1980 KZ1000 Chain drive... thoughts?

I had an 82 KZ1000 last year and loved it. Ran across this one, and I think I can pick it up for about $600. Supposed to run strong, only has 15k miles. Needs a battery and some cosmetics.

Not even sure what I'd do with it yet beyond get it road worthy. It then may go into the lineup of bike projects I already have to get a cafe or bob/chop treatment, or...?

Anyway, what are the goods and bads on this year/model bike? Anything you can tell from these pics? I've asked if he has the side covers. Waiting on a response to that question.

Thanks in advance for any help!

folks on this site are pretty jaded of the chopbobcafe thing.
if you want to do that i would suggest a xs650 yamaha.
what you have there sir is a muscle bike and should be treated as such.

here is what i would suggest you do to your bike.

















taking one of these kz900/1000 and making a chopbobcafe would be like taking a ss396 camaro and making a lowrider out of it.

can you ?
sure.
should you?
no.

is everyone else that knows anything about these bikes gonna appreciate the way you molested your bike.
doubtful.are you going to make them mad because you chopbobbedcafed prolly.

that my .02 fwiw.

leon

I appreciate the tips. Like I said, I don't really have a plan. it's one of those bikes that I don't NEED at the moment, but to me they are a badass muscle bike as well. Like I said, I had one last summer and it was a hoot!

My questions was more intended to gain some insight as to the pros and cons of this year and model though. Any thoughts on that?

the 1980ltd is one machine that done tastefully will make you more friends,and get you into more gas station conversations than possibly any other bike on the planet.
people will wade through a sea of harleys to come and look at them and talk to you and share stories.
look through this thread and let it all soak in.
kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/284878...ke-streetbike-photos

if you are a gear head that appreciates performance you need to get this bike and make it yours.

they are a timeless machine when done tastefully.they looked good in the seventies and still turn heads today.

they are an icon .

the first true muscle bike,imho.

leon

531blackbanshee wrote: the 1980ltd is one machine that done tastefully will make you more friends,and get you into more gas station conversations than possibly any other bike on the planet.
people will wade through a sea of harleys to come and look at them and talk to you and share stories.
look through this thread and let it all soak in.
kzrider.com/forum/13-bike-related/284878...ke-streetbike-photos
if you are a gear head that appreciates performance you need to get this bike and make it yoursthey are a timeless machine when done tastefully.they looked good in the seventies and still turn heads today.
they are an icon .
the first true muscle bike,imho.
leon

Thanks, I feel better already.

That things been listed a few times for about a year now, he had a "parts bike" with it at one time. Started out at $1700 for them

$600 would be fair for it

he did respond and say he doesn't have the side covers. And I know those aren't easy to come by...

What gets me though it has been popping up for over a year and he wont get a dash cover or ignition switch on it?

Side covers (plain no emblems) can be picked up from members here or from z1 enterprises for $100 or so.

I bought the parts bike he had for $300 last year, motor had a broken spark plug in the head he didnt say anything about, cut brake hoses the muffler was welded to the swingarm and the guy magically couldnt find the tank or tail when i showed up

Hmm, that makes me nervous. I asked what it needed other than "cosmetics" (what he said in the ad) and his only response was a battery.

So I take it you must be pretty close to me? The ad says he is in portage. I'm in Battle Creek

Yeah kind of nearby, lacrosse IN a hundred miles away, he keeps listing that thing in Indiana and guess what, theres a portage iN, and after i figured that out i already made an offer so I kept my word :whistle:

Cosmetic is kind of a generic answer to me, the guy honestly didnt seem like he knew to much about the bikes, if I bought it I would go through the carbs and everything to make sure it's straight and see if it is alright, the one I got from him was missing 2nd gear (that made five straight without 2nd) hell I honestly would buy it if I was t 98 miles from there

I'd give ya $600 delivered for it :evil: now i wouldnt live till the weekend if i did that

since its a 80 ltd it will have the good mk11 motor. These are the strongest motors before the j models. I would look at it and buy it if it looked decent.

Should be a mkii, the other one he had had a 78 1000 motor with a 79/80 head on it