78 Zuke GS750 Build, or how I'm spending the winter - Page 3

**Henryinva** · 12-17-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnmike3

if the gs750 is anything like the cb750 (pretty similar motor i believe) it should be one hell of a motor. my cb750 hadn't ran in over a year and when it ran last was just rigged and ran for a couple minutes (or so i was told when i bought it), before that who knows when it ran. I changed the oil put a little gas in it and it fired right up.

henry likeing the build, I keep checking for new pics everyday. I've got my name on a frame for my 750, should be ready sometime jan. figured this was the way to go for me since i don't have a title for the stock frame anyways.

Yep, Zukes GS750 was their response to Honda's CB750, or viceversa. Engines are about the same. This is a DOHC engine and the exact same as the GS750 I allready built. In fact, this bike VIN number is about 800 bikes later than my allready built bike. She'll put ya back in the seat forsure. Top end is 130 and some change. It'll get ya there fast enough! Least for me, anyways.

**flitecontrol** · 12-17-2009, 11:13 AM

Henry, if you get the chance, you ought to lay your hands on a VN750 engine. The story goes that Kawasaki developed the engine to go in an early sport bike, but Honda came out with a 1,000 cc engine before Kawasaki ever got into production of their 750. So Kawasaki scrapped the idea and designed a bike around the engine they already had and the Vulcan VN700 (1985) and VN750 (1986-2006) were born. In their day, they were pretty much the fastest cruisers around, regardless of motor size. I still snap my head back from time to time when I give it a little more throttle than I intended.

The engine has torque out the wazoo and redlines at 8,500 rpm. Liquid cooled with twin cams, valves, and plugs and a semi hemi. Lots of power for an enginge that size. But maybe with your experience you already know all this.

**Henryinva** · 12-17-2009, 11:37 AM

Yeah, I think Kaw stuck it to Honda and Zuke with the 900 somewhere in that time span. That was a screamer forsure. I'd like to come across a Z1 that wasnt priced into the stratoshpere

JunkyardDog · 12-17-2009, 03:52 PM

The original KZ900, which later became the KZ1000, or Z1, was supposed to have been a 750, but when Honda released their CB750, Kawasaki just had to top them, so they increased the displacement to 900cc. An original unmodified KZ900 in really good condition will bring a pretty penny today. There is nothing really special about them, they are just rare. They were made by the millions, but given our society's penchant for destroying things, very few are left. Kind of like my '72 Ford Pinto. It was a cheaply made economy car when it was new (though still made better than todays new cars, IMO), and was also made by the millions. Now there are very few Pintos left. I see maybe one or two a year. I have constant offers from people wanting to buy mine, but I won't sell.

As far as the VN750 engine, I've heard that too, but there is no evidence to back it up. It might explain why it is impossible to do almost any kind of work on without removing it from the frame. It may have been intended for a completely different frame. The "add on" front bevel drive gear case could have been the result of an engine originally designed for chain drive. But the hydraulic valves don't fit. Whoever heard of a sportbike, besides Buell, with hydraulic valves? But that may have also been changed, because in the Vulcan frame, there is no way to get the valve covers off. Maybe Kawasaki had already done so much design and engineering work on the engine they couldn't afford to scrap it. One thing is for sure, the Vulcan 750 is certainly different. It is unlike any other motorcycle, cruiser or otherwise. Jerry.

**Henryinva** · 12-17-2009, 04:11 PM

Anyways, the build off is up to 33 bikes now. Ive got the tubing coming as they informed me it shipped today and am doing some research into some suspension ideas I have. Might not end up a hardtail after all, but money is going to dictate whether it is or not. (I dont have a lot of it!). Material availability is coming into the picture as well. I'll probably make the axle plates tonight if I have time. If I get em made, Ill post some pics of them tommorow.

**flitecontrol** · 12-17-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henryinva

Anyways, the build off is up to 33 bikes now. Ive got the tubing coming as they informed me it shipped today and am doing some research into some suspension ideas I have. Might not end up a hardtail after all, but money is going to dictate whether it is or not. (I dont have a lot of it!). Material availability is coming into the picture as well. I'll probably make the axle plates tonight if I have time. If I get em made, Ill post some pics of them tommorow.

Are you sayin' you might need to sell a horse or two to afford the new pony? How many you got in the stable now?

**Henryinva** · 12-17-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

Are you sayin' you might need to sell a horse or two to afford the new pony? How many you got in the stable now?

Ummmmmmmm........Why did ya have to ask me that! Thats not a fair question! Theres just 5 soooooo....whats yer point!

**flitecontrol** · 12-17-2009, 08:23 PM

Shoot, just five? A guy needs at least one for every day of the week! The way I see it, you're AT LEAST two short of the minimum. Well, that's what I tell the wife anyway. She's not buying it though.

**mnmike3** · 12-18-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henryinva

Yep, Zukes GS750 was their response to Honda's CB750, or viceversa. Engines are about the same. This is a DOHC engine and the exact same as the GS750 I allready built. In fact, this bike VIN number is about 800 bikes later than my allready built bike. She'll put ya back in the seat forsure. Top end is 130 and some change. It'll get ya there fast enough! Least for me, anyways.

I know some consider the 750 inline 4's one of the first sportbike motors. they were a force to be reckoned with then and still are a solid motor. 130 is pretty fast for that age bike, heck I topped my 01 yamaha r6 out at 165 when i had it and that motor is way more advanced than the 750's. can't wait to get mine (sohc) done now that i have some money to spend on it again, things kinda came to an abrupt standstill around june on the project.

**Henryinva** · 12-18-2009, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

Shoot, just five? A guy needs at least one for every day of the week! The way I see it, you're AT LEAST two short of the minimum. Well, that's what I tell the wife anyway. She's not buying it though.

I hope mine doesnt read what ya said. I'll never hear the end of it...

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