TOPIC:

I've been lurking here for a bit but have yet to post. Well, that'll change now.

I'm in the (long) process of building and customizing a '79 KZ1300. Right now I'm looking at some engine work that I didn't really want to do, but sometimes that's how the thing goes. My last build -- a couple years ago now -- was a 1982 Honda CX500 Turbo, and that was a hoot. I still ride it every so often, but that one was a build with an appreciation of keeping the bike stock. The KZ I want to make my own.

So hello, all!

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your project! I'm with you on customizing your bike to what like. Hoping I get mine going after a 10 yr break!

Right now I'm a little disheartened; I was hoping to get by on the stock pistons and rings, but the rings in one piston are stuck fast and that cylinder also has some moderate to serious pitting at the top. It's looking like I'm going to have to throw a big-bore kit at the bike, which is just more than I wanted to spend on the engine.

As far as how I envision the bike, I'd like to take cues from the flat-trackers of the late '70s and early '80s. Obviously the KZ1300 would make an awful flat-track bike but that's the appeal of doing it up this way: It hasn't been done. I'm thinking fat forks, no front fender, large front tire, low-rise internally-wired bars, minimal instrumentation (with toggle switches!), and a bobbed rear end. I'm capable of doing all this myself; all it takes is time and money though, eh? Unfortunately I'm a bit short on both of those!

I picked up this bike a few months ago and have been steadily tearing into it. I did a full rebuild of the carburetors already and have done a mild port job on the head. While I had the cylinder head apart I also replaced the valve seals and lapped the seats. I have the cylinder block off, but I'm in the process of pulling the engine right now so I can just throw it on my workbench and give it a good cleaning while I'm at it. Plus, that will allow me better access so I can media-blast the frame and repaint it. However, that engine is in there tight -- stubborn little bugger! I managed to get all four bolts out of the U-joint and (I think!) all the engine mounting rods but it's still stuck fast in place, even though I'm cranking on it with a bridled strap on a quarter-ton overhead hoist.

To find all the mounting locations for the engine, most parts sellers such as Bike Bandit, Ron Ayers or Kawasaki.com have schematics for every part of the bike including engine mount locations.
With the cylinder block off , it shouldn't be that difficult.

Found the three bolts and disconnected the driveshaft from the transmission. Still sticking. I think I might hit the mount points with some PB.