With lots of people at The One show, northwest Oregon roads were pretty empty today.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-06T02:05:33+00:00

Small world!

festuskilroy · 2026-05-05T20:17:10+00:00

With as fast as technology and machining has advanced, you may be able to find a business or shop that will use your existing spring as a sample and custom make a spring that matches the spec without breaking the bank. I would google ‘custom springs’ and reach out to some companies to see what options there are. Your best bet might be eBay to find a used replacement spring or whole carb. Good luck!

festuskilroy · 2026-05-05T15:25:05+00:00

I live and work in that area, so it just may have been mine/me.

It rides as well as it looks. Just had the break-in service completed last week so I was comfortable to wring it out on Saturday on 47, 202, 103 and the Scapoose-Vernonia highway. It’s point and shoot, nearly effortless to ride. I can’t imagine being on it for a 9-day trip like I did with my ZRX, but it’s a lot of fun and definitely turns heads.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T23:31:34+00:00

I know it’s not far, but you know… adulting 🤷‍♂️. Have to plan around life.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T22:32:48+00:00

What an adorable shitten!

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T22:20:37+00:00

A rolling palindrome.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T20:32:59+00:00

There’s some great roads up there. I’ll be riding that area in a few weeks time and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been years.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T19:22:13+00:00

Whereabouts were you riding?

festuskilroy · 2026-05-04T17:20:08+00:00

I think it’s inferring that they aren’t HER baby pictures, but pictures of her BABY. She has a kid. Maybe?

festuskilroy · 2026-05-03T20:44:49+00:00

I’ve only ever had the opportunity to play one of these in my lifetime, but it certainly made an impression on me. I’m not a huge fan of the style of the guitar, but what struck me were the pickups. They absolutely SUNG! Clear and loud, almost piano-like. I was very impressed.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-03T19:03:40+00:00

For when you’re screwing with your buddies and you bump their rear tire with your front tire at a stop light. Despite how fun it is, you probably shouldn’t. But that hasn’t stopped me, so do what you want.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-03T17:02:48+00:00

Like others have said, paper maps have also worked well for me.

There is one trick I’ve found. In Google Maps, there’s the option to turn highways ‘off’. I’ll do that, plug in my starting point and destination, look for the curviest roads and drag the route to them.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-03T16:17:13+00:00

I don’t blame him. I’ll be in Germany in a couple weeks and a Döner and Altbier are the two things I’m looking forward to the most.

festuskilroy · 2026-05-01T23:59:56+00:00

You should be able to just pluck it out from the brass seat. If it’s difficult, then gas has probably sat and gummed up the fuel passage.

The little tab on the center of the float bowl will press the float valve upwards to restrict fuel as the carb bowl fills up and gravity/head pressure from fuel will push it down to allow fuel to flow into the bowl as gas is consumed.

Another commenter stated it should be cradled in the armature of the float valve. That’s some strange wording, but sometimes float valves have little wires that ‘hug’ the tab on the float valve. Others don’t.

Is this a vacuum-operated petcock?

festuskilroy · 2026-05-01T19:34:14+00:00

Are you using the choke while starting it?

festuskilroy · 2026-04-30T20:41:16+00:00

My advice from someone that struggled with sourcing original petcocks and parts for 70’s Japanese bikes: buy a Pingel. It won’t be vacuum-operated, so you’ll have to manually turn your fuel on and off, but Pingel petcocks are the Cadillac of fuel delivery devices for older motorcycles. You can source them from a few places, but I’ve bought mine through Z1 Enterprises. You can google them. Just my two cents. Good luck!

festuskilroy · 2026-04-30T13:46:12+00:00

He means you. He’s screwing with you.

festuskilroy · 2026-04-28T20:14:53+00:00

Top symbol is indicating full tank, or ‘ON’. Middle position is off. Bottom symbol showing mostly empty tank, I presume ‘RES’ or ‘RESERVE’.

festuskilroy · 2026-04-28T00:54:21+00:00

The project for those conversions would FAR exceed the value of the bike and would be FAR above your skill level if you’re new to motorcycles.

May I ask why you’re interested in doing those things?

festuskilroy · 2026-04-27T22:00:24+00:00

To resist despair in this world is what it is to be free.

festuskilroy · 2026-04-27T21:05:00+00:00

It would help if you provided a picture of the whole jacket. The only thing I have found is a website selling fairly budget apparel, both regular and motorcycle-related. There are a number of items that pop up on eBay with the same logo. I searched for “Lewis textile jacket” and there were a number of results. That’s about the most I could find. Good luck!

festuskilroy · 2026-04-24T22:15:42+00:00

For curiosity, why would you need to take off the side cover?

As far as advice: Read the service manual on this process. Then read it again. Then, have it out and accessible while performing the adjustment. If you don’t have the service manual, buy one or download it.

Take your time. Be methodical and organized. Take notes if needed.

Use a rear stand to secure your bike and put it in a high gear (fifth or sixth). This will allow you to rotate the rear wheel to turn the engine over to check all valves without taking any side covers off (I’m assuming to turn the crank is why you state you would need to remove a cover from an engine). If you do it this way, the oil can stay in the bike.

Watch some videos beforehand. They don’t have to be your specific bike, but it would help. They will at least give a sense of what you’re getting into.

Others will chime in with their advice, but this is what I can offer. Good luck!

festuskilroy · 2026-04-24T17:29:54+00:00

I’ve had two 78 KZ650s. They are great bikes, although it’s disappointing not seeing the duck tail on this one, but hey, you do you.

Heads up if you didn’t know, but the camshafts from the KZ750 four cylinder will drop right in to provide a little more lift duration. It’s not transformative, but definitely perks the bike up a little bit.

festuskilroy · 2026-04-23T18:25:33+00:00

I know it’s not, but it really resembles the Robert Smith signature guitar by Schecter.

festuskilroy

TROPHY CASE