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"Squirrely" over 70mph
- Martynbiker
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- 1993 KZ1000P
Although I have been working on Bikes for 30 years and consider myself a fairly competent mechanic who will take on most things I have never owned a KZ before and they sure are a little different to most other bikes I have ridden.
Handling wise, my KZ1000P feels like it is going to be a pig at low speed yet is as agile as any bike I have ridden, the tires are Dunlops and hold the road well, yet will 'track' the slightest groove in the pavement making the bike sometimes feel as if it is bendy in the middle.
My main concern is over 70mph it feels as if I am riding on ice, the bike is very "squirrely" and feels 'loose'.
I have checked tire tread and pressures, the head bearings are fine, no notchiness or stiffness, the swing arm bearings are OK, the rear shocks seem fine as do the front forks.
Is it ME, or do they all feel this way? my old DR650 was rock steady at 80-90mph but there is no way I want to do these speeds on the KZ, she feels happier at 55-60.
Any ideas Guys??
If you cant fix it with a Hammer....... it's gotta be an Electrical problem...
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- TeK9iNe
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- What did you do!?!
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I know the older KZ's were unnerving around 100, less, but the newer ones weren't nearly as bad.
Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator
79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors
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- MFolks
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1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- Locozuna
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KZ900LTD, KZ750LTD, KZ650, 72'Triumph Trident
"Over the Mountains
Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
Ride, boldly ride,"
The shade replied
"If you seek for Eldorado!"
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- ArthurGoVroom
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- I'd rather ride it than shine it
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1976 KZ900A4, 4-1 header, rear lowering kit, grab bar removed, still shining and painting parts as time permits
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- PLUMMEN
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Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- bill_wilcox100
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The PO installed Roller and I have never experienced what you are seeing... not the same bike, not the same head bearing and not ribbed tires of course... but always stable.
Best of success.
Bill
1977 KZ650-B1 (Stock)
Upgrades:
- Dyna S Electronic Ignition (DS2-2)
- Dyna 3 Ohm Coils (DC1-1)
- Coil Repowering Mod
- Progressive Springs Front & Rear
- Saddlemen Seat Cover
- New Metallic Red Re-Paint & Repro Badges.
Montreal, Canada
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- otakar
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I am not sure exactly when Kawi switched in the early 80s but from that point on they were all tapered rollers. I know that everything with a J motor had rollers.Are your head bearing Ball or Roller? :dry:
The PO installed Roller and I have never experienced what you are seeing... not the same bike, not the same head bearing and not ribbed tires of course... but always stable.
Best of success.
Bill
I would try to tighten up your swing arm bolt to eliminate any and all play. And Yes I also agree that ribbed front tires will feel squirrelly. Old tires that are getting dry will also make it erratic.
I would also check your front axle bolt and make sure it is tight enough. Many people leave them much too loose.
74 Z1-A stock
76 KZ-900 Totaly stock vice MAC pipe
77 KZ-1000A stock
78 Z1-R 100%MINT 500 original Mi.
78 Z1-R Yoshi 1103 kit stage 1 cams Yoshi pipe. Etc
79 KZ-1300 (1400)
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81 Scratch built GPz1150R
82 KZ1000
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- timebomb33
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1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE
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- Kawickrice
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- After Monday & Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF
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73 Kawasaki Z1
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Long Gone
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Tampa FL
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- trianglelaguna
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- New and improved - extra strength
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1976 KZ900
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- keith1
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