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KZ750 Twin Snow Bike

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  • #1

    KZ750 Twin Snow Bike

    Back in August of 2010, my good friend Greg stopped by and informed me there was a Kawasaki at a local tag sale a few streets over so we went to have a look. It looked like it was stored outside for several years, had siezed motor, but was complete. I was used to KZ1000 fours but this was a unique 750 parallel twin with a counter balanced engine.

    I asked the owner "How much?". The answer was "What do you offer?". Got it for $50.00 with a title. So I brought it home.

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    Tags: 750, kawasaki, snow, twin
    • 2 likes
  • #2
    I pulled the plugs and poured a few ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in the cylinders and let it soak for about a month. When the time was right, I pulled the plugs back out, stuffed rags over the spark plug holes, shifted the bike into 5th gear, and rocked her back and forward until "POP"! She broke free.

    I then went thorough the carbs, ignition and rebuilt the forks and calipers. The bike ran great and was fun to drive but I had a specific use in mind for this bike. Winter riding. Snow in particular.

    Since my youth I had always dreaded the New England weather and it's 4 to 5 month motorcycle lay up. It was a dark time in my life. I actually had to drive a car which is very depressing. I had tried to ride during a snowstorm by riding in the car tire ruts but it was pretty treacherous. There had to be a better way. Side car.

    I picked up a Velorex sidecar in Springfield MA that had been sitting for years and the project took off from there.


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    • #3
      The KZ750 came with a single front brake and wire spoke wheels which was ok for a street bike but not really great for sidecar work in the snow and salt. I modified the bike for a second caliper & KZ1000 mag wheels for strength & better corrosion resistance. I also added a period correct fork brace. Telescopic forks can really twist under a sidecar load. I also added a very rare Russian Dnepr steel fairing for weather protection. The gas tank has bungs welded to the side for a poor man's fuel gauge. The filler is an Indian type cap. Craig Vetter Hippo Hands to keep my hands warm and dry.


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      • #4
        Time to put on some miles. My wife rides with me all winter. DSCN3748.JPG DSCN3736.JPG DSCN3739.JPG DSCN3740.JPG

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        • #5
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          • #6
            I have ridden literally every day since. I rode every day to work until my retirement. Here is a picture from a Stafford swap meet after it snowed. We were the only ones who rode.

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            • #7
              A friend of mine who lives down in the Carolinas sent me this. He saw the picture on Farcebook and sent it to me. "Is this you?" he asked. Yes it is. Coming home from work after a blizzard here in Connecticut.

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              • #8
                I can't express how positive this bike has been for me. No more winter depression and I can carry stuff. Out of all the bikes I've built, this one is very special to me.

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                • #9
                  Your story put a smile on my face, but I do think winter riding is crazy. haha
                  AMCA #41287
                  1972 FX Boattail Night Train
                  1972 Sportster project
                  1971 Sprint SS350 project
                  1982 FXR - AMCA 99.25 point restoration
                  1979 FXS 1200 never done playing
                  1998 Dyna Convertible - 100% Original
                  96" Evo Softail self built chopper
                  2012 103" Road King "per diem"
                  plus 13 other bikes over the years...
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                  • #10
                    Hello DEEBS,
                    Thank you for posting your story. I have always lived where the winters shut down our 2 wheel riding, and usually by February, I can’t take it anymore, and have to get a bike out when the roads are clear. The salt on the roads has always been such a big factor where I live as well. You did such a great job outfitting the KZ 750 and Velorex combo. You really made me smile with your post, the whole project shows the ingenuity and creativeness we all cherish when we build our own machines. Excellent, just excellent !
                    Last edited by 1939wl; 08-08-2024, 09:30 AM.
                    Member # 8964
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                    • #11
                      Thank you. You are absolutely correct about the salt. Very corrosive. Very destructive. Two things I learned with having a salt-bike. Grease everything with marine grease, only brush paint parts, & rinse the bike with cold water & a marine product called Salt Off.


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                      • #12
                        After 10 years of loyal service, she was looking pretty bad. Numerous electrical problems. The copper within the harness was rotting from the inside out. Lots of repairs just to keep it going.


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                        • #13
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                          • #14
                            Started with the sidecar frame. Disassembled, blasted & powder coated. Had to pay extra for a special chemical resistant clear coat. It has been about 3 winters with no change in the finish.

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                            • #15
                              Fabricated my own wire harness. Use multi conductor trailer wire. Rear panel with a Gammatronix module to eliminate the condenser and just use the points as a switch closure/gate output to the coil. I had to move the coil behind the battery where it would not get wet in rain & snow storms. All of these mods worked great and increased durability a resistance to corrosion.

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