Kidkawie wrote:

I_Tig_in_piece wrote:

650ed wrote: If you had a 72 mph speed wobble something is still wrong with the bike and the damper is only masking the problem. I guarantee you that the bike didn't have a speed wobble when it left the showroom floor. #1 suspect would be tires, but bad shocks; worn swing arm bushings; bad steering stem bearings; wheel bearings; untrue rim; etc. are also possibilities. I highly recommend you identify and correct the problem. My KZ650 had a wobble at 90 mph and after replacing all bearings, bushings, shocks, etc. it turned out to be a bad tire (Michelin Macadam) even though both tires looked perfect. After replacing the tires the bike is now as solid as a rock up to top speed (120 mph). Ed

Before the first wobble, all the items you mentioned had maybe 400 miles on them from new. AB bearings everywhere except the swinger which is a NOS set. I trued the wheels myself then had them OK'd by a few buddies at Trophys. Followed the directions on kz400.com to the T to rebuild and fill the forks. I pressed the new top and bottom AB races on but I didn't re-torque the stem after putting some miles on them.

My Z1B with stock forks and reproduction OEM shocks would weave above 80mph. Not headshake, but a whole bike weave. I installed a set of ZRX shocks which were plusher and a touch longer and the weave has disappeared. With these old bikes you have to pay attention to setup. You can't just slap suspension on (no matter what it is) and call it done. Some good info in this video.

That video played like an anti motorcycle propaganda piece.
I've never had any of my medium and big road bikes do any of that BS!
And I ride from 55mph to 85mph for quite a few miles nearly every time I go out .
Today included.

I_Tig_in_piece wrote:

650ed wrote: If you had a 72 mph speed wobble something is still wrong with the bike and the damper is only masking the problem. I guarantee you that the bike didn't have a speed wobble when it left the showroom floor. #1 suspect would be tires, but bad shocks; worn swing arm bushings; bad steering stem bearings; wheel bearings; untrue rim; etc. are also possibilities. I highly recommend you identify and correct the problem. My KZ650 had a wobble at 90 mph and after replacing all bearings, bushings, shocks, etc. it turned out to be a bad tire (Michelin Macadam) even though both tires looked perfect. After replacing the tires the bike is now as solid as a rock up to top speed (120 mph). Ed

Before the first wobble, all the items you mentioned had maybe 400 miles on them from new. AB bearings everywhere except the swinger which is a NOS set. I trued the wheels myself then had them OK'd by a few buddies at Trophys. Followed the directions on kz400.com to the T to rebuild and fill the forks. I pressed the new top and bottom AB races on but I didn't re-torque the stem after putting some miles on them.

My Z1B with stock forks and reproduction OEM shocks would weave above 80mph. Not headshake, but a whole bike weave. I installed a set of ZRX shocks which were plusher and a touch longer and the weave has disappeared. With these old bikes you have to pay attention to setup. You can't just slap suspension on (no matter what it is) and call it done. Some good info in this video.

OK, I'm finally going to get this thread going.

This is a continuation of my bike in these threads.

82 GPz750 keepin' it real,.. for now
1982 GPz750 Phase II Making It more Unique.

Well as you can see at the end of the last thread I had it just about where I wanted and then had a mishap. It wasn't too catastrophic but smashed up the crankcase enough to warrant the rebuilding of the engine. Therefore, I'm going to pretty much tear it down to the frame and put it together as I think it should within my own taste, budget, and skills.

Damaged-

• The instrument cluster was really bashed up.This pissed me off more than anything. It was from the UK and went up to 150 mph.
  
• The Bikemaster drag bars were bent.
  
• My bar end mirrors obviously would be smashed as well. The right side anyway.
  
• The tank got a new dent from my switches.
  
• The timing cover was smashed and the upper screw boss was obliterated. The lower one was already gone. The Dyna S ignition was FUBAR'd as well. The rotor screw was sheared off.
  
• Miscellanius scrapes, etc.. The rear brake lever was bent.

I'm actually surprised that it wasn't damaged more than it was. I wasn't going fast but It hit the pavement hard.

I have already pretty much found and bought everything I need to get it rebuilt and just need to get down to the nitty-gritty. I'm sure I'll find little things I didn't think of or didn't know needed replacing.

I'll start off with what I'm not going to do. This isn't a criticism of those that have done these things to their KZs in general or KZ750R1s specifically, I just don't think they are right for me or the bike.

• It's not going to be a typical ELR....or cafe or tracker
  
• I'm not going to do a fork or swing arm swap.
  
• I'm not going to put on pod filters.
  
• I'm not going to grind anything off besides what was already buggered when I got it. and hopefully make it reversible as possible if myself or someone else wants to do a full restore

Things that I am going to do besides just repair or replace damaged items along with maintenance like bearings, brakes and such. The "style" will most likely end up being more streetfighter than anything else. Some of the things I'm going to do will be a bit different on the practical side. I'm going to try and keep the price down as much as possible and I kind of like reusing parts from other bikes, preferably Kawasaki, in the process.

