Later Model Bikes

Hello All!

I am new to the group and recently became a big fan of restoring Kawi's!

I have noticed though that it appears most of you are the owners of older bikes.

I have shied away from them in fear of the cost associated with finding available parts and/or the higher cost that the might be.

My 1992 KZ-1000 P-11 was no piece-of-cake, but I was able to get all the parts I needed to get it 'Humming Along'
(it's For Sale by the way) and I'm ready to start on my next one!

You all offer some INDESPENSIBLE knowledge on taking the best care of your bikes, I thank you for all the help you have provided me.

I do long for more comraderie with riders of similar model/year bikes though. If your out there, send a shout!

Thanks,

ROB
Facility.Guru@Yahoo.com

newer bikes? run boys,save yourselves!:laugh: welcome to z-jungle!

welcome to our nightmare as far as parts availability goes if you havent noticed these older kawi's are among some of the easist bikes out there to restore or hot-rod the engines are the small block chevys of the bike world. easy to work on easy to tune also well thought out and i just so happen to think they are among the finest looking motorcycles on the planet,and if your into stock,restored,or hot-rodded look in the gallery there is a bike for everybody in there.

the cost is the same for all the big biks from 79 until whenever they stopped making the cop bikes. They all have the same motor and most everything else. For the 73-78 I have never had a problem finding either used or new parts since ebay has been around. Back in 85 I needed a gauge bracket. Try finding one without the internet or ebay. JB Weld was my close friend. :laugh:

"JB Weld was my close friend"... Good, then plug that hole in your arse and stop crapping in your skivies.... :laugh:

When I first started my project, I deliberated on stock vs custom for 3 months while researching the costs, task at hand etc... In mostly all cases, stock was more expensive then new... :blink:

Example, go to the Carb threads and see what some of the 30 year old 29mm smooth bores are going for... It's crazy!

Either way, there are some good bargains out there and the way I look at it is this. Where are you going to find a stock or custom KZ for ~ $5K that you know every inch of her has been gone through and examined by you and not the P.O. Plus it's fun!

Now compare that to new bike costs of $10k-20K in pricing...

Anyone can buy a new bike but not everyone can take one of these 30 year old machines and turn her into what some of these guys are doing, a truly powerful and beautiful piece of art and history.

You just have to love it!

OMR

Yep, I've got a newer Concours, and a 1980 750 twin that I have to fix up. I really have to admit that I really like the fit and feel of the old 750! I wish it was all finished, but then again, I'm really looking forward to the adventure of patching it all up!