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Oh yeah. Has been working for over a year now. You just need to be sure any leak source is properly sealed. It takes some time to do it but it beats running without a filter.

I got my kz with mikuni's and pod filters. Got a stock carb set and tried using pod filters with no luck . Finally found an airbox but it didnt come with the filter or housing.​ The bike runs but not well.@B420LDprojects

@@decayingzombie1 Since mine came with no air filter, and some of the ports were blocked with mud dauber (not sure about the spelling) nests, I wonder if your original carb also has plugged ports. I had to dip my carb a couple times and air pressure to finally clean it. Once tuned up, it should have a smooth sound to it. At least mine is smoother than my 1972 Honda CB350K4

Thanks Beau. You know, even after over 50 years of repairing, rebuilding and tuning engines from 1 to 16 cylinders, even some turboshaft engines, it is still a thrill to bring something back to life. Funny on how "What's next" is always on my mind. This project is giving me new challenges as parts are not as readily available as they are on the old Honda's. But still fun.

Wow. I suppose accessories like the cargo rack would be indeed hard to find since it is a challenge finding common parts for this bike. I can't say I have seen any cargo racks in my search for other parts. I suppose, if you got an accurate set of photos with dimensions, a rack could be fabricated. Since eventually this bike will go through a complete restoration, I was not contemplating selling any of the pieces. Just one chance if you are lucky, perhaps the dealer that sold my bike may still have some old stock My bike was sold by Brown's Suzuki in Toronto, Ontario. I see that there is a Brown's Sport and Cycle on Facebook and some of the vintage photos show what appears to be a K11 in the showroom window. They are now focused on bicycles and athletic gear. Good luck.

Yes. I call it "Disney World for Motorcycle Enthusiasts" Love going there every year.

Actually, that was my first thought when confronting the lack of HD support for this model bike. However, I was afraid of compromising the integrity of the belt and end up waiting for a tow along side of a road again. Hindsight is 20/20 and I am now thinking that I should have bought a 27 tooth Sportster sprocket and cut it down from 1-1/8" to 1". That would have been a little easier I think. There may be a 139 tooth / 1-1/8" belt available to complete the job but that may be pushing clearances a bit much. So far, I have a couple thousand miles on the bike since modifying and still real happy with the outcome.

Thanks for comments. I think bikes are like a blank sheet when you get them, They need to altered to fit you. I am lucky that my other bikes only needed tiny tweaks to make them comfortable for my vertically challenged dimensions. Funny thing is that the Heritage Softtail and the Suzuki K11 are the only two that I can sit on flat-footed.

I wish you luck. Parts are scarce for these, although they are starting to show up at swap meets.

Thanks. Do you mean model year 2008 Heritage Softtail? If so, I image the tool would fit. I could be wrong but I don't think Harley made any changes to the frame from 2007 to 2008. However, the introduction of the catalytic converter in 2008 may take up a bit more space than the non-catalyzed 2007 model. Honestly, I don't know if this type of tool is available commercially. I just thought it could be handy in an embarrassing situation, so I took some measurements and tried my luck. It just turned out better than expected. I am lucky that I have the tools to do it.

Yeah, once again I question my sanity. Last year it was at the 4,000 mile point of my solo cross country trip. I am sure most folks would avoid dropping their shiny bikes but doing so in controlled conditions may be helpful in an emergency. Anyway, with a bad back, I only try to guide the bike as it is falling. I don't try to stop it. I only use knockometers, never hammers. Hammers are just barbaric. Still just having fun in the workshop.

Thanks for the great response. This information is awesome. I will use it for reference later, no doubt. I hope you have time to restore your 250 when retirement time comes. But keep in mind that once retired, people tend to be busier than ever. Thanks again

Thanks Beau.

Thanks for the comment. However, I am not Prison Mike.

Hmm. Sounds like something I had with my Harley a couple years ago. It ran great for long periods of time, then out of the blue it would just quit. A complete shut down. Sometimes it would restart again after a split second. Sometimes it would need a restart after pulling over. I was lucky that it had an electronic speedo that would go berzerk telling me it was a main power or ground feed issue. Turns out, when I fed a power wire under the fuel tank to the handlebars for an auxiliary power outlet, I squeezed the main power wire under the fuel tank. When it got hot, the insulation allowed partial contact with the frame and the master breaker would trip. I corrected that by removing the tank and routing the new feed correctly. It did the same once again on my cross country trip from NC to the west coast. (day 3 if I recall) That was just a loose ground. You could have a couple wires in the harness that may be making a slight contact with a ground source. I have seen over the years instances where I needed a magnifying glass to see a wear spot on a wire. Not fun to find. Hope this helps.

