Yet another new guy.

Picking up a '78 (?) KZ 1000 this weekend so I figured I'd better find a community. This bike has been sitting in a garage, not started in nearly 10 years. Then the house burned and the owner died in the fire. His wife gave the bike to me in hopes it would be put to good use. I now have a project! It seems all stock except the pipes and a 3' tall sissy bar. Slight smoke and scorch damage,mostly on the front brake resevoir.
Some background. I have wrenched in a few shops mostly the Ho and Yah brands. Been a mechanic most my life,settling on vertical transportation as a career. Owned many bikes and currently have a oilhead bmw and a Honda VFR750. Just sold my Hayabusa so I'm looking at this as a street ride with comfy ergos and some performance to boot.
I'm looking forward to all this so it's time to start the education and get some ideas.
Go easy please.... I'M NEW!!

A pic would be helpful. Is it running? Sure you know all the basics.
Steve

Lets try these.

Greetings Gundecker! Looks like its all there so that's 75% of the battle. Actually, its all there and more, LOL. That has got to be the biggest crash bar I have ever seen on a any bike. The KZ is a perfect bike for what stated you want. Nice comfortable riding position and seat. Great performance but nice for long trips as well if fitted right. I noticed it has eurobars installed. That's what I have, and I find them very comfortable as well. Sounds like you know your way around old bikes as well. So I'm not going to bore you with basics that need to be attended to. Anything KZ specific you will find here. People on here are eager to answer any questions about these models.

Those look like cross over tuned exhaust. Don't throw them away. I had mine for 20 years until the wreck. Looks like you have a lot to work with. You can get a seat cover to fit that style. Is that the fairing you were talking about? I had one, too heavy. Should clean up nicely.
Steve

And here is what she looks like in my driveway after a very hasty bath. 1978 A. The crashbars and backrest were purchased and installed in May of '78 going by the receipts in the trunk.

Good job. This is what I started with 3 years ago. Been sitting at my place 15 years.




Everything I do to it, it gives me that much more back.
Steve

Hello, Gundecker, and WELCOME to KZrider!

The bike is coming along nicely and looking very presentable.

Good Fortune!

Nice bike! Lots of good info here, just don't listen to the relay riders! Unless you're around a campfire. And then REALLY don't listen to them!

For one:
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/592092-pho...ter?start=220#661079

I said I was new.....
After looking closer I find it's a '77 model. Mfg date of 11-76. Removed the 27 lb engine guard and crazy tall backrest.Much better! After I get her running,I'll be looking for a flatter seat..the current one says LTD on it and I'm not real fond of the hump.
Thanks all.
Dana