Kawasaki

Husabergler · Apr 8, 2007

Hey guys, a little off subject but figured this is a good place, a lot of you seem to be in the 40 give or take crowd like me.
Just bought my boy a 1982 KZ 750 needs cosmetics ,but runs fine and is complete. Lighting and gages also fine.
Should be a fun project for us as he is now 16 and has his motorcycle permit.
Tires seem original and dry rotten. Front tire is 3.25 - 19 and rear is 4.00 - 18. Rear tire seems a bit small for the bike in my opinion, but it is what came stock. Tubeless tire selection in these sizes is somewhat limited. I assume I will probably end up with a metric
size tire.
So my question is anyone familiar with these bike and what tire combos would be a good middle of the road choice considering all around road riding - wet/dry, average to below average pavement conditions. Price is also a factor,wife says we bought the bike he can buy the parts and help fix it.

Kind regards, Ryan

chilledspode · Apr 8, 2007

My only experience from that time is with a RG500 Gamma and Metzler produced some 'classic' tires that performed well and fit the older style narrow rims.

I think they used to be called ME33 and are now called LaserTec's

Cheers

Mark

Johnf3 · Apr 8, 2007

Most of the major manufactures still make good rubber for those old bikes. Look for a rear in a 130/80/18 and a front in a 100 or maybe 110/90/19. The Dunlop 591 elite series of tires come in narrow sizes and will still be gripping when the chassis limitations of that Kawasaki are discovered.

MarkT · Apr 8, 2007

Remembering the wheel sizes of the era, a 130 might be a bit big and turn the profile into a triangular shape..this will make the handling a bit unusual when going upgright to cornering. If you can't find a 120/90-18, then I guess a 130/80-18 will have to do. The front size that Johnf3 mentioned should be fine. I have a 1985 Suzuki GS700ES and have Dunlop K591S tires on it; they are a good set. Unfortunately, I have not seen the K591 offered any more. The current versions are GT501: I have seen them offered at Chaparral...Actually, I used to get my tires fom Donelson Cycles (www.donelsoncycles.com). Also, in this size are Bridgestone Battlax and Continental Bltiz. I have always had good luck with the Dunlop sport tires, even on a universal as the KZ you have.

buzzard · Apr 8, 2007

Continental Blitz are an excellent choice for the older bikes.

ned37 · Apr 8, 2007

ryan,
excellent choice! i had an 81 kz750 (the standard, not the ltd), and it was a great running and handling bike. best tires i ran back then were metzelers, and the standard size works great for the proper balance. i used a set of lower eddie lawson bars and a kerker k2 pipe with 2 sizes larger main and pilot jets. open up the top of the airbox and let it breathe (just make sure you keep the mice out of it over the winter storage- ask me how i know).

ned

wildbill · Apr 9, 2007

Those are still a nice bike. I used to own a KZ 650. Dennis Kirk; I think still handles direct replacement size tires or you can try Bike Bandit. Just about all the tire manufacters have gone to metric sizing. There are more good tire selections out there than you think but don`t skimp on the tires, get as good as you can afford. The tires in the pervious posts are good selections. Tip: get a good service manual for the bike. Mice like to build nests in the air box and squirrels like to put nuts in the mufflers. How I know, used to own a Yamaha XS-11 had both things happen.
Good luck with your bike.

sparks · Apr 9, 2007

Most of the jap bikes of that era ran 18 pole 3 phase alternators Suzuki being the main and from memorie Kawasaki did also these were not to reliable, have rewound many over the years, but I think Kawasaki didn't run theres in oil where Suzuki did this was Suzuki's main problem for failure.
The winding going to ground was the main problem.

Sparks.

Husabergler · Apr 9, 2007

Appreciate the comments guys. All very helpful. I also had a number of 70's and 80' era bikes back in the day mainly Hondas 175cc - 900cc.This Kawasaki seems kind of neet, I look forward to trying it on the road .

flatchat · Apr 12, 2007

ive got a 76 kz 1000a with dunlop591f 100/90/19 very good tyre lasted 10000ks so far the rear iam using is dunlop areo max 140/70/18 not abad tyre sems to only get 8000ks out of it going to try the battleax next. good luck with the resto the old zs are a top bike.cheers flatchat

flatchat · Apr 13, 2007

you could also try looking up www.zpower.com.au.has a good forum lots of info.cheers flatchat

Kawasaki

Help Support Husaberg:

Husabergler

chilledspode

Johnf3

MarkT

buzzard

ned37

Moderator

wildbill

sparks

Husabergler

flatchat

flatchat

Similar threads

Register CTA

Recent Discussions

Recent Discussions