ZN1300 Going on a Diet!

...as soon as the temperatures in Phoenix drop consistently below 100F, that is!

Hey gents. Longtime rider (spell that baby boomer). British, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha. My most recent Kawasaki was my 2nd ZL900 Eliminator on which I was rear-ended in 2012. I survived intact. The motorcycle did not. My first was brand new in '85. Anyway, I've made the rounds of Japanese machines - nothing newer than my current '97 Valkyrie. The Valk is kept company by a very custom '78 GL1000 (yeah Goldwing) and a '79 CBX. That was the garage crowd until this past Sunday - which is why I'm here.

I could not pass this machine up at the price. And I have a thing for six cylinder bikes. It's the howl, I think. So, I drug home a mammothly heavy '83 ZN1300 Voyager that has been reasonably well kept. It runs very well and that's all I was really after. That big lump. Well, and the frame.

I've done lots of restorations and customizations, but I'll need a few bits of sage wisdom from the folks who know the KZ line. My biggest questions are going to revolve around bits from the KZ line that might <might> be usable after this big Voyager loses about 200 pounds.

My plan is simple. Lose everything (and I mean everything) that doesn't either make the machine go, or make it stop. Then, put just enough bits back on to make it look like a complete motorcycle again. Oh, and pray it still lights up and runs.

First question (and I won't be a pest): Will a tail section from any of the KZs fit the ZN frame? I'm wondering specifically about width. I'm thinking similar to the KZ1300, but not 1300. I'm trying to do this on the cheap. I'll post a few pics if anyone is interested.

Anyway, that's my story. I'll be poking around. Nice little Kawi house you have here. Lots of good stuff - and good people.

Ok. One pic. Two old straight six machines...

desertrefugee wrote: ...My plan is simple. Lose everything (and I mean everything) that doesn't either make the machine go, or make it stop. Then, put just enough bits back on to make it look like a complete motorcycle again. Oh, and pray it still lights up and runs.
Anyway, that's my story. I'll be poking around. Nice little Kawi house you have here. Lots of good stuff - and good people.

I've got an '85 ZN1300 in much the same state. I found that, at least, the diagnostic stuff for the fuel injection system is in the fairing. I chose to keep the fairing, at least most of it, for now.

Bill

Awesome double triple. !!!

Thanks guys.

Bill! I would love to hear a comment or two about your radiator placement and plumbing to it. Very nice work on that.

Now THAT is a Voyager.

Interesting project! I have seen these on CL for sale (cheap) in the past, but they are so loaded up with baggage that I am not interested. I also like the 6 poppers like the CBX and Kz1300 (rare bikes)
Keep us posted please with LOTS of pics.

Well, keep in mind that it's still hot as heck in Phoenix, but I did get out and peel a few things off this morning. Probably a good 50 pounds lighter already. Trailer hitch alone probably weighed 30 pounds!

I'm in no hurry, but I have turned the first wrench. The rest is downhill, right?

urankjj wrote: Awesome double triple. !!!

Actually, triple triple! (and and old Goldwing...) :whistle:

To narrow the frame, why not remove a section of the "cross members", clamp and weld. Same could be done with the seat if it has a steel pan, but youd need a custom seat cover.