Comments on: Home http://kz750twins.com Biquetoast's Information Archive For The '76 - '84 Kawasaki KZ750 Twin Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:23:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Larry http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-624 Larry Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:04:55 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-624 Hey! We went ahead and bought it for $300 - very excited. Working to get it started. Have a question about the Carbs. It's an 82 CLR with a Vacuum Petcock and a single fuel line to a T between the carbs. Right in front of the Fuel T is another T between the carbs with nothing apparently missing. it's just open. From looking at the assembly diagrams you reccommend, I don't see what should connect. Any suggestions? I'm thinking possibly a fuel overflow? Hey! We went ahead and bought it for $300 – very excited. Working to get it started. Have a question about the Carbs. It’s an 82 CLR with a Vacuum Petcock and a single fuel line to a T between the carbs. Right in front of the Fuel T is another T between the carbs with nothing apparently missing. it’s just open. From looking at the assembly diagrams you reccommend, I don’t see what should connect. Any suggestions? I’m thinking possibly a fuel overflow?

]]> By: Biquetoast http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-616 Biquetoast Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:41:22 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-616 @ Larry Fear not! That is normal behavior for these Kaws. I think call it something like "positive neutral finder" or something; the point is, you have to be in motion (or at least at a certain rpm) before you can shift into second and beyond... ...and $350 is a pretty good deal, no matter how you slice it... 8-) @ Larry

Fear not! That is normal behavior for these Kaws. I think call it something like “positive neutral finder” or something; the point is, you have to be in motion (or at least at a certain rpm) before you can shift into second and beyond…

…and $350 is a pretty good deal, no matter how you slice it…
8-)

]]> By: Larry http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-615 Larry Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:37:52 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-615 I own a Triumph Bonneville & my sons & I have done a nice rebuild on a Yamaha XS. we've been looking for another tall twin. Finally found a Kaw 750 Twin just like my dad owned for $350. went to look at it and it turns over. has compression. my only concern is it will only shift into 1st or neutral. I can do alot of my own work, but shy from gears & tranny stuff. any suggestions - maybe stuck? I own a Triumph Bonneville & my sons & I have done a nice rebuild on a Yamaha XS. we’ve been looking for another tall twin. Finally found a Kaw 750 Twin just like my dad owned for $350. went to look at it and it turns over. has compression. my only concern is it will only shift into 1st or neutral. I can do alot of my own work, but shy from gears & tranny stuff. any suggestions – maybe stuck?

]]> By: Biquetoast http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-580 Biquetoast Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:58:24 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-580 @ JP Don't like the tanks, eh? I always thought that the early B model series ('76 is the first) have such a standard looking tank. What don't you like about it? But no, I don't think the 650 tanks will fit without modification. The 750 tank is actually somewhat wide and shallow, with a wide channel for the goofy frame spine... ;) - 'Toast @ JP

Don’t like the tanks, eh? I always thought that the early B model series (’76 is the first) have such a standard looking tank. What don’t you like about it?

But no, I don’t think the 650 tanks will fit without modification. The 750 tank is actually somewhat wide and shallow, with a wide channel for the goofy frame spine… ;)

- ‘Toast

]]> By: JP http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-568 JP Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:08:30 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-568 Greetings. I'm looking into buying '76 KZ750 next week. I think the bike could be a good fit for me, but I'm not very fond of the tanks. Is there something more similar in shape to the kz650 that is interchangeable with the 750? any tanks at all interchangeable? Thanks! Greetings.
I’m looking into buying ’76 KZ750 next week. I think the bike could be a good fit for me, but I’m not very fond of the tanks.
Is there something more similar in shape to the kz650 that is interchangeable with the 750? any tanks at all interchangeable?
Thanks!

]]> By: Biquetoast http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-449 Biquetoast Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:54:44 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-449 @ Merlin I don't think the heat is an issue itself... It sounds to me like you've got carb adjustment issues, dirty fuel passages, bad timing, or valve clearance... possibly weak spark, and maybe a bad coil... Here's the thing.. it could be any one of them, all of them, or none of them... But here's what you do... start with the things that you can set scientifically... 1.) Set the float level to spec 2.) Set the pilot screws to the standard manual-recommended starting point (make sure you have washers, springs, and o-rings in with the pilot screws) 3.) If you have $40 - $70 bucks lying around, replace your coil (and wires) with a brand new one (do not get a used one) 4.) Do the "coil power mod" (see KTOF or KZRider.com for assistance) 5.) Pour 1/3 to 1/2 of a small can of Seafoam into your full gas tank 6.) Check valve clearance while COLD. Replace shims if needed 7.) Set timing using static method 8.) Set/check plug gap ...Note that all of that was before you even start it... Now, start it, and... 9.) Set timing with timing light 10.) Set carb balance with a manometer 11.) Adjust pilot screws as directed by the Manual... ...oh, and when I say "manual", I mean the "Kawasaki Service Manual", accept no substitutes... 12.) Now head on over to the KTOF, join, and ask for additional help... 8-) @ Merlin

I don’t think the heat is an issue itself… It sounds to me like you’ve got carb adjustment issues, dirty fuel passages, bad timing, or valve clearance… possibly weak spark, and maybe a bad coil…

