Topic: 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD

[Kelly E]

Today Paul and I made a deal with my uncle for his 77' KZ1000 LTD for the family price of $1500. He was the second and fourth owner and his brother was the third owner. He bought it when it was about a year old. It's pretty clean and mostly stock except for the chrome Kerker and the hideous sissy bar. We'll pick it up soon and I'll post some better pictures later.

[Kelly E]

We picked up the bike today and it is already on the lift table. I'm currently making a parts list so we can get it back on the road as soon as we can.

[grcamna2]

Kelly,would you install a stock or repro exhaust if you could find one ?

[Kelly E]

Kelly,would you install a stock or repro exhaust if you could find one ?

I don't think so. The vintage Kerker is in fair shape. A couple of dents and compromised chrome but it is intact. If I make a change I'll sell the Kerker and buy a new Delkevik stainless exhaust. All of our bikes are built to ride, originality isn't a priority. Our main goal is to have fun. Most of our bikes have been $500 purchase price resurrections, it's all about having fun.

[grcamna2]

Kelly,would you install a stock or repro exhaust if you could find one ?

I don't think so. The vintage Kerker is in fair shape. A couple of dents and compromised chrome but it is intact. If I make a change I'll sell the Kerker and buy a new Delkevik stainless exhaust. All of our bikes are built to ride, originality isn't a priority. Our main goal is to have fun. Most of our bikes have been $500 purchase price resurrections, it's all about having fun.

I mentioned it because I thought 'centerstand' for that bike:I like centerstands.

[Mark1976]

Ya know, at that price point you really can't go wrong, it still leaves you a lotta room for the unexpected. The sissy bar and rack, ya gotta laugh it's just such a sign of the times thing, what were we think'in. They were so prevalent at one time (70's), to see a bike without one was the exception. Like disco, really glad when it passed. Still have the stock mixers (26mm???) and what type of baffle is in the pipe. The early style kerker baffle (short, no center) is a little more responsive to jetting and performance on that motor, especially with no airbox. I prefer the airbox these days, it's just quieter.

[Stev-o]

I had a '78 LTD and was a great bike, mine had the Kerker as well.  Was it a runner when you got it?

[Kelly E]

Ya know, at that price point you really can't go wrong, it still leaves you a lotta room for the unexpected. The sissy bar and rack, ya gotta laugh it's just such a sign of the times thing, what were we think'in. They were so prevalent at one time (70's), to see a bike without one was the exception. Like disco, really glad when it passed. Still have the stock mixers (26mm???) and what type of baffle is in the pipe. The early style kerker baffle (short, no center) is a little more responsive to jetting and performance on that motor, especially with no airbox. I prefer the airbox these days, it's just quieter.

The carbs are still the stock 26mm carbs. The sissy bar is already on the floor. The Kerker has the baffle with the small tube in the center of the opening and it came a pair of two carb rectangular air filters that look like K&N filters but there's no name on them, no airbox. The filters have seen better days and we will probably end up with pods. We'll are curious to see what jets are in the carbs.

[Kelly E]

Kelly,would you install a stock or repro exhaust if you could find one ?

I don't think so. The vintage Kerker is in fair shape. A couple of dents and compromised chrome but it is intact. If I make a change I'll sell the Kerker and buy a new Delkevik stainless exhaust. All of our bikes are built to ride, originality isn't a priority. Our main goal is to have fun. Most of our bikes have been $500 purchase price resurrections, it's all about having fun.

I mentioned it because I thought 'centerstand' for that bike:I like centerstands.

We like centerstands too. Z1 Enterprises sell reproduction centerstands but they are out of stock just like the seat I want. The seat is an aftermarket piece of crap. It looks like an early Corbin fiberglass seat pan, the cover is attached in the same way. It doesn't fit the bike very well, the cover isn't straight and the seams are crooked. On top of that it is hidious to look at.

[Kelly E]

I had a '78 LTD and was a great bike, mine had the Kerker as well.  Was it a runner when you got it?

My uncle started it the day before we picked it up but one of the carbs started leaking badly. I've already made a big ass parts list.

[Stev-o]

I had a '78 LTD and was a great bike, mine had the Kerker as well.  Was it a runner when you got it?

My uncle started it the day before we picked it up but one of the carbs started leaking badly. I've already made a big ass parts list.

What seat do you want?

https://z1parts.net/complete-seat-ltd-kz/

[MauiK3]

Check the seat lock specs, they varied by year I think.

[seanbarney41]

lots here...seat locks varied by year but they are all inter-changeable, no ltd's came from the factory with a center stand although there are provisions on the frame.  Z1/900/1000 center stands all work.  The stock exhaust was manufactured by Jardine (on the ltd only) and was 4 into 2.  I don't believe there are any repro's available.  Good condition originals can sell for as much as whole bikes.  The vm mikuni carbs used on Kawasaki are just as "finicky" as Keihins without the airbox, although there is a much wider selection of tuning parts.  There is a fellow in the UK who sellls air jet correctors that make tuning Mikuni vm's for pod filters a satisfying breeze

[Kelly E]

Thanks a bunch for all the great info, the only Kawasaki I have worked on before this is my 94' ZG1000 Concours. So I am busy learning a new brand of bike. z1parts has the cafe style repop seat I want. I just might get a reproduction Z1 style tank for two reasons, I prefer the looks of it and it holds about one more gallon of gas.
I'll give my uncle a break for slacking on the maintenance since he's 80yo, he rode it last year and still rides his 500 Vulcan.

[scunny]

That tank does look small.

[Kelly E]

Today Paul started disassembly of the carbs. They have stock pilots and one size up on the mains. I started by removing the rear wheel and brake system. This bike is really dirty and greasy from years of not being cleaned. I had to fill up the and use the parts washer to get the stuff clean after scraping off the chunky stuff.

The new seat came and looks good. I will have to use the stock seat lock catch off the old seat. I've got a lot of scrubbing ahead of me.

[grcamna2]

Those Hagon shocks on there Kelly ?

[Kelly E]

Those Hagon shocks on there Kelly ?

Nope, those are the stock shocks. Maybe someday.

[seanbarney41]

nice choice on the seat    Here is my bike for a sneak preview of what it is gonna look like

[seanbarney41]

oh jesus, wtf is going on now with picture posting

[ekpent]

oh jesus, wtf is going on now with picture posting

Go big or go home !! 

[Kelly E]

I don't think that will fit in my 1400sqft shop, not even through the big door.

[Stev-o]

I don't think that will fit in my 1400sqft shop, not even through the big door.

HA!

[BenelliSEI]

Posted this in the past. Did this one several years ago, for the original owner. Fantastic engine! Great project.

[Kelly E]

Nice job on the KZ1000. We still have a bunch of work before we get to ride this one.