
I couldn't pass up a free bike. It's sometime the free things that cost you the most in the end.
No, title, fuel tank, side cover, rear fender, engine covers, header exhaust tubes and nuts, gear shifter, kick starter, headlamp, cables shot, cylinders pistons and heads, engine bolts and screws, only one seized cylinder, some carb parts, one cracked engine case cover, missing electrical parts, no key and no title. Much more but you get the idea. Can I make it work?
$3000 later, I have title and everything I think I need to get it on the road again. 
But I have the above '80 KZ750 needing a restoration so I'll probably just get it running and put it up for sale.