Here’s the thing.. it could be any one of them, all of them, or none of them… But here’s what you do… start with the things that you can set scientifically…
1.) Set the float level to spec
2.) Set the pilot screws to the standard manual-recommended starting point (make sure you have washers, springs, and o-rings in with the pilot screws)
3.) If you have $40 – $70 bucks lying around, replace your coil (and wires) with a brand new one (do not get a used one)
4.) Do the “coil power mod” (see KTOF or KZRider.com for assistance)
5.) Pour 1/3 to 1/2 of a small can of Seafoam into your full gas tank
6.) Check valve clearance while COLD. Replace shims if needed
7.) Set timing using static method
8.) Set/check plug gap
…Note that all of that was before you even start it… Now, start it, and…
9.) Set timing with timing light
10.) Set carb balance with a manometer
11.) Adjust pilot screws as directed by the Manual…
…oh, and when I say “manual”, I mean the “Kawasaki Service Manual”, accept no substitutes…
12.) Now head on over to the KTOF, join, and ask for additional help…

8-)

]]> By: Merlin http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-448 Merlin Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:32:33 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-448 Hello, I have a 1978 KZ750B2. I live in Phoenix, Az, and when I ride it in the heat (105) the idle will not stay steady. I adjust, and adjust, and adjust and get the manual sated 1,000 rpm idle. Once I start riding, this changes (usually drops). Many times it will come to an idle, and then die a few seconds later. When it's cooler out, this seems to happen less, but it has still died while at idle. I have adjusted in cool and warm weather, and when the bike is both cool and warm. When I'm driving, it runs and sounds fine. I ran the pilot screws out to give it more fuel and have adjusted the idle knob as well. That only resulted in popping and a whisp of white smoke out the pipe when I rev it after about a miute of idle (stop light). Did the opposite, no smoke, still dies. It is missing the decel cable on the throttle, but the spring is stout and it seems to close consistently every time. It has about 32,000 miles on it. I'm guessing the cable, fuel evaporating in a hot carb, or spark plug gap? Any help solving this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!! Hello,
I have a 1978 KZ750B2. I live in Phoenix, Az, and when I ride it in the heat (105) the idle will not stay steady. I adjust, and adjust, and adjust and get the manual sated 1,000 rpm idle. Once I start riding, this changes (usually drops). Many times it will come to an idle, and then die a few seconds later. When it’s cooler out, this seems to happen less, but it has still died while at idle. I have adjusted in cool and warm weather, and when the bike is both cool and warm. When I’m driving, it runs and sounds fine. I ran the pilot screws out to give it more fuel and have adjusted the idle knob as well. That only resulted in popping and a whisp of white smoke out the pipe when I rev it after about a miute of idle (stop light). Did the opposite, no smoke, still dies. It is missing the decel cable on the throttle, but the spring is stout and it seems to close consistently every time. It has about 32,000 miles on it. I’m guessing the cable, fuel evaporating in a hot carb, or spark plug gap?
Any help solving this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

]]> By: JMD http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-335 JMD Fri, 14 May 2010 01:13:37 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-335 I have owned a 1979 KZ 750 B4 twin for 30 years, bought it when it was a year old. If you are into old bikes, it is very, very dependable. They don't bring much money at all, for re-sale, as the bike was never popular, even when it was brand new. If you are selling it to make money, don't expect much. I've kept mine because it's dependable, smooth riding. One thing though, is this bike has always been a very cold starter, usually have to throw a little choke on it even in warm weather for a bit. JMD 1965 Honda C110 1973 Kawasaki Z900 1975 Kawasaki Z900 1976 Kawasaki KZ900 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 1979 Kawasaki KZ750 (twin) I have owned a 1979 KZ 750 B4 twin for 30 years, bought it when it was a year old. If you are into old bikes, it is very, very dependable. They don’t bring much money at all, for re-sale, as the bike was never popular, even when it was brand new. If you are selling it to make money, don’t expect much. I’ve kept mine because it’s dependable, smooth riding. One thing though, is this bike has always been a very cold starter, usually have to throw a little choke on it even in warm weather for a bit.

JMD
1965 Honda C110
1973 Kawasaki Z900
1975 Kawasaki Z900
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
1978 Kawasaki KZ1000
1979 Kawasaki KZ750 (twin)

]]> By: Biquetoast http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-320 Biquetoast Tue, 04 May 2010 11:28:35 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-320 @ Robert Looks like I'm at a triple disadvantage in answering your question: I can't see it, it sounds a bit non-standard (wheels at least), and your writing style suggests you're in the UK (so I don't know local values). I'll have to pass on this one, in hopes that someone from the UK might have an idea. Of course, you can always go to the forums I mention here for further discussion and help: http://kz750twins.com/?cat=6 Good luck!! @ Robert

Looks like I’m at a triple disadvantage in answering your question: I can’t see it, it sounds a bit non-standard (wheels at least), and your writing style suggests you’re in the UK (so I don’t know local values).

I’ll have to pass on this one, in hopes that someone from the UK might have an idea. Of course, you can always go to the forums I mention here for further discussion and help:
http://kz750twins.com/?cat=6

Good luck!!

]]> By: Robert http://kz750twins.com/?cpage=1#comment-318 Robert Mon, 03 May 2010 20:08:13 +0000 http://kz750twins.com/?page_id=105#comment-318 Hi all, I have a 1979 KZ 750 Twin import in top condition with Alloy spooked wheels.Thinking about selling it on... any idea of the value ? As I don't see many around. Thanks Hi all, I have a 1979 KZ 750 Twin import in top condition with Alloy spooked wheels.Thinking about selling it on… any idea of the value ? As I don’t see many around. Thanks

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