New from Louisiana

Hi everyone. My dad recently passed away, and I have his 83 KZ1100. It hasn't been run in 10 years or so, but was garage kept and looks to be in really good shape.

Dad with the bike.

Was gas in the bike when it was stored? Sorry for your loss.
Steve

Welcome! Glad to have a new member. My condolences on the loss of your father. At least you can ride with him in spirit on his bike. Very nice looking bike. I would suggest going though the carbs for sure. I will attach some common practices for cleaning them(its for VM 28s but good info). The biggest suggestion you will get here is to get a Factory Service Manual and go through ALL of the maintenance items.

Just don't hit the rubber parts with carb spray.

swest wrote: Was gas in the bike when it was stored? Sorry for your loss.
Steve

There is a very small amount of gas in the tank. What I can see of the tank through the filler cap is very clean.

Thanks for the carb cleaning tips, kaw-a-holic!

Might get away with just cleaning out the bowls and jets. I get my batteries from High Tech battery solutions. Great prices and good people. $34
Steve

Welcome and sorry for your loss.I believe you have Mikunis Constant Velocity 34 mm carburetors. Click on the ARTICLES icon (Riding and Wrenching ) above, next click on technical tips, and now click on Carburetor Cleaning 101,102 and other related topics.

Just a small update. The clutch was stuck, but I got it freed up pretty easily by pushing it off the center stand in 1st with the lever pulled in. The motor can be turned by hand (without the plugs in it), and the starter clutch seems to be working properly. I took the carbs off, and the jets and float needles were completely gummed up. I was able to get everything clean, but since I tore a couple of the float bowl gaskets, and one of the float needles is still a little slow to spring back, I ordered 4 carb kits. Those, along with an oil filter, and a master cylinder kit should be here tomorrow.

I still need a battery, plugs, alt cover gasket, and fork seals, but the holidays have me fairly well tapped out at the moment.