Engine-

• I have a replacement crankcase with GPz numbers.
  
• KZ550 6 spd tranny, I think I'll maybe take the neutral finder out. I'd like to set up the sprockets so 1st is slightly lower than standard. 6th (& 5th) will end up being a very nice OD ratios.
  
• ZR7 oil pump and secondary shaft with starter clutch.
  
• KZ650 valve cover. Hey, it fits! Doesn't have the stupid save the planet spigots on it. It just needs a coat of black paint.
  
• MAYBE a ZX750A head or just a replacement KZ750R head, depends on what I find. I buggered up the one I have the first time I adjusted the valves. I can probably fix it but if I find a suitable replacement....
  
• MAYBE a 810 over bore. it depends on what the 2 cylinder sets I have look like and measure out to when I get to it. If I'm going to have to rebore and replace pistons I might as well go all the way. I'm honestly hoping it doesn't need it since this will severely strain the budget.

Exhaust- I'm keeping the ZR7 headers. I have a titanium Muzzy muffler that needs to be rebuilt waiting in the wings, It's off a YZF R1 so it will take some fitting, I might have to start over with a full ZR7 exhaust set that wasn't chopped off so short.

Suspension- I already have the ZRX rear shocks, they're staying. I'll service the swingarm pivot bearings/bushings etc. while I'm at it. I'm going to be putting Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks. I have an extra set of legs that I'll use as they feel like the bushings are tighter. I have set of All Balls steering head bearings too.

The body- I have a full replacement set of body work so the original stuff is being mothballed and I'm going to have fun with the other stuff that has already been painted or came off other models. The tank, fender, and tailpiece haven't shown up yet. I bought them sight unseen but the guy gave me they impression are in the best shape anyone might hope for. I'm just excited to have been able to find the tank, they are super hard to find in good shape.

• I'm going to use the factory style front fender but trim it down a bit. I've seen it done and it looks good IMO.
  
• I'm going to build a front cowling, Just a bikini sized thing. I was already toying with the idea but is a definite must to protect the instrument cluster. The cowling is basically to clean up the looks of the front end and is going to cover a protective cage to keep cluster damage from happening again if I go down. I've been playing with how and what to make it out of and I haven't quite decided yet. I'm thinking about using aluminum tread plate. I think 5-bar style would look good. I would make it black with ceracoat since I don't think a GPz should have any polished chrome or aluminum parts on it. I think it would look unique and stand out.
  
• A swing arm mounted fender and chain guard. I've been running without either and it looks cool but it sure does leave a mess. Made out of the same material as the cowling to match.
  
• I have some factory case guards that will be going on. The only reason they weren't on earlier is because they were in need of being blasted and refinished. Maybe cowling matching skins over them. Just a thought.
  
• I might do something "special" with the tank and side covers Like a "toaster tank" style panels out of the same stuff I make the cowling out of.
  
• Seats, yes seats, I have an extra seat pan. I plan to keep one as a standard 2 up type, The cover on the one on it just started cracking just before I put it down. Idk if I'm going to get a factory style cover or just take it to an upholsterer to do whatever seems nice. The other I plan to build as a combo solo seat/tail rack. I still plan to ride this bike as often as possible which includes to work and it's always nice to carry your lunch and gear on a ready-made place for it. I'll swap seats over as needed. The rack would match the cowling as well.

I am torn about the tread plate idea. I'm worried it would look too industrial or something. I know the typical diamond plate pattern definitely would.

I'll see if I can get some pics of the damage up later today.

You can modify them by removing the preload tabs and/or installing limiters inside the shock. I read about removing the preload tabs on a ZRX forum but I took it a step further by welding the adjuster to the inner sleeve. I also had to shim out the left shock to clear the chain guard using flat washers.

Hey guys,
I'm jumping in here. This discussion is getting me really interested.
I have a question for you on the same topic.

I've been looking at ZRX1200 shocks to put on my 1978 KZ1000 LTD, but my big concern is: Would the 1" extra length be a problem? Could it be enough to make steering twitchy? It's not like it's really near twitchy to begin with...

What are your thoughts?

Coast Steve wrote: You know boys, Funny you should say that.

A few months back I had $14,000 in the bank after selling my race car, and I soon found myself at the bike shop
(funny how that happened).

Looked at pretty much all they had, ...and they had lots. But they all seemed to look the same after a bit of time there.

So, I decided to go back to what I remember in the early 80's (and never had the money for).
A big classic AMA superbike replica.
It was this S1 Lawson Rep or the 900-1100F Spencer Rep. Always liked the big Green Kawasaki's though.
It cost me REAL money though but I still love it.
Just as much as a brand new sportbike I think.

The old bikes do have like you say "soul" whereas the new stuff all seemed like clones but in different colors and sizes.
And sure, they all had wicked wind tunnel looks and traction control stuff everywhere. But they didn't grab me.

Now the ZRX was pretty cool when it came out and at the time I did want one pretty bad.
But It didn't get me excited the way the early 80's bikes made me feel.

And I wasn't digin it's water cooled engine made to look like it was air cooled with little fins... And the oil cooler was actually a rad...

