The bike's a 1980 KZ1000 A4 found in the states a couple of years ago. Is a one owner bike.
I'm planning to re-paint the bike in the std Ebony finish. Have reached out to Flying Tiger Paints for a quote. All of the paintwork is off the bike ready to go. Anyone used Flying Tiger?
I've managed to source an original dealer take-off seat in the US - correct for the A4 model. Fingers crossed it looks as good in the flesh as the photos. We shall see - always a gamble I find.
I've been through and checked all of the electrics and everything is in good working order - good spark on all 4 cylinders as well.
The bike came to me with the VM28SS carbs in a box - I started stripping them yesterday evening & they are pretty bad. Very bad in fact.
Completely filthy & full of varnish / sludge. In particular the pilot jet in carb #4 has snapped off in the body. Not the threaded part - the top 2-3mm of the perforated end. May come out with a small easy-out but not convinced. Seems very much 'in there'. I may have to resort to drilling carefully.
Alternatively I'm thinking about treating her to a set of CR29's - anyone have any experience of running these on a stock KZ1000? Given the std pipes are long gone and she's running a Kerker CR's may be a bettr option if I can't resurrect the VM28SS's?
I'm also thinking about changing the Kerker pipe for a Moriwaki / Nitro pipe from Japan. Will wait to get he bike running & dialed in again before I change the pipe. Any recommendations welcome.
Parts I'll need to source:
Chrome parts (chrome beyond saving):
- Handlebars, Kick start, rear brake pedal, gearchange lever.
Complete headlight assembly
Chrome front mud guard
opinions / feedback / advice very welcome.
I'll do my best to keep the thread updated as I progress..
Cheers,
James.
Photos pre-recommission:
