1978 Kawasaki KZ750: Will it run?

[@mattyb1030]

That was my first bike. Loved that bike. Had it bored out a little, and a little bigger swing arm. Now i want to find another one and restore it

[@BlackRust]

It's 8 am here in eastern Europe. I just dropped off my kid to school, and hearing this Kawa start after so much time while drinking first morning coffee is one of the best ways to start a day. Thanks. 👍

[@martind349]

Peace from The United States of America to our friends in all Europe.

[@donaldcameron8909]

Fucken-A man totally cool

[@boxwoodgreen]

I bought the '78 KZ650-C new when I was 22. Awesome bike. Every time I see a bike go by, or see one on KZbin I miss it. Had to sell it to go back to school. : (

[@Wild1Banana]

I owned a 78 KZ 750 TWIN when I was Airman in the USAF and rode the bike for 4 years in all weather and it was my only transportation in my younger days. I loved this bike it was reliable and had great range compared to other bikes of its time. I also enjoyed how easy it was to ride in difficult terrain and trails. Great Bike I would love to find a good bike to restore and ride again. I loved the sound of the bike with the stock muffler it was quite and a joy to ride.

[@boxwoodgreen]

@@Wild1Banana The Kawasaki twins were, and still are awesome engines. I'm watching for an old KLR built before they switched over to the electronic ignitions.

[@davidevelyn530]

Just rebuilt the 4 carbs on a 79 Honda Gold Wing. Soaked in your same carb cleaner and then ultrasonic cleaned later. Noticed a blown head gasket so thanks to your tutorial will be reconditioning the head. New seal, etc. Even an ol' fart like me can learn from you Texas youngins...... Thanks

[@KaiEkdahl]

I dont know ANYTHING about bikes. But saw the entire video. Nice.

[@brianjack5902]

Looking forward to the build. I had a kz650 in high school and have had the kz 900 and also kz1000 over the years. They make great cafe racers and are reliable. Good to see this project. Keep up the good work.

[@assessor1276]

Nice video Taylor and a great score on that Kawi 750. They definitely were not common models and that one is in great shape (bit that kind&queen seat has to go along with those hideous rototiller bars. Virtually all 1970-80s bikes needed the kill (not ignition) switch in “RUN” position to crank over and until about 1980, many of them did not have safety switches on the clutch and side stands. This made for a good deal of hilarity in the Dairy Queen parking lot many Saturday nights when the odd bike would start, wind itself off the side stand and then toddle, riderless, across the parking lot before crashing into a car or curb. Those Mikuni carbs look just like the ones on my Yamaha XS650s and based on that experience, you may find that the typical corrugated K&N pod filters don’t work as well as smooth foam UniFilters. We find that it is difficult to get the XS650 to idle with the K&N pods - the theory being that they cause an unstable airflow which causes the vacuum slides to bounce up and down. I don’t know if that is true, but the bikes run better on smooth foam filters. Cheers, Pete

[@wirenutt57]

I just finished an XS650 that was in approximately in this shape. I'm looking for 70's and 80's parallel twins to refurb, and I've been looking for one of these KZ750 twins for ages. Problem is bikes like that up here in the cold northeast are few and far between. Nice job on the carbs.

[@nakoawarrior3186]

I cleaned mine over a 2 week period, I put a bunch of washers on bolts about 18 of them then 18 nuts and made a flat plate for the bottom of my tank and a gasket, then I sprayed in carburetor cleaner and I slowly slide the stuff around in it,....from time to time for a few days. Then I took them out with a magnet. I also dragged the magnet to remove chunks of rust too. Then I dumped it out. Then I put in dish washing liquid and shook it out the top several times. Then I kept doing it and took the bottom plate off to flush out the chunks of rust. I'd shake it up and dump out all of the rust chunks. I put the plate back on and filled it with vinegar,...that was the two weeks thing,... I was busy. Then I dumped it out and flushed it out with hot water till chunks stopped coming out. I put the plate back on and put 90% alcohol in and shook it up and dumped it out. Then I put old chainsaw gas in it and shook it up. To Oil coat it. I'd find an air Box so I didn't have to do a bunch of jetting and carburetor tuning. If the battery don't turn it over I'm not going to burn it up with a low weak battery I'm going to KICK START IT. That bike was really well cared for. Great job.

[@shasta824]

My first project and first bike is a Craigslist wonder that cost me $125 but no title. It is a KZ750 1981. So I am very interested in this build. I have enjoyed your other builds and look forward to seeing how the scrambler part of this build turns out. I was able to have a couple of wrench nights with some buddies and we were able to get the carbs rebuilt and started the bike! It was a great feeling! Now I just need to get the cash to complete phase two of getting it rideable. Need brake work and a new tank. Plus new tires. After that I will decide what kind of build it will be. Thanks again for the inspiration to keep going.

[@dmasterson12]

That ultra sonic cleaner did some magic. Those parts looked horrible!!! And you got a hell of a deal with how that thing is running after that carb clean up

[@ephenseagal2581]

Excited to see what you do with the seat. Got a 1980 KZ1000 that I’m stuck on. This series couldn’t have come at a better time for me personally.

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

Congrats on the carb rebuild. Kawasaki would send dealers new ones for bikes with drivability problems. These bike share a lot of parts with KZ 1000’s. Wheels, hubs, gauges, swing arm, brakes, same as the 1000. Good luck with the oil filter, it’s under the front sprocket cover.

[@donparker1823]

Definitely not a stock restoration. I made a TT bike out of one of these about 15 years ago. Really enjoyed it.

[@dan40754]

Taylor, love your channel and the way that you tackle your projects. I know that you intend to do a build on this bike whether it be a cafe or otherwise. Just to ask you to consider keeping the bike original. The Z750 twin is reasonably rare and was often overlooked in favour of the Z650, Z750 and Z900 fours and as someone else has commented the twin was a great engine. I know you like Hondas so a suggestion is to work your magic and put it back to almost stock and flip it. I am sure you will make enough money to buy a great project Honda. Once again love your channel and best regards from Scotland.

[@scottmoody5685]

Cool video man, I luv working on old kz bikes and older gs models. I've been restoring a 1981 GS850L,a 1982 GS1100L, and a 1985 GPZ900(all at same time) for the passed several years! Keeps me busy and just watching you brings back many carb cleaning and parts locating memories. I really know what its like, keep up the good work. I'm Scott in Detroit

[@jeremypalm4730]

Got a GPZ 900 also. Stuck in the very bottom of Iowa in Keokuk. Beautiful bikes. Just complicated to deal with lol. Someone decided to drop a flat head bit in the head and it destroyed a valve. Would love to hear back from you.

[@theone2be33]

Anything that brings an old boy back to its former glory is A-OK to me! 👍👌

[@PeterAndersons]

You should see what the carbs and tank looked like on my 750 Honda resto. Great job mate!

[@markhorton7013]

Nice job... remember these 750's well from my past. Check out that rear tyre... the wheel itself looks ok but around 16+ mins into the vid but you can see the tyre isn't running true. (maybe a tyre change is on the cards eh.) Love your methodology btw.

[@billburnard3790]

My 82 kz305 carbs looked like molasses. Love the channel!

[@ba7134]

Good job Taylor! You deserve more viewers!

[@secfsailor]

The metal rescue works well you will love it.

[@Gus-cg9yp]

Hi, great job Taylor , the bike sounds promising , thanks. Gus

[@johnadgate3346]

I have a 1980 kz750 that I bought after being inspired by your videos to find a project and tackle it. It's been a difficult process and being that it's my first attempt at something like this is even more so frustrating to the point where it's been on the back burner for a while. I was wondering if you had any links to where you found the manual and where you got your carb kit from. It's been really hard trying to find parts or really any info about this bike and when I saw you bought one to work on i was so excited because your in depth videos were what made me want to get into this.

[@momsazombie1]

Great video, excited to see where this goes and I support you doing your own thing with it - might be a rare bike but they weren't built all that pretty in my opinion.

[@82Bjarni]

Solid engine those kz 750 twins

[@garycorde994]

Nice job on the carbs. Hopefully the smoke from the left cylinder stops after a few heat cycles, otherwise you're gonna have to take a look at the valve guides.

[@skullsandflames123]

You might be interested in this (if this bike has this feature), but a LOT of Kawasakis won't shift into 2nd unless you are rolling at least a couple miles per hour or so. Pull up as hard as you want, and it goes right into neutral. I noticed you cautiously fumbling for neutral (like we all do) and thought I'd share this info, lol. It's a really handy feature, Idk why it didn't standardize. You might check to see if this bike is set up like that!

[@skullsandflames123]

My '78 Kz1000 has it, I actually got it cheap because of it, lol. The guy I got it from got it "kinda" running once. He did a burn-out against a wall into 2nd and it died again. It got stuck in 2nd. Apparently it has to be rolling to go back down, as well. He thought he seriously screwed something up in the transmission, so it became pretty much not worth the effort to him anymore. I ended up with it and discovered the feature through web research. I got it running and built cafe style, and it's been shifting fine since, lol. I've put nearly a thousand miles on it and learned to love the super easy neutral feature!

[@ClassicOctane]

Oh nice. I will have to try that out. Thanks!

[@Lord_Verminaard]

I've always loved that about Kawasaki transmissions, they seem to shift better than any other bike I have ridden.

[@ratrodcourier8576]

Taylor! Love what you do! Subbed! Just had my madden voyage on my first brat build. Cl350 in the corner awaiting tear down.

