- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
New rider, first bike, 1982 KZ1100
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
kaw-a-holic wrote: Harbor Freight sells the glass buss fusses for cheap. The problem is they suck and are not easy to find, especially on the road. Do yourself a favor and update to a blade style fuse panel. You can buy the one shown at some auto parts stores for under$20. If you want to spend a pit more, there are some other options on this site: www.cycleterminal.com/fuse-box-kits.html
It looks like I'll be doing what swest is doing with the larger fuses, as I'm trying not to spend more money than necessary. But I did find this really nice waterproof model if anybody's looking for something similar:
Blue Sea Systems 5025
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 22994
- Thank you received: 2753
Be careful. Lots of sharks out there, I mean SNAKES.
Steve
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
swest wrote: $$$$$ new owner Oh boy, a pigeon, don't let him get away. Extended shop time waiting on parts, storage fees etc.
Be careful. Lots of sharks out there, I mean SNAKES.
Steve
Nah, if he was like that he wouldn't have given me direction on fixing the sensor. He woulda pushed me into taking it in to fix and make it sound even more complicated than I thought it was. I have a pretty good nose for crap shops, and this guy's on the up and up. It's a newer shop (1 to 2 years old), and the ones that have crap service are usually the ones that have been around for 10+ years and the workers just don't care anymore cause they're burnt out at it. That's just a generalization, not a rule, as there are old shops that give good service too. And you can't really judge a shop that you haven't been to yet right?
The real trick to making really any shop do good work for you, regardless of it's reputation, is have the workers there like you. You never see a mechanic working on his friends' motor and doing a half-assed job of it. And that's what I'm building at this shop, trust and friendship, so if they screw something up they will actually feel bad for me and at themselves and when I'm happy they're happy. I'm hoping to learn everybody's name at the shop, how business is doing, and eventually how the workers are doing on a personal level. Perhaps one day even go riding with them, who knows. Of course this isn't a certainty of good work, as you can't control other people's bad habits, but it definately helps.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 22994
- Thank you received: 2753
Steve
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
swest wrote: Maybe I'm jaded. I got my bike running again and went to the shops that are still open. Same thing, "we can order parts for you." SO CAN I, I said. I can see the $$ signs in their eyes. Old bike, old guy, perfect candidate for a GANK. When I tell them I've had and been wrenching on this bike for 40 years, I can see the disappointment in their faces. I move on.
Steve
Yeah I've been there. Just on the opposite end of age.
So what are your thoughts of just 'leaving it be" and not restoring it? Waxing okay? Touch-up paint okay? I don't know how to move forward with this. I've never had a vehicle this old that I planned on keeping a while.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 22994
- Thank you received: 2753
Steve
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 22994
- Thank you received: 2753
Steve
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
swest wrote: I don't see anything wrong in restoring it. Hacking it up yeah.
Steve
I'm thinking about just replacing the fenders (and the tank if I can find an appropriate match) and keeping the original parts in safe storage while hacking up and customizing the replacement parts. This way I can have my fun custom ride, and if stuff gets scratched up or damaged I don't have to worry (as long as it's not a full on crash, but then the bike components will be the least of my worries). I think it's a good plan, but I can't afford really much of anything anymore as buying the bike, title swap, insurance, and safety equipment has really drained my accounts. So I may have to wait until next year, and that's fine by me. I think saving the stock components and repacing them with crap parts willl put my mind at ease for potential future damage.
I dunno. We'll see what happens, I'll probably stop by the paint shop and see what they can do for touch-up paint. Last thing I want is rust spots on the tank right now from all those scratches. I'll have to take some pics of everything that's wrong with the bike and post them.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Randombeat
- Offline
- User
- 0 to 100 real quick...
- Posts: 274
- Thank you received: 23
(We all do )
1980 KZ750H LTD-- pods-- vance & hines 4-1 --speedo/tach/blinker/switch deletes -- brat style
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SmokyOwl
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 252
- Thank you received: 11
As you can see, the tank has suffered from the last owner being a moron and mounting the bike with the leg over the tank instead of over the seat.
Rocks can be pretty nasty
This picture is actually level, as you can see the damage from the rear end bent the taillight assembly and bent in the rear fender. There's also a lot of chipped paint at the base of the assembly.
I've been seeing a lot of leaking master cylinders resulting in this kind of damage. Don't know how to fix this.
Missing white lettering really really really annoys me. Same with the raised letters on the dash, but those should be easy enough to fix with a white paint marker.
This just looks like crap. Although I really like the sissy bar for holding my helmet & jacket, there has to be a smoother install method than this.
Another thing is the foggy headlight I want to replace for the sake of safety. There are also lots of nicks, dents, and scratches all over, and the brake/clutch levers are worn and faded but are easily and cheaply replaceable.
1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 A2, Shaft
Never trade the thrill of living for the safety of existance.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- SWest
- Offline
- Sustaining Member
- 10 22 2014
- Posts: 22994
- Thank you received: 2753
I need to get a new gasket for my master cylinder so I can paint it too.
Steve
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.