Thanks for your reply. I checked ALL the connectors and wiring and found nothing. many times. I even bypassed the ignition and kill switches to eliminate a problem there. Ran 12v straight from the battery to the coil. Was able to start it without the key. Each time I tried something it seemed to work for a while. I could ride 20/30 miles then all of a sudden it would quit. I carried my spark checker with me and I had no spark. Thinking I'm going to have to get a tow. Tried once more and the bike starts right up?? Goes for another 5 miles or so and quits again and again. Yesterday I started the bike up in my garage. Let it idle for about a minute. Shut it off to talk to my neighbor. 1/2 hour later I tried to start it but it wouldn't start. No spark again. Almost seems heat related but I've changed the ignition parts (coil, igniter and pickup coil) back and forth with what I could find online but still it does the same thing. I'm pushing 80 years old. Maybe this an omen telling me it's "time" to hang it up.@@B420LDprojects

Wow. I guess I am lucky that my 1980 is points and condenser. I looked over the wiring diagrams for the later electronic versions and can only come up with one conclusion (but I could be wrong). With a solid 12 volts going directly to the coil and igniter module, both new with no change, then all I can come with is a drop in continuity on the ground side. This could be either from the IC Igniter module to the battery, or at the coil to frame ground connection. Maybe you have done this but if not, try running a wire from one of the coil mount bolts to the battery negative. I hope this helps @@trainmaster0217

That's a thought. The mounting boltsare supposed to be the ground connections. The manual says NOT to use different nuts and bolts and this would possibly cause problems. Never heard of that one before but they know more than I do. I made sure those mountings were clean and tight. But you might have something to at least try before I try to see if the bike will float. Thanks for your input. Weather has turned bad so I'll have to wait til next week to give that a try.@@B420LDprojects

Just a thought that may or may not apply here, but in my 45 years of being a mechanics (not motorcycles though), I have seen weird things happen with early electronics. I had one head scratcher case where the ECM would shut down momentarily due to voltage spikes. It turned out to be a loose bolt in the alternator that would walk back and short on uphills. Now I was thinking if you have an intermittent short in the battery cells, this may create the same scenario. Just a thought.@@trainmaster0217

Yeah, it has been a while. It took me 2 months to do this makeover, plus the usual property upkeep and going through a title acquisition process on my 1966 CM91 and 1964 K11 bikes. I think I can now resume in the shop but the seasonal landscape upkeep is now upon us. Yay.

There are great "How-To" videos on TH-cam showing the tips and tricks of welding. I welded for years using a 120 volt compact mig welder. You just need to let it cool down often if doing a large project but great for small projects such as this one. I now have a 240 volt mig (and flux) welder that does a nice job. The main thing is to have a calm, steady hand, getting it set correctly for the metal to be welded, and practice a LOT. There are bolt on kits for the Blast but they seem to attach to the engine. To me, it would seem the engine vibrations would tend to numb your feet after a short ride. Good luck on modifying your Blast and have fun. It really is a blast to ride.

It certainly was but it was a lot of fun bringing it back to life.

I cannot agree with you more

It was for me. I suppose to do it right, I should have taken a couple months to do it and not be as rushed. I hope you get a chance to do something similar some day

Hi Beau. Thanks again. You have heard the saying: "You will never see a bike parked in front of a shrink's office." I really believe this is true. Breath air in, breath troubles out.

You got that right. There was something awesome around every corner.

Ouch! Sounds like that guy's day was going to end bad no matter what.

Sure do. It is a Buell Blast. It has some mods to improve handling and reliability. See Episode 4 which goes into the processes. I now call it an XB5. Thanks

XB5! I like it. Maybe if Buell would have called it that, they would have sold more! @@B420LDprojects

Thanks. Except for the Covid year, I have been coming to this event every year since 2013.

Hi Guy. You are absolutely right. The bigger bikes are definitely worth more and sellable. However, I do this for fun and I typically do not sell my finished bikes. That may change some day. I just enjoy bringing these old abandoned bikes back to life and riding them. I will also note that I am vertically challenged and the smaller bikes fit me fine. Thanks for the comments.

