Here is a short write-up on the latest stage of my KZ750 LTD. Questions, comments, and feedback are always welcome.
I picked this bike up about 4 years ago from the 2nd owner. He parked it some time back when the starter clutch went out and it sat in his garage for about couple of years. I picked it up pretty cheap not knowing what all it needed and started bringing it back to life. After about 2 years of tinkering, this is what I had. The bodywork (painted by the previous owner) consisted of stock tank and side covers, an aftermarket Harley rear fender and GS1100 front fender. I bobbed the rear fender and maintained the "tombstone" taillight:



I thought it looked good, but the look of the king/queen seat and stock exhaust never really worked for me. I put about 7k miles on it before the engine cases started to leak oil and the cam chain was so stretched that the stock tensioner would no longer keep it quiet. I decided to pull the motor and freshen up the gaskets and replace the cam chain. Around the same time I ran into the previous owner and he told me that he still had the original bodywork for the bike. We made a trade for the bodywork (he gave me deal as he was happy to see the bike coming back together). Here is a pic of the mock-up stage (I was still working on the exhaust; seat was already redone):



I tore into it in April of this year, and just got back together last week. The main goal was to make a mild custom with good performance and a period-correct 1980’s look, while not draining the entire bank account. Here are the current specs (as best I can remember):
1980 KZ750 LTD ("H" model)
Stock engine, 34K miles, polished cases
K&N pod filters, stock exhaust headpipes with aftermarket "shorty" mufflers, DynoJet stage 3 jet kit
Modified stock swingarm, 3" over, 530 chain with 16/42 sprockets
Original bodywork, paint and chrome
modified ("cut down")and recovered seat
Minor frame mods; trimmed turn signal and side reflector brackets, removed center stand and brackets
Freshened up engine gaskets and o-rings, cleaned pistons, rings, head (there was a lot of carbon buildup)
Replaced cam chain, guides, installed APE manual tensioner
My influences were mostly Brat style, dirt/street tracker, and dragbike style.

And here are a couple of pics:

 

I like the black way better! Nice job man! Welcome to the forums.

 

Thanks, I like the black bodywork too. I like your KLX as well. I sold my KLX250S a few months ago to help fund a W650 purchase. Pics of the W will be up here soon as well.

 

THAT is classic iron! +1 on the black, and also on the seat mod. Any issues with forks flexing at speed? Might consider a fork brace if it was my everyday keeper/rider. A set of smoothbores would really set that off. Maybe a set of piggyback shocks from a Honda F, too? The black/gold theme gives me a Norton or 70's Triumph Trident flavor (engine aside). I LOVE it. Very well done. Welcome to the Forums.

 

Nice looking ride!!

That was my second bike. Sure wish I would have kept it. Gave it to my father-in-law who tried to Harleyize it . He gave it to my brother-in-law who just trashed it .

Enjoy!

 

Thanks for the suspension info jeffzx9. I have not noticed any flex in the front forks, but I do not ride with as much spirit as I once did; mostly concerned about keeping the shiny side up these days... Maybe stage 3 will include some suspension mods for the North Carolina mountain twisties.

 

Great looking bike. I recently added a 1980 to the stable and want to make some changes. Your pics are the direction I want to go. Questions: what handlebars do you have and did you have to make mods on the cables, etc. Mine are mini ape hangers that were stock. Another question is your seat. I have the stock seat that looks like a lazy boy recliner and want to go with a more brat type seat. Obviously the frame is not good for a universal brat seat but yours is the look. When you say you cut it down what does that mean? Thanks.

Kyle

 

HELP fellow Kawasaki builders, I’m in the middle of rebuilding the bike into a cafe racer.
i have the entire front end and went with 40 spoked front wheel.... does anyone know of a spoked rear wheel for this bike?...