1982 KZ1300 rescue and rebuild

Hey Stan ! Regarding your new instrument cluster: (Nice find and a great price) - I enlarged your photo cuz something caught my eye. Is it some weird illusion or are both needles on the wrong side of the "0" stop-pins ?


The fan-switch is 1/8" NPT. this is a common tap and should be available at any 'tool" place or auto-shop. Pipe sealant (used sparingly) or Teflon tape will work equally as well.
I was lucky when I dropped my oil-pan this past winter - the gasket remained intact and attached to the pan. When It was time to put the pan back on I just wiped the gasket with a clean cloth and put it back on dry. No leaks ! The polished cam-cover needed a new gasket as the original has always remained stuck to my original cover. To ensure this new gasket stayed with the cover when removed I did two things: 1) I sprayed the cly-head side with silicone -let it dry and gave it a second spray. 2) For the cover-side I used Permatex-2 gasket sealer. Out of the tube it was too thick so I cut it with some Lacquer-thinner until I had a consistency that let me apply a light coat evenly with a small artists paint-brush. No "oozing" when torqued. I had the thermostat cover off this winter and re-assembled with a new gasket - dry. No leaks.

No time for anything else right now except this quick update pick - I just owe you because you read this.

It looks fabulous ! Are you pleased with the powder coating job?

Thank you Jim! I am stoked! The powder coating is fantabulous. It looks even way better in person. The frame being the basis around which the bike is built, I'd say go for it and don't look back. Just like you told me all along! It was expensive overall, but now the bike has a solid clean frame which will last until I own it and way beyond.
There are unfortunately a few surfaces which I asked them to mask but they didn't and powder coated, like inside the triple tree where it goes around the forks, and sides of the frame where the swing arm stoppers come. So, I will have to use some of the famed elbow grease to remove it with sand paper. Other than that, all is good.

As you see, I already put the engine case back in the frame! Wasn't difficult at all with bare hands. I have a mat underneath the bike and it will stay for now just like that, while I attach a few things here and there. Swing arm etc. And the cylinder block as well. Then, I will raise it off the floor. Everything is clean now, so it's a clean job and environment!

Scotch - good observation! Instead of writing, I will let the picture do the talking. I got two new needles from Lauri, and what can I say - there are no coincidences! They will fit right in, and I am glad to see that the inner springs, or whatever pulls the needles back, are working!



Not to boast too much, but I am very happy and I'd like to share it. Another 60 bucks got me another 'my precious'

Ah yes, The bent needle syndrome. Mine did the same after 35+ years. Hard to imagine that the "Hair-spring" can apply enough force to bend them but I guess when you account for the time X force - it takes it's toll. I got a few extra years from my originals by putting a thin coating of clear lacquer over them as they were full of hair-line cracks - but eventually they started to crumble. I got a couple of replacement needles from Lauri as well - not long ago. Like new again !
You're on the "down-hill" now ! It's been interesting to watch your progress and determination ! Can't wait to see the finished project in person.

Stan, did you obtain a set of reproduction warning / service decals for the bike - for such components as the coolant tank, fork, radiator etc..?