Topic: The 1978 Kawa KZ1000D1...or Z1R

[Chester345]

So a buddy of mines dad has had one of these since new, and it's a pure beauty, still to this day.  I fell in lust with that bike from the moment I laid eyes on it so many years ago.

I found a guy with one close to me, but he's missing a ton of stuff and has repainted and maybe messed with other things.  He claims it only has 8500 miles on it, and fires first kick, always, and runs like a top.  But it's missing the trademark gauge cluster/dash, stock seat gone, no airbox, no mirrors/signals, etc.  Most of the other stuff it's missing, I would have changed anyway.

I'm trying to fight the urge to go see it, guy wants 3k, but I think I could get it for under 2.  I know if I go look, and haggle, I'll justify a purchase.  heh

Advice?

[MRieck]

I remember when those bikes came out. I really liked them then and still do now. It's missing so much I think it is only worth 2......if that

[HavocTurbo]

If it runs as well as he says, the engine alone could be worth 2 to the right person.

Good luck finding parts for it though.

Spent the better part of 3 years trying to compile some for a customer at the dealership. All in all I think he spent close to 9 just in parts.

[Chester345]

Yeah, I wouldn't be restoring it completely, just some.  It would be a rider, completely.  Like the stock color would come back for sure.

Visions of turbo danced in my head.

It's pretty tempting, even in it's hacked up state!

[HavocTurbo]

I've got an 85 GPZ750 Turbo.

Believe me are they worth it on the older engines.

[Chester345]

And the email bantering continues...says he paid 1500 for it a year ago and had someone carb sync and tune it up...

[HavocTurbo]

I'd want to hear it run until it warms up. then check throttle response.

Other than that.... make sure it doesn't leak, smoke, etc.

Also... check for valve noise. A lot of guys commonly mistake intake chatter for valve noise on the 1000's.

[fuzzybutt]

dont those have something like 4 or 5 chains hwipping around inside them too?

[Chester345]

Not real sure.  I know they have 90 some ponies inside whipping around though...

[Retro Rocket]

They are a gear drive bottom end in the Kwaka's, so i'd say less chains than a Honda....

Mick

[PJ]

I love KZs! I have my eye on a 79 LTD as well..
I have had a couple KZs and if it's a 78 1000(says 1015cc) it shouldn't have a kicker, it may be a 900cc engine?? I think the kicker went away in 76 with the last 900s.

[Chester345]

Dude dropped his advertised price to $2k, now I have to go look at it.

Moo