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And old photo when disassembling the bike...
What is this ground wire for? Spare ground? I think I heard that's what it is, just need confirmation.

Yes, spare ground.

Here another post related to the blast from the past. On the forum, and other places, I hear a lot about starting problems. My bike had that - poor cranking, the starter just spinning, basically not consistent. Eventually, all I could hear is the solenoid clicking. I have to mention that the photos I am posting below are not KZ1300, but a 1983 Honda GL1100. The same era bike, and the basic starter components, except the gears, are very similar, so this applies to our bikes very well. Probably, if I didn't mention this, most wouldn't know it's a different motor. I've done this one recently and taking photos I thought they will help to visualize what can be happening inside a 30 year old running bike's starter. I'd call it shocking!

What I did was first unscrew and clean all ground connection - cables plus any frame and crank case points. Then checked the solenoid. When all was eliminated, the only thing left was the starter. After removal and opening it, this is what I found - unbelievable accumulation of carbon dust and whatever dirt particles which made their way inside. After cleaning everything and installing new brushes, a $12 investment, this starter is like new and cranks like a champ. So, back to the main reason why I am posting this, it's a reminder that on the old bikes it is a good idea to remove and service the starter - quite a straight forward thing to do. Anyone who would like to see the KZ1300 starter I rebuild few moths ago, with pictures, it's somewhere within the pages of this thread. It wasn't as dirty as this one, but being a wreck sitting in all weather for years, had a lot of rust residue.

The thing I've been dreading, but I have no choice but to take care of it. I call it the bullshit phase of my restoration. Actually the biggest final one, as I have to screw around taking the bike apart and play with dust as a wood worker, and there were countless 'bullshit' stages of this project. I have no heart nor patience for this, and I just want to make it crude as long as it would serve this once in a lifetime purpose - moving the bike without wheels.

So far I managed to cut a few pieces of 2x4 and put them together with long screws, so they stay in place, but the main part of the 'structure' are the orange straps. Those I used to remove the cylinder head.

The objective has been to protect the oil pan and create a flat area under the bike so it could be paired with a flat surface rectangular dolly.
The dolly will have 4 full swivel caster wheels, so I could rotate the bike without moving it. It has go through tight corners and an elevator, and move without too much difficulty on carpet uneven concrete surfaces.

I need to get more straps, the caster wheels, a piece of very thick plywood, more long screws, and hopefully I will be able to lift the bike high enough with the little jack that I have to remove the wheels and set the bike safely on the dolly... kind of simultaneously. I also have to keep in mind the reverse process in the garage...

It might seem like a simple oh, just put it on a dolly action plan, but there are more tings to keep in mind doing this than anyone would expect.



Once I stabilize the bike the side stand will be taken off, and I will add another 2x4 there to finish creating the flat base for the dolly.

Stan the orange ties make it look gift-wrapped !
A lovely present for the one you love...

Re the woodwork, no worries, Noah would've hired you on the spot. : )

LOL It's a total improvisation and no design, with pieces of wood that I happen to have. No form whatsoever, haha I just placed pieces to prevent the 'structure' from shifting, and then used the straps to make it solid with the bike. More orange straps will come, as I will be pushing the bike not the dolly. I hope the love will be reciprocated!
It's going to look like a mummy or an orange cocoon - a true meaning added to resurrection! hahaha