Topic: 1980 Kawasaki Z1000ST

[Mark K]

Recently found '80 Kawasaki Z1000 ST for sale (or is it a KZ1000, don't know how it was marketed?).  I've done a little research and it appears this Kawasaki model was only made in '79 & '80.

I don't have a picture I can post. It's not running, looks mostly complete except for a seat (from the pictures I've seen) and the guy selling it says the engine is not seized. It does look like it's been sitting out in the weather for quite awhile.

Would this be a good project to tackle? He's asking $300 neg.

Thanks.

[BenelliSEI]

Looks like this? A stuck motor is worth $300 IMO.

[Kelly E]

Last year we sold this 75' Z1-B with a seized motor that had sat out for years for $3950.00. It was more than we wanted to tackle and I was pretty sure then that I was going to get the 77' KZ1000 LTD.
$300 is a great price and there's tons of parts available.

[seanbarney41]

...but the ST is not the same as a Z1, KZ1000, etc.  It is shaft drive.  Otherwise same engine.  All other parts not interchangeable.  Tank, side panels, seat may look similar to KZ1000 Mark II, which is a very rare and sought after model.  So about the ST...not much collector demand for these, and I don't know about you, but I never liked shaft drive much.  But hey, if it floats your boat, Kawasaki builds solid stuff.

[Kelly E]

Early Japanese shaft drive bikes don't work as well as the later bikes. When Honda came out with the V4 bikes they solved the shaft drive torque issue by using a longer swingarm. The extra length gave the leverage needed to resist the torque rise and fall. I haven't ridden an early Kawasaki shaft drive bike but if it is anything like the Yamaha XS1100's it is a pretty dramatic. The early shaft drive bikes don't like sporty riding but work fine as cruisers. My 94' Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours is a shaft drive bike and is very similar to the Honda V4 bikes with a long swingarm which makes room for the mono-shock set up. It thinks it's a Ninja. I bet that Kawasaki used the same forks, brakes and some other stuff used on other models.

[Mark K]

Got some pictures, and it doesn't look anywhere close to the bike pictures y'all posted. It's in pretty rough shape. I'm currently in the middle of rebuilding a '73 CB750 and debating about buying another project for the future.

Does it look to rough to tackle? Could I recoup my money by parting it out, if I couldn't get it running or ends up being too costly to bring back to life?

I appreciate all of your opinions, as my experience is at the novice level.

Thanks.

[MauiK3]

That one could take a lot of work and $$

[ekpent]

By the looks of all the other junk around there it looks like its been living outdoors for a long time. With those pods filters the carbs are probably shot and bet there is water in the engine. Surprised the engine still rolls over. If it was a two year only bike certain parts might be hard to find.  Looks like a challenge.

[dragracer]

If its an original motor, the cases are worth $300. The crank would bring $250 if it's the original 16 tooth center.

[Mark K]

Thanks for all the replies and the great advice. I'm gonna pass on this bike, I've got to get the CB750 finished I've been working on before I tackle something like this Kawasaki. If anyone is interested in the bike, I can pass along the frame VIN, engine serial number and contact information. He was asking $300neg.