Just brought it home - 1983 Kz750-K1 Twin Belt Drive

Hello everyone - Just found this site and wanted to say hello, I just picked up a 1983 Kawasaki Kz750-k1 (M1?) Twin with a belt drive and it says LTD on side plates. It appears to me as Kawa had every option known to man that year 2cly. or 4cly. shaft, chain, belt, ltd, csr man my head hurts. Anyway the bike looks great, has only 22k on it, only has one problem electric start will not work when cold (weird huh?) and I got it for 500.00, so did I get taken? I'm really having a hard time find any good info on this bike and was hoping someone could help. Thanks John

Welcome!

The '83, eh? If I remember correctly, that year was the twin's last year, and was only available outside the 'States.

There's alot to tell about the twins, but I'll just start by responding to a coule of the things you mentioned:

The "LTD" moniker on the side was actually the line name for all the 750 twins from '76- '83, though the letters were only stuck on the side of that latter. The "LTD" style came to be known as a bit more laid-back, stepped seat, etc.

The electric start on the old big twin is famous for failing - does yours have a kick start, too (I hope)? Just search for "starter clutch" in here or the old version of the form, found at the "archive" link in the menu/toolbar above.

Taken? Nah. I paid $600 and $400 for mine, so I figger we even out. You got a good deal if it's nice, and a less than that if it's less than that.

There are a few 750 Twin owners here, and we're glad to help when we can. In fact, most everyone here is helpful.

As for info (like a manual) good luck. Because your model is more rare, it might be tough. Some guys get the manual for the older bikes like mine, and just deal with the differences. The engine is almost the same after all....

Enjoy!

Welcome, and give us some pictures when you can.

Here's a picture of the bike right after we got it home. Notice the nice seat cover & back rest.

Here's today after we cleaned it up some. Side covers are off at the moment.

Right Side

Post edited by: jmdayton, at: 2006/02/08 00:06

Other than the seat, it looks pretty nice. If it runs, $500 ain't bad!

Your KZ750 K1 shares a seat assembly with the KZ750 M1, so you can get a Travelcade replacement cover. I can't vouch for the merchant, but I found a pretty good deal here via Google.

(Edit) Or, you can do the $5 fix like I did on the KZ400. I posted details over in the Paint & Bodywork forum.

Looks like you've got a leaky head gasket too, but if that vintage car in the background is yours, you can probably fix that up pretty quick.

Enjoy your new toy!
-Kit

Post edited by: KitNYC, at: 2006/02/08 02:30

1983 KZ750K1 - belt drive twin. Manual needed.

WOW! this is so weird - I just got the same model about three weeks ago - for $520.00.

Starter works - but the battery was weak - had to replace. It is a belt drive KZ750K1.

Needs a little TLC - the previous owners stored it inside but did not really care for the bike.

I am now looking for a manual and parts. The K1 seems to be a little on the rare side. Rare is okay.

Good luck - if I find the a correct manual or parts I will let you know.

Attached is a pic the first day I had it at home. You can see the broken turn signal that needs repair. Hope to have the cosmetics done in time for the warm-up here in Indiana.

Well, I stopped at my local bike shop last night and checked on ordering a manual, no luck it's been discontinued, but they did have an original shop manual in the back and they let me look at it. While they won't sell it to me they did say I could photocopy anything I needed out of it, so that’s good news.

KitNYC - Thanks for the info, & yes the car is mine it’s a 1956 Buick Riviera Hardtop. I've had it since I was sixteen and it's another ongoing project, which I seem good at collecting.

Spearx - nice bike, how many miles? Ours (I say ours because this ones for my wife, I'm only the wrench turner) has 22k the prior owner said it had 15k when he purchased it and he added a trip to Alaska & back for the grand total.

Also the backrest/rack is for sale if anyone is interested

The bike as a little over 22k miles but the owner said the motor was rebuild about 16k miles.

BTW: Found a manaul on denniskirk.com for the kz750k1 and ordered it on the spot. A little more than I wanted to pay - but I did not want the stock to run out. I hope to get a complete scan of the manual at some future date.

I was suprised to find that orginal tool kit with the bike, but no owners manual. Maybe someday on ebay.

I might be interested in the backrest/rack any pics or details?

Just a quick follow-up to the manual I ordered from Dennis Kirk. It is not for the K1. They have it listed as covering the K1 belt drive version of the KZ750. It covers the KZ750E , H , L , LTD , R, the Z750L, and the ZX750A, E. The ISBN number on the manual I received was 0-89287-356-6.

On the upside I found an owner's manual for the my bike. KZ750-K1 is printed on the back of the manual and it is in great condition. Oh happy day.