[@davidnelson9550]

Man you make this stuff look easy! Haha

[@sevenity2677]

Chop time! Excited to see how it goes! Got my engine mounts in and about to weld them on.

[@wrongwaync]

Sounds good!I'm at a similar spot with an 81 550 maxim-not a great candidate for a cafe; but here in the great white north I have all winter to come up with a plan

[@mikeymike3240]

Fantastic job on the carbs , it sounds great, now, gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme , I want it now , Right now. Lol and don't muck it up , or I'll have to go over there and sort you out , OK. great video , I love watching her view . 😀👍👍👍👍👍

[@ups3357]

Great video! I'm anxious to see what you do with this bike

[@Alex-qy8fm]

I was very nervous to use that carb cleaner on the whole carb. Obviously it didn’t hurt your carb. I guess I will try it!

[@gregbetts8057]

give my left nut for one of these. i was looking at one of these back in 79 , but was talked into a suzy 76 750gt , i think this would have been a better ride . good vid , thanks

[@samanthasteele1586]

I got a 76 and it's been sitting out side for about 5 years in Montana weather

[@ClassicOctane]

Pull that thing inside and get it running!

[@michaeledwards5527]

My Dad had a kz750 same color. Brings bad some good memories. Great bikes of the era. GaMike 82fxwg

[@johng2490]

Awesome! Subbed! I know everybody uses ultrasonic cleaners for carbs, but IMHO they seem too aggressive for the flaots maybe? . I work in a medical office and to test our ultrasonic cleaners we throw a piece of tin foil in the solution, if holes start forming in the foil we know it is working correctly........ mmmm just a thought.

[@ronechols]

Wow...looks like a win!

[@Darnetheous]

Recently acquired a '78 KZ750. Subbed your channel and sent an email via your website. Would love to get it running again.

[@hopsgarage5513]

Man i Miss my 750

[@CajunGreenMan]

You should get an endoscope for your smartphone. Should be able to integrate the video from that into the regular video. Bet that petcock looks familiar to a few guys who have been to bachelor parties in Vegas!

[@phoenixarizona8441]

What do you think about the Kawasaki kz750 B1 twin I picked up one I've had the kz650 I4 awesome bike I know the 750 B1 twin don't have the power as the KZ650 I4 but are they fun to ride

[@martind349]

I noticed when you filmed the petcock the camera seemed to focus fairly quickly, perhaps because it had a black background, so mebbe if you had a square of black paper or cloth you could hold objects in front of it for a bit of instant viewer gratification.

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

Just used your link to buy the ultrasonic cleaner.

[@NShade0176]

The line on the bottom of the carbs, where do they go to? I got a 76 KZ750 B Twin, rolling frame and box of parts got it to run, but not well. no lines were included.

[@mikeshobbiesandrandomstuff]

Awesome!

[@TheHawkTheHawk]

Yes, yes it will fire!

[@csiautodetail]

New to the channel, I am catching up with your videos, they are good but they will be a better help if you show how you take the carbs of the bike and stuff like that, in a few words more detail step by step, people that have this bike or are interested in buying one of this will gladly appreciate it

[@nathanaelgalindo2799]

I have a 78 kz750 also I was wondering if I can swap it over to an electric starter? the compression on that this is crazy haha

[@dannyblakeslee4863]

Do you sell parts you take off? I have a Kz750 from 78 and am looking for the backrest from the seat like yours.

[@nekzzmonster]

Always love to see dead bikes get back alive! can you tell me please, which kind of oil you put in the cylinders to seal them?

[@shelbybloomingdale4685]

So glad to see a current twin video I just took one on a trade that didn’t run right I cleaned the carbs and it’s doing ok it chokes when I get on it about 4K and I just noticed rust in my tank so I’m gunna address that and clean the carbs again and I also have a pop at idle like you did it’s a 2 into one exited under peddle thought it was lean popping but the a/f screw is out so far that choke doesn’t work and starts ok with out meaning rich? Liked and subbed

[@seanfritz5068]

What are your thoughts on the kz750 twins, are they really underpowered?

[@tcpoole1361]

Nice job

[@zrkn1]

IT'S ALIVE ...IT'S ALIVE

[@davidhoward5586]

A pin hammer is way better to remove the float rods than a five lb lump hammer. I never did like diaphragm carbs no excuse to use such a large hammer on them though lol

[@toddlowe8536]

Hey Taylor, what size jets did you use to compensate for no air box. With my kz750 I'm getting ready to rebuild the carbs and go with pods

[@MrKubbler]

Great video. Keep it up.

[@trumpet951]

I did a quick sift through the comments for an update on the metal rescue. How did it end up working for you?

[@YTjndallas]

Man, I’ve never seen protective bars like those. They’re very wide, Plus I’ve never seen them on the rear.

