1978 KZ1000 Project - Part 11 - Test Ride, New Seat, More Tuning
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- In this project update video, I'm continuing progress on my 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD. I am test riding the bike after installing a KZ1000 A seat, and going up one size on my needle jets. How will it run? Let's find out together!
Boy..does this bring back memories, I had this exact model and color that I bought new in 1978, kept it for 5 years before selling it, which I regret to this day. Had the Kerker 4:1 exhaust and the Lockhart oil cooler on mine. I really like the seat replacement you’ve done to it. Well Done.
Thanks Roy! This was on the top of my "dream bikes" list for many years. With the current prices, I had to buy a basket case bike to get one.
Nice bike I have a 1979 ltd. Took carb off took for ever to tune it back in. New points new coils check with timing light. Put podes on it then took them back off . mine is all stock. Running 60 mm carb its a pumper. Fuel mix skrew on mine runs best at two turns out. With headers on that one i would go up 1 or 2 on the main. Just keep checking the plugs. I put headers on my kz 650 and only had to go up one size on the main. Just my 2 cent lol im in Pennsylvania too.
Thanks Gary! Mine has VM29s currently and I need richen the mixture. I have a set of stock carbs that I will try if I can't get the jetting sorted on the 29s.
I was wrong mine has 26 mm pumper s. Getting the floats set right I used a clear tube off the bike. Put new intakes on it too. A lot went to the 28 mm carbs. In 1979 the ltd was the only one they put the 26 mm on. The 1979 kz came with 28 mm. And the ltd was the only one that still used points.
@@garyshaffer68 Right on! I did convert to Dynatech ignition, coils, and wires.
brill machine jon . good vid.
Thanks David!
Hi Jon, I live in Australia and have just subscribed to your channel, and I now 66 years old and watching your video brought back some memories as in very early 1980 I bought a Kawasaki ST1000 ( Shaft drive model ) overall it was one of the best bikes I owned I even rode down to Tasmania. I would say that the best handling bike I ever owned was a 1981 Suzuki GS1000 which I once rode to Cairns in Northern Queensland, which was a three day ride from Sydney Australia.
I will look forward to reviewing some more of your channel soon
Hi Alan, and welcome to the channel! I have a playlist of my 1979 KZ1000 Shaft as well. Lots of Suzuki GS videos also. The late 1970s through early 1980s are my favorite era of bikes.
Very nice. Looking forward to the next installment and RIDE SAFE OUT THERE JON!
Thanks Henry!
That seat swap really transformed the look of the bike. It looks fantastic! Even if you don't change the tank, it looks really good. It looked good before, but now.... 🙂
Thanks Jeff. It's certainly more comfortable.
Hi Jon, great job you are doing there. I'm in England and just picked up a 78 ltd 1000 last week and trying to find my way around it so your vids really help. think the carbs are going to be the hardest to set up right, so keep on going and i'll happily follow in your footsteps! cheers Mick
Thanks Mick! The carbs on mine are not stock (I recently found out) so the jetting will be completely different. I have a set of stock carbs that I might install but I'll be clear in the videos about what steps I take to dial it in.
@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 thanks, just sent mine off to local shop to get ultrasonic clean, bike seems to be sweet apart from carbs so I want to start off from the right place to rule blocked jets etc out of the equation. will keep an eye out for your updates and of course happy to share any info I find back
@@HenryMawcat Awesome, thanks Mick!
As others have said already, the flat seat is a great improvement to an already great bike. Changing the 16in rear wheel to an 18in would complete the transformation. Just sayin' 😉
The 18" wheel does look better.
+1 on the seat change. I never liked the stepped seats on the Limited models. I suppose the A tank would improve the looks but I think the current tank looks good also. 👍
Thank you!
its coming right along.sounds good, looks great with the A seat, even with the ltd tank.would be a nice fun bike.not too heavy for back road adventures either.very nice bud.
Thank you!
Nice, but I prefer your Suzuki. What a collection you have, though.
Thanks!
Looks and sounds great!
Thanks Doc!
Super nice John did you have the Lerner already?? Because they don’t make them anymore but sounds good. Would you put a delkevic in your xs1100??
The Kerker came with the KZ. I would like to put a Delkevic on the XS1100 but will leave it stock for the time being. I am working on it now, cleaning the carbs. I rode it earlier this week, and boy, is it fast!
Hey Jon, which size jets are working out for you? I have a similar setup on my VM carbs with pod filters and 4-1 exhaust but with stock jetting. I know I need to order a new jets to avoid lean condition. Thanks
I'm still working on it. I'm by no means fine tuned here yet. I'll keep posting as I dial them in.