78 Kawasaki KZ750B aka Frankie

[PeanutHead]

So, this is definitely an addition at this point lol. Little back story for y'all: wife's grandfather died from cancer right after Covid started. Grandma has Alzheimer's and dementia and really shouldn't be alone. We talked about moving back when our oldest is 18 BUT............his dad got orders to Hawaii, and we moved to Ohio w/grandma in May (well, my wife and two youngests).

Now I'm stuck in MD because of work and I'm bored outta my fuckin mind. So Sunday afternoon, I was checking out Facebook marketplace and come across an ad for a FREE 78 KZ750 engine. Too good to be true, right? Well, I snagged that bitch up and now I have ANOTHER build to keep me from going crazy (my KZ440 and ALL MY GOOD TOOLS are in OH). The motor spins free, points look new, it's a kicker too (it's also an electric start), AND the carbs!

Now for the down side, the cylinder head is missing (someone stole it along with the frame). I'm starting to hunt one down but the biggest/most important part I'm gonna need is a frame (preferably with title) that's not gonna cost me $400+.

[1954bmw]

Just for grins, what part of Ohio??

[PeanutHead]

Just for grins, what part of Ohio??

Wellington.

[TriNortchopz]

I'm gonna need is a frame (preferably with title) that's not gonna cost me $400+

.

maybe you can find an old rigid chopper frame and adapt mounts to fit that engine. Perhaps a XS650, they are more popular than the KZ750 twins..

this is from a CC thread; chop thinggy:


From Choppers Australia, Jett's build:


Welcome to the ‘LonesomeTwin™’ Website
The UK based home for the Kawasaki 750 Twin

https://www.lonesometwin.com/

Welcome to my little Kawasaki KZ750 Twin info site.

https://kz750twins.com/

[PeanutHead]

^That's kinda the plan, but the few I've found, the asking price is $800+

[farmall]

Askin' price ain't gettin' price and people hate turning down dead presidents.

Facebook Marketplace is where the random old stuff ends up instead of Craigslist so best to check there. Ya might find a whole titled donor of some sort and if ya end up not needing your engine ya can always part it out on Ebay.

[PeanutHead]

Askin' price ain't gettin' price and people hate turning down dead presidents.

Facebook Marketplace is where the random old stuff ends up instead of Craigslist so best to check there. Ya might find a whole titled donor of some sort and if ya end up not needing your engine ya can always part it out on Ebay.

I found a 79 complete roller with motor AND title for $600. If I didn't already have the free engine (and a lot of disposable $$) I'd jump on that in a heart beat (or I could help out a fellow member pick it up if they wanted) BUT I want to try and build this KZ for dirt cheap. I spent WAY too much on parts for my other KZ that I'm going to use a lot of those parts for this one.

I'm gonna hit up this junk yard again that I went to last week. My dad and I took a gamble and drove up there with the hopes of finding a starter for my 82 KZ440. We walked out with 2 starters for $25! Once we got home they BOTH tested good. They had a few bikes that I might "Frankenstein" together to make a roller out of. The yard quoted me "$30 JUST for a frame and "$100 for a roller."

[docmel]

BEFORE you start getting a frame and spending $$$, you need to first consider two things

1. Do you have a title? If not, are you sure you can get one? Why spend bucks on something you cant even ride.
And you need to really research on wnat it takes to get a title where you live. Simply getting a frame that comes with title (Which will be a VERY rare find) doesnt mean it will make the build legal/titleable

2. I REALLY recommend you find a set of heads, again, before you start spending money.... EBAY is good source for such

[PeanutHead]

The guy who gave me the 750 engine hit me up last night saying that he found some more parts and is mailing them to me. He is sending the cam shafts, valve cover, misc bolts. So i'm holding off on the cyl head for right now. I've found a few on eBay that I'm watching.

[PeanutHead]

So hunting around on Facebook Marketplace looks like it's paying off. Looks like I'm picking up a FREE KZ frame. Not sure but it looks like the frame is for a 440. It's already been modified (and its free) so I'm not 100% worried about perfect fitment. More to come.

[PeanutHead]

Yesterday I took a trip up to EZ Pull & Save junk yard in PA to look for a few parts for this build. But I found MORE than I was looking for. I found an almost complete (no tank or seat) 76 KZ750B!!

Sad to see a bike with only 11k on the odometer wasting away in a junk yard.

Now I have confirmed the this engine is seized but the free engine I have is not. Hopefully the top end is salvageable.

[PeanutHead]

Small update: so far the cylinder head looks great! One plug is stuck so I'm letting it soak with PB Blaster over night to try and get it out tomorrow.

[PeanutHead]

Well, I'm back in the US and back to work on my 750. While I was deployed I amassed a ton of parts to include an OE gas tank (that matches the paint). So I think I'm gonna wait until the winter to paint.

Pulled the seized engine out last night. Gonna start pulling the forks to rebuild them today.

[PeanutHead]

Decided not to rebuild the forks today. I decided to see how the ZX6 wheels would look like. Not 100% sure I'm gonna stick with them. I'd LOVE to find a cheap set of Invaders but trying to find a 15in disc rear has been very hard. I also think I'm gonna lower the rear more. The stance just isn't making me warm and fuzzy. What do ya'll think?

[TriNortchopz]

saw a few chopped 750 twins

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42117&page=2

A good detailed 750 chopper build thread here; from stock to chop:

http://choppersaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8069

seen this how-to thread by Voodoo Vintage?

2013 Thread: Hardtail Install for the KZ750B Twin!

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32831

their website page also includes detailed instructions with photos of each step of the install:

https://voodoovintage.com/products/kawasaki-kz750-twin-76-83-mk-74

another big twin 750 chop: