Saving a '81 KZ750-E

The mounting holes all lined up after welding (yay!!). It is closer to the CG than I hoped as well.

The bottom pan is clear on all sides.

And in staying true to my style, it ain't pretty, but it works! All material used I had laying around the shop, with the exception of a couple bolts.

An M16 x 1.50 bolt at 80mm length is perfect for pulling the alternator rotor. No need to hunt down a used Kawasaki special tool.

I am pretty sure you can also use the rear axle for that job.

Yes, but I only have one, and it's already assembled and supporting the bike.

Nice job on that rotor holder. Personally, I jammed an old wood handle hammer down into the crankcase to block the crank from turning while I spun off the rotor. Yes, I'm a brute.

Yesterday I finally got the tank to the painter. Somehow I feel that was a huge milestone for this project! Literally six weeks of chemical experiments, welding, blasting, and sealing. Since all of the body work is at the painter now, I figured I would post up the paint scheme I decided on. The theme I have been leaning towards is vintage Superbike / restomod - that being said I have gone with Eddie Lawson's race bike colors. I know a lot of you will groan over yet another green Kawi... but after looking at all of the variations of blue and white stripes on a lime green base, I like this race bike's version the best. Personal taste, I guess. This race bike was the reason I went with gold wheels. I am really looking forward to the cosmetic change once I get it all back!

I will be posting up pics of the lower end tear down next week. I am doing some social distancing out in the country and will not see pavement for three days. It's time for a mental and spiritual reset.

I finally got some time to mess with the bike. The motor is coming apart without issue. Some debris on the oil pump screen, which just further justifies my decision to take the bottom end apart and go through it.

I guess I should have read the disassembly procedure more thoroughly - I am at the point of splitting the cases. It says to use the four pry points and lift off the lower case half. I built my engine stand to bolt to the lower half. Anyone see any issues with lifting the upper half off of the lower half? I need to do this upside down from the manual...

Skidmark wrote: I know a lot of you will groan over yet another green Kawi... but after looking at all of the variations of blue and white stripes on a lime green base, I like this race bike's version the best. Personal taste, I guess. This race bike was the reason I went with gold wheels. I am really looking forward to the cosmetic change once I get it all back!

Let them groan! I like the example you have chosen.