Should I ditch my KZ twin for a 4-banger?

I've heard almost all bad things about the 750 twin model, which I have, and just wanted some opinions on whether to keep it or sell it in favor of a four-cylinder KZ or something smaller/newer.

I've heard the balance shafts are especially troublesome...and that once the chain develops slack in it, theres no way to fix it other than to tear down the entire engine?

Also, do the 4-cyl's make more horsepower than the twin? Mine is stock at 55 HP. I was eyeing in particular a KZ700S model as a potential replacement.

masospaghetti wrote:

I've heard almost all bad things about the 750 twin model, which I have, and just wanted some opinions on whether to keep it or sell it in favor of a four-cylinder KZ or something smaller/newer.

I've heard the balance shafts are especially troublesome...and that once the chain develops slack in it, theres no way to fix it other than to tear down the entire engine?

Also, do the 4-cyl's make more horsepower than the twin? Mine is stock at 55 HP. I was eyeing in particular a KZ700S model as a potential replacement.

People who own 4s will tell you that you need to ditch the twin. Yes, most 4s have more HP. If you want HP, you need the 4...

Twins are all about feel and attitude, right?

Yes the four cylinder models make more hp than the twin.

Actually, I have never heard of anyone having problems with the balance shafts, have you?

If you don't want it, you can send it to me and I'll add it to my collection

I like the 750 twins, actually traded my brother a 82 KZ1000 CSR (looked like it just came off the showroom floor) for a twin. I'll admit to having a GPz750 four (everyone needs a quasi sport bike), but the 750 twins are still my favorite.

My early motorcyle days were spent on BSA, Triumph, AJS, Ariel, Matchless, and Norton twins, so maybe I'm just biased

Post edited by: steell, at: 2005/10/25 21:28

Well the wife has a twin here in Aust and has done 115,000 kms without any major work so can't see a reason why !!
Trevor gs1100g:)

steell wrote:
My early motorcyle days were spent on BSA, Triumph, AJS, Ariel, Matchless, and Norton twins, so maybe I'm just biased[/quote]

Or old...:blink:

Insight on the British People:

There are four kinds of people in the UK -

First, there were the Scots who kept the Sabbath - and everything else they could lay their hands on.

Then there were the Welsh - who prayed on their knees and their neighbors.

Thirdly there were the Irish who never knew what they wanted - but were willing to fight for it anyway.

Lastly there were the English who considered themselves self-made men, - thus relieving the Almighty of a terrible responsibility.

What have you heard that is so bad? Other than the balancer chain(which can take forever to wear out and you'll have the case apart to do a cam chain before then anyways). The only other thing maintenance related might be the tach cable seal.

Maybe the vibration(which is alot less than the British twins) But if you don't want vibration get a Goldwing.

Squeeky brakes? I thought that was standard issue on any KZ.

It is what it is. But I've never heard of anyone giving one up once they ride one for awhile

Jump over to Lonesome Twin's website

www.lonesometwin.co.uk/

He has alot of reviews on the bike and it should help you out.

Heck if your mind is made up about ditching the twin there are a number of twin owners here that given the chance would take it off your hands. I for one wouldn't give up my twin for any amount of money, old and dirty but I still love the look and the feel of the 750 twin very psudo-brit bike.

Well, the Kawi 750 twin was never that popular. I don't know why. The engine was nice, and it was advanced with DOHC, but the bike looked a little top-heavy and the styling was uninspired. If you want a twin, get the Yamaha XS650. They go all day on eBay for $800-1500, you can get parts until the end of time (see MikesXS.com), and they're a wonderful bike with all the essence of motorcycling in them. Some people believe 1977 was the best year. I would buy a 1980-83, when they came with an electronic ignition. The Hitachi CV carbs though are awful for those years, and you'll just throw them away for some Mikuni VM34s or VM36s. There's a huge XS650 on-line community that spans the world. This was Yamaha's best-selling motorcycle ever.

Riding a four is a different experience altogether. It's revvy rather than torquey, and the center of gravity is higher. But a Kawi 550, 650, 760, 900 or 1000 is a heckuva bike. You can't go wrong with one, or a GS Suzy-Q of that vintage and displacement either. Have fun.

CB/GS/XS - You mentioned VM34/VM36... I have sold a couple sets of XS650 carbs and definitely recall they were CV type... perhaps BS34 or BS36? I think they will pretty much swap for KZ750 twin carbs except for possibly some interference with the petcock? I don't recall but the carbs themselves are pretty similar to the ones that came on the 750 twin.

Lorcan wrote:

steell wrote:
My early motorcyle days were spent on BSA, Triumph, AJS, Ariel, Matchless, and Norton twins, so maybe I'm just biased

Or old...:blink: [/quote]

That too :laugh: :laugh:

Throughout my entire life I have considered being labeled as average or normal an insult, so maybe that has something to do with my fondness for the 750 twins, as well as being old

wiredgeorge, you mentioned the CV carbs on the XS. I believe all years came with CV carbs, with Mikunis up until '79, then the Hitachi CVs after that. The early years came with two or three different models of Mikunis but I think the BS34s came in the '77-'79 years. They were good performers. (I have them on my 1980 GS550). The Hitachis, though, really suck. It's very hard to find any parts and hard to re-jet them. Most people wanting to make some hp put on the VM34/36 carbs along with a 750 kit. I had the head ported too, which really gets the XS to wake up and run.