I guess I'm old school and proud of it. :dry:
Give me tube frames and dual shocks all the way!

Right Eddie?.......Freddie?..........Anyone?

I had a ZRX which I rode when I ran a weekend riders group, at one stage we had over 50 riders so it got a bit much for me. Anyway my ZRX1100 was one of those freak engines (never modified) that would out torque and outrun standard ZRX1200/1100 (and any racer types as well) and actually (in top) keep dead level with ZXR1200R to 160kph (from 80kph).
One day a few riders took the "micky" out of me for always riding at the back (my top speed was 245kph), so my brother lent me his ZXR1200, needless to say I beat the so called racers (mixture of 1000's R1, GSX and 750's) through the bends to our next destination 35kms away.
I hit speeds (by speedo) over 300kph and badly burnt his tyre by the time I got there.
When I got home I than told my wife I'll stay with my modified Z1R and sell the ZRX because I can't control my throttle hand (even modified my Z1R would complain at speeds my ZRX did), so I sold it but to say the ZRX has no sole???? I don't think so, I would still have one but................
Note: In Australia the ZXR1200 (2000 model hyperbike) is different to the ZRX1200

You know boys, Funny you should say that.

A few months back I had $14,000 in the bank after selling my race car, and I soon found myself at the bike shop
(funny how that happened).

Looked at pretty much all they had, ...and they had lots. But they all seemed to look the same after a bit of time there.

So, I decided to go back to what I remember in the early 80's (and never had the money for).
A big classic AMA superbike replica.
It was this S1 Lawson Rep or the 900-1100F Spencer Rep. Always liked the big Green Kawasaki's though.
It cost me REAL money though but I still love it.
Just as much as a brand new sportbike I think.

The old bikes do have like you say "soul" whereas the new stuff all seemed like clones but in different colors and sizes.
And sure, they all had wicked wind tunnel looks and traction control stuff everywhere. But they didn't grab me.

Now the ZRX was pretty cool when it came out and at the time I did want one pretty bad.
But It didn't get me excited the way the early 80's bikes made me feel.

And I wasn't digin it's water cooled engine made to look like it was air cooled with little fins... And the oil cooler was actually a rad...

I guess I'm old school and proud of it. :dry:
Give me tube frames and dual shocks all the way!

Right Eddie?.......Freddie?..........Anyone?

A bit confused :huh:

I keep reading about 2 Dual shocks that haven't been posted.

Why start a thread and go on about about bikes you're not going to show us? You've only posted the donor cadaver.

A cafe build I'm doing is approaching it's end so naturally I must dress myself in a grass skirt and rush to the edge of the volcano to fling myself into a new project. I'm doing a build commissioned by my brother, The base is an 82 GPz750 which will get an 810 kit and cams/springs. We want to swap in a more modern front end and a beefier swingarm along with upgraded brakes. Enter a salvage ZRX1100. It runs like a dream, but the motor will be sold. We are going to move the front end over wholesale and then swap in the rear swingarm, brakes and shocks. It will be a couple weeks before I can get started on it as I wrap up the cafe build. Anyone know off the top about the difference between the OD diameter of the upper and lower steering bearing between the 82 GPz and the ZRX1100?

NakedFun wrote:

Richie7 wrote: Yes, I plan on pressing out my sporty triple tree stem and transplant on the Zrx triple lower. What I'm mainly interested in knowing is how to make HD hub work in ZRX forks/brakes setup. Thank you for replying though.

Richie,

It is in the build thread, (Pages 17-21) but it will greatly depend on what front HD hub you are running. The hub I used is the 77-84 Narrow Dual Disc hub and then machined it to accept 47x25 roller bearings then used 1/4" spacers to get disc alignment proper. Then you still need to cut an inner bearing spacer and two outer bearing spacers. There are numerous factors you need to consider to safely adapt the front wheel.

"So the following hubs were used:

Front: 77-83 Harley Davidson Dual Disk Narrow Glide (FXR & FXH?) - I bored out the bearing pockets to 47mm to press in 47 x 25 x 12 sealed ball bearings and cut a new inner spacer to fit the 25mm front axle from a ZRX1100/1200. .250" spacers were made to get the disk spacing proper. The rotor spacers will need to be notched to fit the speedo drive collar. A custom made axle spacers.

Rear: 2000 + Wide Glide Aluminum "Spool" Hub - Dual Disk - Bearings swapped from a 52 x 25.4x12 to a 52x20x12 and new inner spacer made. A custom aluminum rear rotor adapter made along with a custom Cush drive using Ducati and Suzuki parts."

Cory

Cory,

I will go over the thread again and check out your specs/pics. But, knowing specifically which hub you used and that it has enough meat to bore out and accept ZRX bearings/axle is a huge help for me. I will probably end up re-lacing the stock sporty rear hub and use it in a stock swingarm paired with modern shocks. But that's also good to know for the rear hub option as I have been planing to do a modern dual shocks set up on Z1R or Z1000R someday. Thank you for sharing! I really like your build!