That other twin.

MacMcMacmac

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Anyone have a KZ750B or LTD? Not the looker an XS is IMO, but it's starting to interest me.

Make mine green please. Hugest sidepanels in bikedom!
kawasaki-versys-and-78-kz750b-001-jpg.275372


Some nice ones about. Without a Mike's KZ, you're flying solo though.

Kawasaki-KZ750B-par-HB-Custom-4.jpg


I'm a sucker for oddball stuff. I figure even the cast offs were a big deal to some designer at some point. There must be some good in every one.
 
I have one! It's apart right now. shortened the subframe by about 5 inches because no one needs to go three up. Still fits stock side covers and tailpiece. It's my "forever project"...gs1100 swing arm...refurbished marzzochis. Ill put up a pick at some point.
 
I've got a KZ 650C/ 750 GPz hybrid project in the shed and I'm going to go to Phoenix/Mesa in the morning to take a look at a well baked KZ 750 LTD for another project. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are evil, EVIL I tell you!
 
I went to see the KZ750 LTD. I knew it was a inline 4 fromk the pic in the add. Just about any missing part I may already have, except Kehin carb kits. But I do have a set of fairly fresh BS34's from that 750 GPz engine I can borrow. Wiring wasn't too bad. Missing a seat. I bought it. I go back Tuesday with truck and trailer to bring it back to Tucson.
 
No parts problem so far. Z-1 enterprises, Dime city Cycles and others has kept me in parts. Of course ebay helps too. As for wrenching on them, other than 2 more carbs to clean and sync and 4 more valves to keep in adjustment, no worse than any other classic bike.
Almost forgot about taking the cam out to get to the 13mm diameter shim under the cap. Then you have to retime the cam and crank to install. Then hope that the shims you had to swap out were the right ones when you check the valve clearances again.
 
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No parts problem so far. Z-1 enterprises, Dime city Cycles and others has kept me in parts. Of course ebay helps too. As for wrenching on them, other than 2 more carbs to clean and sync and 4 more valves to keep in adjustment, no worse than any other classic bike.
Almost forgot about taking the cam out to get to the 13mm diameter shim under the cap. Then you have to retime the cam and crank to install. Then hope that the shims you had to swap out were the right ones when you check the valve clearances again.

So the wrenching is the same but more ---for many cylinder bikes But how About Prices ?? One big advantage with XS650
Honda CB 750 has the reputation one cant afford to Restore because the parts even though they are available
Are expensive.
 
Years ago I turned wrenches at a cycle boneyard part time. A guy sold one of these cheap... $100.oo cheap, because the tranny was shot. I started it up in the shop... center stand.. and dropped it in gear... sounded like ball bearings in a tin can being crushed. We had a good used engine so I was going to do the swap. Pulled the chain cover off the " bad " motor and saw that the engine sprocket nut had backed off.. the sprocket slid off the shaft and was spinning on the shaft threads. I used my thread file.. slid everything back in place.. used red Loc-Tite ..... hour later it was on the show room floor. :)
 
So the wrenching is the same but more ---for many cylinder bikes But how About Prices ?? One big advantage with XS650
Honda CB 750 has the reputation one cant afford to Restore because the parts even though they are available
Are expensive.

Over the years, I seemed to have aquired a lot of parts for the KZ 650's and 750 4 cylinder bikes. If I don't have the part, I do a lot of looking on ebay or retailer/shops. If it's really costly, sometimes the plastic gets hurt. It's a matter of "How bad do I want it." Just like the extra wrenching on a 4 vs 2 cylinder.
BTW I'm going back to Mesa Tuesday with a trailer to pick up my new project. Even scored a oilpan with the oil cooler connection cheap!
 
Buddy had an LTD when I was in the Navy. I never did ride it. Didn't know it came in a "standard" model, I think that looks much nicer.

My son had an LTD 4 cylinder. We converted it to an upright sitting machine very easily with new bars and the footpegs and controls were already factory machined for both riding positions.

Scott
 
This bike has always been on my "radar" because I like twins. I even downloaded the shop manual, lol. But after looking through it and looking at the carb rebuild link from Gary, I think this bike is just too complicated. It has dual overhead cams and the valves use shims for adjusting. The carbs are very similar to our BS38's but their linkage set-up is quite a bit more complex. And I see that rebuild article claims the main jets are something special? What's up with that? Think I'll pass, lol.
 
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