Buells and Corvettes. How can you go wrong? LOL

Kinda like a glass of warm milk before going to bed? LOL

Thanks much. Appreciate it.

That's awesome. Thanks for the comments. Always glad to hear from other enthusiasts. These are great and tough little bikes.

Somehow I missed your comment. Yeah. It was somewhat of a let down. But on the bright side, the bike tipped on the high side. Otherwise, it would have gone almost upside down should it have tipped on the left side. It was an easy fix

Thank you for the comments. Boy, I wish I could have seen yours prior to starting this project. It would have been a template to follow, instead of winging it as I did. However I think it turned out OK and this bike is quickly becoming one of my favorite rides. That engine is so smooth. I am bringing it to the Barber Vintage Fest this year to rider around the area. Thanks.

Thanks Beau. I am planning on releasing one new video per week for this series. So far it looks like one video for each day. 21 days of riding. I may combine days depending on the footage.

Hi James. It turned out, mine had more complicated issues. The VATS control module worked for a while but the issue persisted. All diagnostics led to a failed Body Control Module. I got a replacement reman from Rock Auto to try. I went through the install and relearn process, but still had anti-theft issues so I bought a complete system by-pass module from New Rockies. No more antitheft fault, and now it starts every time (but only with the new module). However, now I am getting Engine Control Module codes when I use the Cruise Control. One code in particular may be causing this issue. A system voltage fault. This leads me to a charging system issue. Turns out my battery is older than I figured so that is next but I am not getting an economy one this time. Will be getting a top of the line battery and see if that clears out the remaining faults. Hope this helps.

Ami me pasa igual,

Thanks Steve. I am thinking the value of these bikes are going to improve as the years go by. Theses were still in the era when Japanese motorcycles were a disposable commodity it seems. It is a shame the way they were abused and just left to rot. However, they are fun to bring back to life. Now that I have more miles on this one, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite rides. The engine is so smooth (at least compared to my 500cc single Buell) and tracking is so stable. Yes, I cannot understand the pleasure that people get from stealing. Thanks for your comments.

Hey, thanks Beau. I should have known better since I saw on the news that individuals have been targeting parks recently. Good news is that after rebuilding the speedo head again and focusing on the input bushing, the wacky needle has now calmed down.

Thanks Beau. One thing I can say is that now this bike is ridden regularly, it is WAY smoother than the 500cc single that is in the Buell. I can actually see the reflections in the mirrors on this one.

Hi Mathieu. I did that with the XV700 I turned into a cafe(ish) bike. They look cool and work but I wanted to keep it as close to stock as possible. Besides, I like challenges. Thanks for the comment. Let's keep these old beauties on the road.

Hi Kevin. Thanks. This one was a fun challenge, especially with a deadline to meet.

Thanks Beau. This was an easy one.

Thank you. I do my best and learning some new tricks every day.

Thanks Étienne. I am working on part 2 now. I may need to split it and make a Part 3 as well. Time will tell.

Thanks Beau. However all the scenes where I scratch my head trying to work things out have been deleted from this video. I gave up on calculating the countertop dimensions and ended up just putting it on the shop floor, and putting the cabinet inverted on top of it to pencil in initial cut outlines. Much easier.

Thanks for the support. Currently working on Part 2 to this video. Minor corrections and a run up to a local State Park in the mountains.

Awesome. You know what? It never even dawned on me to compare the Blast sprocket with a Sportster one. Duh. Well, I had the stock and tools to do it on the cheap so that is the route I took. I have put several hundred miles on the bike since doing the conversions and so far so good so I guess I will keep it as is, at least for now. Thanks for the comment. I always appreciate input from others with similar interests.

Thank you. I have another live edge project in the works. Not as fancy but why not, since I have the boards.

Thanks, Bill. Thanks for the correction. I always appreciate comments from others with the same interests. You are 100% correct on the reliability of these Kawasaki engines. I have to confess that I have not been all that diligent with the maintenance on this engine but it always starts and runs well no matter what. I figured it wasn't a cheap engine when the time came to lift it off the frame. It is not that big but it is certainly heavy. Good to know about the knock sound as well

@@B420LDprojects one more thing , a fram 4967 oil filter fits this generation kaw . much cheaper than jd filters . been running this brand for 20 years in all my vehicles (one of my cars even takes the 4967) , with no problems .

Thanks, will do! There are at least 4 more projects in the wings and ready to start. Plus it is almost time to ride.

Thank you! Cheers! I appreciate your support.