[@victorhawkins3461]

Terrific job, dude! And what a starting point...you could turn that KZ750 into a bitchin' cafe/brat/street tracker...just happy you're working on a Kawi...a Suzuki anytime soon?

[@trevorbarton1796]

Just found one of these… where did you find parts?

[@bloodaxe595]

I got a 1983 kz750 spectre but I have no idea where I can find a carburetor for it everywhere I look doesn’t give me a whole carb just pieces

[@blakefowler21]

Vm34 mikuni carbs are the upgraded carbs that will work on the kz750 twin

[@blakefowler21]

How did you redo the Smog system?????

[@knockoutcustoms7477]

Those carbs still aren't as bad as most the bikes I've worked on🤔

[@mojo8152]

so aewsome

[@nathanjenkins714]

where did you get your carb kit at?

[@TheSuperduke08]

where do you get your parts

[@Ladosligese]

white vinegar in gastank works just as well :)

[@ClassicOctane]

Cool, I will have to try that next time.

[@captainedc]

Yes but vinegar keeps eating the tank as time goes on.

[@olliem199]

how do you like the ultrasonic cleaner? why did you choose this one? been wanting one for a while!! PS: you can also use straight phosphoric acid to clean your tank, it is cheaper and stronger than tankcleaner/ metalrescue. make sure to rinse it out good and that the tank is dry (slosh out remaining water with alcohol). then fog it straight away with 2stroke oil/ wd40 to prevent flash rust.

[@ClassicOctane]

So far I love it. I went with this one because it should be large enough for 4 Honda carbs still assembled.

[@Fezzler61]

Dang! That sounds great for first start after cleaning. Air cooled? Need a fan on engine? What you all think of the bigger engine/crash guards? I powder coated one black for my cb500 project, but a few folks said they can be trouble in a crash as they can fold and trap your leg. ??? I can't decide if they look good or like crap.

[@ClassicOctane]

I took them off already. They’re too bulky for me. I had two fans running behind me to get some airflow in the garage.

[@jimallen199]

A restoration is all well & good but it needs to be something that has ether collectable value or a strong sentimental value

[@kwwhere]

what chemical is in the ultra sonic cleaner? thanks.

[@bobvido9875]

I dont know if you have good luck when your buying motorcycles? Ive seen 2 videos , and you got them started quit easily! I live in Sweden , ive had to clean carbs on almost every bike i bought and i had very strange electric gremlins. Probably the cold weather and humid. I see the headgasket is sweating a bit ,retorqing the cylinderhead should fix it ,i did it on my 750 and other Kawasakis , fixed it almost everytime. Rear tire is not good eather, probably need a new tire.

[@waylonthompson1149]

Those carbs are nothing compared to some I've opened up I've had to heat the bolts up to get the bowl off

[@salmonslayer49]

Those are nice bikes but man whoever put those crash bars on it should be ashamed! I will be interested in hearing how your float repair works out, I have never had much luck with that because it seems like once pin holes start they just multiply and i just buy new and be done with it.

[@joegarrett8110]

Have you got a link to purchasing that ultrasonic cleaner!? Great job

[@ClassicOctane]

Yeah it’s in the description. I have an amazon link that has all the tools I use. Thanks!

[@TheGeil8500]

Those carbs were really f up most likely from the crappy gas they had back in those days.

[@joelpalmer]

Rear tire appears to be out if round or flat spotted

[@carlosfigueroa1705]

T-shirts?

[@ryanzub5870]

Dual sport!

[@kalaharimine]

those handlebars & the seat are disturbing to see on a classic sports bike. By the way didn't you have to replace the rubber diaphrams on the CV carbs? Sounds great off the bat.

[@ClassicOctane]

Don’t worry they will be coming off soon. Believe it or not the diaphragms were in great shape.

[@kalaharimine]

that is astonishing, I had to replace on my Kawasaki twin after 6 years, maybe because we had to use a petrol/ethanol fuel mix in the country I was in. Enjoy your videos, thanks man.

[@MrPhilthy08]

This dude gets anything to run lol

[@marshallcollins8634]

I think you need bigger hammer dude.😂

[@stevereckert208]

Chop it up! 👹 But keep the stock paint. I love that green!

[@willvan940]

Wow

[@leoleimgruber8148]

Build a scrambler pls😍

[@dumbwaiter3644]

That rear tyre looks out of round.

[@ClassicOctane]

Yeah, it sat deflated for many years. Both tires will be replaced soon.

[@donaldcameron8909]

Holy crap , I hope mine are better bought a bike one carb floods bike stumbles

[@toddatstone_city_outlaw8714]

Can you number your build videos?

[@skullsandflames123]

Cut it up!

[@howardskinner4916]

Not desirable? Sez you!

[@RicardoFelippeFigueirachardao]

!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rislanderful]

1st woohoo !