1981 KZ1000 Factory Paint Colors

Hey everyone, I have a KZ1000 may have seen it in a different thread but I have a question about paint so I figured I would start a thread here. I haven't been able to find much on the 1981 kz1000's especially ones without the tail sections which from what I can tell most came with from the factory. Anyways the one I have has a hole in the fuel tank which has caused the paint to bubble, my question is, is this a factory color? If not then what were factory colors for 1981. I skeptic on the color partially due to my sidepods not having their badges either. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

VIN shows 1981 when searched, date on bike shows 11/80
Eric

That's not a factory color. You can try the vin at Kawasaki.com, but I'm guessing your motorcycle is the 1981 KZ1000-K1 Ltd.
At Partzilla the 1000-K1 colors listed are Ebony & L.M.Red, plus the tank & side covers would have had pin striping.
From a sales brochure listed on EB, L.M. Red = Luminous Midnight Red.

There are no Kawasaki paint codes, but some places have been able to come up with good matches, usually from matching the paint on good parts or nos parts. PaintWorkz is one such place & he has provided some useful info here on KZR over the years.
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Thanks for your response that was exactly the info I was looking for. This bike is pretty far from factory so not sure if I'll return it to a factory color or let my friend with a body shop spray it with something they have left over that would look decent.

I believe that dash is from a 1982.

Martin is correct (as usual) . The factory paint is some tough stuff to duplicate, since they used so many different layers to do the paint schemes. The factory "red" is a somewhat ruby red that I tried to have my paint buddy duplicate, but it ended up looking totally black . You can't see the red tint in the paint unless it is in direct sunlight. It would also have pin-striping like Martin mentioned.

Meatball wrote: I believe that dash is from a 1982.

The 81 and 82 LTD have the same instruments.


The 81-82 CSR, (M1-2) have a different instrument and ignition configuration.


Pistriping (my 81 CSR now sold):

I figured the layering would be difficult to replicate. I pulled this bike out of a barn for $200 with a quote ‘it’s ran recently’ tough to believe because the hawk eyed observer will notice it’s lacking an exhaust but did come with a Vance and Hines set for the previous generation I believe. Anyways I’ll get the ole girl running and go from there on paint and aluminum polishing I suppose.

The picture is the best one I have of the dash shows 8k miles if I recall correct

200 bucks is a steal! As long as the title can be had, you're good. I imagine the paint was done when the Vetter faring was added to make everything match. My bike is a 81 LTD. All I ever seem to get for $200 are basket cases with no keys or title. 5 out of 6 of my latest bikes have had none or a screwed up title. I do the abandoned vehicle procedure here to get one issued. I wouldn't sweat the paint color theme too much unless you are going for the ultra purist correct bike thing.


Oddly enough, THIS bike had a good title AND a key.

Yeah didn’t think I could go wrong bought a very nice 1979 goldwing for the same price that was titled. The KZ isn’t but where I live all you need is a bill of sale and a vin and you can get a title I had to do it on my CB650C.

It’s amazing what people will keep the titles for and what they seem to lose them for I have an r1 in the same shape just a frame and some misc pieces that’s titled. Excited for the kz though and not concerned about going ultra original on it. The goldwing is all original once the fairing is removed.

never mind. meter I.D. posted while typing.


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This is how I painted my 81. I could not find the blue and yellow pinstriping, so I used the red one.

Mopguy were did you find the pinstripes, I have a 1981 KZ1000 CSR. and I cant find them anywhere.Thanks