LeRoux - South Africa

Good morning everybody,

My Name is LeRoux and I am in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am currently busy fixing a 1983 Z1300 that was i a slight accident. The Previous owners made some plans with the electrical system and a few other items.

I have had the bike resprayed back to original - Black with gold and red pin striping. Now, i need to start assembling the bits and pieces but everything has got issues on this bike, doesnt matter where i strip, there is something that needs fixing.... I have ordered parts from Megazip.net as well as z1300.de.

I want to order a ultrasonic cleaner today to clean the carbs - already done it at a company recently - but its a nifty tool to have in the garage.

I have got the following bikes currently - not all running though

1979 CBX 1000 - American Spec - Stock standard and original
2010 KTM 990 Adventure R - My Beast - love this bike
1983 Kawasaki Z1300 - Currently busy with it.
1983 Kawasaki Z1100 Shaft - next project bike
1972 Yamaha R5 350cc Air Cooled Two stroke - busy buying spare parts online
Honda ATC 70 - Needs lots of TLC
1972 Yamaha V90T Postie - was standing for 10 years - cleaned the Carb and it started after 3rd Kick. 65000 km on the clock
Honda CT110 - Scrap project - just a pile of rust i bought online....
Yamaha DT50LC - Stripped and in process of building as well
Yamaha RZ50 LC - got enough spares to build two bikes
Honda ST70 - Fixing for a friend

If the exchange rate was a little more in my favor i would have had more bikes done already

I hear you. The Canadian exchange is shit as well. And it gets worse - exchange, taxes and fees. I hope you don't waste too much energy trying to save the country and the world! haha I don't think it can be done. In the meantime, a good big ultrasonic cleaner will make a few bikes happy. Never an all-in-one final solution, but a great investment! I couldn't recommend enough owning one. Or actually two. One - big enough to completely immerse a six cylinders, another one small for a single carburetor a a quick cleaning of a bunch of screws. The big one I have is enough to completely clean a 4 cylinder block. A 6 cylinder must be done partially turning sides, so I'm regretting not getting one a bit bigger. But how many 6 cylinders I'll be frequently cleaning? So, no problem. Now, I need a vapor blasting cabinet to be really happy.. haha

It sounds like an interesting project, please keep us updated , and post some photos if possible.
It would be nice to see a picture of your CBX and others too.

@ StanG, which brand of Ultrasonic equipment can you recommend? I want to order but would rather buy something that i have got a reference .....

What solution do you use to soak the parts in?

I will make a plan to upload images soon.....

Again, WELCOME to the site !! Looks like you have a few challenges ahead of you.
The gang love to see pics. Kinda helps spruce up the site.
We're here to help when you need it. Feel free to ask your questions.
Looking forward to seeing posts on your builds.

KB

Hi Leroux from the Kiwi contingent!
Johannesburg, bounced in and out of their over the years.
this is a pretty good site to be a member on mate!, everyone is very helpful, and believe it or not you definitely aren't the first to have a huge task on hand trying to restore a 1300.
Rob and i just spent a few days trying to sort issues with my KZ1300, some others may find this interesting!!
my wiring loom seems to be a combination of European and American looms (ie l/switch loom has only half the colours for American set up, the other half matches with the European wiring diagrams) GO FIGURE!
my only advice is tackle each part expecting to find issues and make sure you fully sort each issue before moving on, anything that just woks out well is a bonus.
nice to se another person on the site trying to save all and sunder!
i have 9 bikes some in various stages of restore/repair.
good luck Dion