KZ1000 should I?

So a guy wants to sell me a 1980 KZ1000 for around $2200. Look like a LTD model. Not sure how good a deal it is. What I'd like to know is how good are these bikes at speed? I've heard a lot of stories about high speed wobbles on underperforming frames with overperforming engines on the big Zs. Will I need to do any frame bracing or am I safe at +100 speeds? Don't race routinely, but sometimes there's a need for speed and I don't want to kill myself.
Thanks guys,
Ken

fortunately the 80's seem to be the strongest frames.as it should be that they evolved so to speak.
if you are going to keep stock size wheels and tires and not really sling it through corners you should be fine without bracing it all up.
however if you are going to install some sticky tires and or wider wheels ,routinely blast through some canyons or go corner carving bracing it up is a good idea.

leon

If you are concerned about high speed wobble then you might want to put steering damper on it. You can buy the fork bracket and damper on ebay for about $60. I have not had a problem with high speed wobble but have a steering damper on my 78 kz1000 for good measure.

The frame will be fine as is. However, there are 4 important non-frame items that can cause wobble/handling problems:

Crappy tires - tires can look ok but have internal irregularities that can cause speed wobble. If in doubt at all buy a set of QUALITY tires and be sure to replace the tubes with quality tubes at the same time. I like Pirelli Sport Demons with Metzeler tubes, but there are other good brands too.

Rear shocks - if they are the originals or cheap aftermarket items they should be replaced. Buy QUALITY shocks such as Hagon, Progressive, Ikon, etc. - NOT cheap Chinese ebay junk.

Front forks - purge all old fork oil very well and fill to the CORRECT LEVEL with quality fork oil such as Bel-Ray 15W.

Steering stem bearings - the original loose ball type very likely have Brinelling damage. If they are not dead smooth when properly adjusted and then turning the handlebars lock to lock with the front wheel off the ground replace them with tapered roller bearings.

Ed

Just adding 1 more thing to 650ed's list that can cause high speed wobble...swingarm bearings ...PETE