Newbie here with 1980 KZ 1300A (Grand) Touring

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Newbie here. I just bought a 1980 KZ1300A Sports Touring. This is my first Kawasaki. I've owned many bikes over the years but I yearned for that one bike that always eluded me, the Kawasaki KZ. As a teenager, I used to hear those Kawasaki 900 and 1000s coming and going past my school and neighborhood. And what made it so special to hear those bikes roar by were the tricked out exhaust systems. That deep, throaty rumble as they rode slowly past and the loud roar as they scrambled top speed down the road. Everyone has a motorcycle preference. Hondas, Harleys, Triumphs, Yamahas and Kawasakis. I have owned all the above except for the Kawasaki. And yesterday, I got one. The Kawasaki KZ is my bike of preference I have carried over from my youth. I have never wavered from my desire for the original superbike. I may have paid too much for it but nonetheless, its mine. It has got it's problems, some mechanical and some electrical, but all fixable. The bike itself is complete and has been well maintained until several years ago. Garage kept with very very little rust and decent paint still adorns my childhood dream bike. The Tail trunk, hard bags,fairing and touring seat have been removed but preserved by it's former owner. I plan on putting these back on since I do enjoy taking the scenic route when my wife and I do some weekend traveling. And my wife will have to sacrifice on these trips on the KZ. She won't be able to pack as much as she has when we take the car. She will have to leave the kitchen sink behind.

Even though I know that it won't be as easy to put the KZ back to original configurations, but as a hobbyist motorcycle restorer, I'm up to the challenge. And I do need some support as to what I don't know about this legendary machine that has so fasinated me since my youth. I'll be posting the KZ's electrical problems in the appropiate forum within a day or two.

welcome no sense fooling around with some small easier bike to start with. that's what i like to see go big or go home right.there are alot of good people on here that are more than ready and willing to lend a hand. so have fun with that big old girl.

Welcome to the KZ world. Have fun on the project and make her how you want her. Should be fun and the rewards will be tenfold. Once again welcome

Welcome Unomike! Yep...you definitely got the biggest one Kaw ever made :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Might I also suggest you visit www.KZ1300.com ?

Welcome! You've come to the right place :laugh:

Thanks guys for the warm welcome. I'll be around often. Winter is coming sooner this year than last I suspect. So the garage is being cleaned out from all my summer yard equipment and into a storage building so I can spread out and work on the KZ.

Another Kz 1300 website:
www.kz1300.com/techarticles/z1300-dfi-conversion.html

Welcome to the forum ..that bike is a great touring bike for sure..

Welcome Mike glad to see you made it over here... Keep us up to date on your changes. One warning were like pictures. Always nice to hear one more person willing to put in the effort to resurrect a 29 year old classic.

Well I fixed the wiring problem. Just a bad connection in the lighting circut. Since I have not been able to clean out my garage like I have planned, I decided to let the local bike shop (CAPS) in Bristol, TN. to do the general tune up and go over the KZ1300 with a fine tooth comb to make sure it is 100% reliable. The head mechanic(Keith)is experienced with the KZ1300 and is personally familiar with this bike through the previous owner. When I brought the bike to CAPS, it was quickly surrounded by a dozen fasinated sportbike riders. One fellow offered to trade me title for title, his 2009 Suzuki sportbike for the KZ. Well ... I turned down the offer.
I'll be posting pictures of the KZ1300 soon. I will still be doing some extra work on it. It needs new paint and I am working on the Touring bags and tail trunk in my living room at the moment. Just gotta remember the keep the camera handy.

Definitely go to the websites mentioned. I have an 80 non-touring myself with 4k miles on it. 1st thing I would do is check the coils. These are notorious for having cracked coils due to the heat under the tank, all 3 of mine were cracked front to back and this on a 4k bike. Other than that enjoy it

Mike, Welcome to KZR nation , and pictures please, and tell us more about Kaw six bangers. regards Duke