1982 KZ1000 to Fighter..

First let me say hello and a big thanks for the site and all the great information in contains. I wish this was around 25yrs ago during my first few builds.. lol

Some of you guys have some GREAT builds and the ideas and endless, which doesn't make it any easier for me to make my mind up which way I want to go, but I guess that's the fun of it, all... you can change it as we go, right?

I was going to start this thread a few days ago, but its hard not to play with new toys.. So here goes nothing...

I started out wanted to duplicate an ELR build I did way back in the day on a 78, 650SR, loved that bike. Big Bore, smoothies, etc.. Was a great machine! However, after much consideration I decided to started on a little larger platform. After much time researching and going back to some of my old contacts (only to find everyone is gone now) I managed to track down a nice starter.

Last Friday I picked up a 1982 KZ1000J w/ 42K miles. It had been parked for awhile in a bike yard, but it was pretty much all there. So I loaded it up and took it home.

My short list of mods will include (but not limited to) the following..

Monoleaf swingarm
USD front end
Breaks
Wheels
New sets
Big bore kit


Lots of decisions to make and sort out, so any advice will be much appreciate it.

Here are some quick picks and some status updates..

Friday 8/23 (day I brought it home)



My cheering crew!!!


Next day I got on it...

Spent a little more time on it today and got the wiring harness all marked up and removed and last but not least got the engine removed.





I had to pull the cover to see how it looked inside. Not to bad all things considered. I will get the head off tomorrow and have a better look.



Jack

Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

looks like a complete bike. nice score.as far as the usd front end I would suggest finding a late model suzuki complete front end and get ahold of a member named irshwell.the man makes some nice custom upper tripples that make it pretty east to do the conversion. there are several guys building or have built some really nice bikes on this site.check chassis and projects section for ideas.from my own experience. try to buy complete assemblies. swingarm,wheel brake caliper,etc.makes it ALOT easier than trying to scrounge spacers and small items.definitly be watching your build. I did a 81 gpz almost the same thing.

Hawkeyenfo wrote: Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

Yes, I actually purchased that tank to go on the bike. I have a stock 82 J tank as well. Why you looking for one?

Jack

Boostable wrote:

Hawkeyenfo wrote: Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

Yes, I actually purchased that tank to go on the bike. I have a stock 82 J tank as well. Why you looking for one?

Jack

Yeah...very popular style tank (ELR/early GPz tank)...I like them too.

camaroguy wrote: looks like a complete bike. nice score.as far as the usd front end I would suggest finding a late model suzuki complete front end and get ahold of a member named irshwell.the man makes some nice custom upper tripples that make it pretty east to do the conversion. there are several guys building or have built some really nice bikes on this site.check chassis and projects section for ideas.from my own experience. try to buy complete assemblies. swingarm,wheel brake caliper,etc.makes it ALOT easier than trying to scrounge spacers and small items.definitly be watching your build. I did a 81 gpz almost the same thing.

That is the big dilemma... trying to figure out what suspension to use!! I have a line on a couple options, GSXR1000 and 750's. I like the 750 swing arm, but I know the forks are a bit short, so looking for 1000's front. Also, really like the 636 setup, but I have not been able to find the exact length for comparison, any idea? The ZX9 is always an option as well... choices, choices..

Just recently I got a line on a 10R front end, so I need to find out if that would work. That would be pretty sweet.

It may end up being a mix and match of a few bikes, we shall see..

Jack

Mcdroid wrote:

Boostable wrote:

Hawkeyenfo wrote: Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

Yes, I actually purchased that tank to go on the bike. I have a stock 82 J tank as well. Why you looking for one?

Jack

Yeah...very popular style tank (ELR/early GPz tank)...I like them too.

He said he might have another one, I would be happy to ask if you would like...

Jack

Boostable wrote:

Mcdroid wrote:

Boostable wrote:

Hawkeyenfo wrote: Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

Yes, I actually purchased that tank to go on the bike. I have a stock 82 J tank as well. Why you looking for one?

Jack

Yeah...very popular style tank (ELR/early GPz tank)...I like them too.

He said he might have another one, I would be happy to ask if you would like...

Jack

YES!

Looks like some promising material! The Europe/GPZ1100/ELR tank style was the only one avaible on the J:s in Europe, and I think it's a lot better looking then the rounded one that was stock on the J:s offered to the US.

I kinda regrett selling my Z1000J3. Got the itch to pick another one up, but I don't know how I would motivate that buy seeing how over half of my bikes need money and work done on them But I'm watching a J3 on "graigslist that's been for sale for almost 2 months without beeing sold...maybe I could pick it up for 1000 euro, i I just can find that kind of monay somwehre

/Otto

Mookachacka wrote: Looks like some promising material! The Europe/GPZ1100/ELR tank style was the only one avaible on the J:s in Europe, and I think it's a lot better looking then the rounded one that was stock on the J:s offered to the US.

Otto, you should find me about six or so of those tanks and ship them over to me. They are in short supply over here, and I would love to get my hands on a few more..

Jack

Mcdroid wrote:

Boostable wrote:

Mcdroid wrote:

Boostable wrote:

Hawkeyenfo wrote: Looking good! Are you keeping the rectangular tank?

Yes, I actually purchased that tank to go on the bike. I have a stock 82 J tank as well. Why you looking for one?

Jack

Yeah...very popular style tank (ELR/early GPz tank)...I like them too.

He said he might have another one, I would be happy to ask if you would like...

Jack

YES!

Checked the other tank out, and its to far gone to save... He does however have a 82 750gpz tank if you are interested in that one. Its in very good shape, but it has a dent in the top left. Nothing that could not be pulled out pretty easily. Let me know if you want any info on that one, I have a pic of it..