1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

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1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

21 Jul 2019 15:10 - 21 Jul 2019 15:11
#807943
I recently bought a 1978 KZ1000 LTD. I will use this thread to document this LTD conversion to the looks of a 1974 Z1-900.

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1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD
Last edit: 21 Jul 2019 15:11 by Kofla.

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  • hardrockminer
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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

21 Jul 2019 16:13
#807945
Looks pretty good the way it is...just a little cleaning and you've got a winner.

Here is my 1980 LTD in 1978 colour scheme.

I have several restored bikes along with a 2006 Goldwing with a sidecar. My wife has a 2019 Suzuki DR 650 for on and off road.

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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

21 Jul 2019 21:17 - 21 Jul 2019 21:18
#807959
hardrockminer wrote: Looks pretty good the way it is...just a little cleaning and you've got a winner.

Here is my 1980 LTD in 1978 colour scheme.


Thanks, your bike looks great.

I am a fan of the 1974 color scheme. So I am planning to replace the tank, rear wheel, exhaust, seat, and a few other things. If everything goes well, it should be ready for next year riding season.
1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD
Last edit: 21 Jul 2019 21:18 by Kofla.

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  • Street Fighter LTD
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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

22 Jul 2019 08:17
#807979
Breaking my heart .
Paint looks real good. Want to swap tail pieces since you are repainting yours anyway ???


Here is mine Car is also a family member 38 Buick

Dave

Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn

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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

23 Jul 2019 00:57
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Street Fighter LTD wrote: Breaking my heart .
Paint looks real good. Want to swap tail pieces since you are repainting yours anyway ???


Here is mine Car is also a family member 38 Buick

Nice car! I am replacing parts, not repainting. For now I plan to keep the LTD parts.



Dave
1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD
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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

25 Jul 2019 10:53
#808116
It's been a long time since I owned a KZ. I was in the process of replacing the OEM handlebars with an aftermarket type the other day, and I forgot that both handlebar switch assembly require the wires to be run inside the handlebar. What a pain.

[img
1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD

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  • Kawboy74
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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

30 Jul 2019 18:59
#808456
Hey Dave, I sent you pics of a tailpiece I have that will match yours,you not get it?
David
1974 Z1A As original as I could get it
'88 ZX750R braided lines, mostly original
KZ1000 project on the bench
Burlington,Ontario,Canada

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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

17 Aug 2019 21:48
#809374
I am at a crossroads, undecided on retouching, painting the whole frame or have frame powder coated. I am more leaning towards retouching the whole frame, with the expectation to have the bike ready before next vintage motorcycle event April 2020.

In other news, it was a matter of sheer luck or planetary alignment was in the works for me. Last week, I found a Kerker 4-1 exhaust system in excellent shape and reasonably priced advertised in a Facebook vintage group. It's been shipped from the United Kingdom and should be here by the end of next week. Nowadays, these Kerker exhaust systems cost an arm and a leg. I found a real bargain.

So far, it's been a real fun project tinkering with this bike.

[img


[img
1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD

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  • saxjonz
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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

23 Aug 2019 20:00
#809726
You know I like your idea. I just posted a pic of my bike on the flag run thread. I have a thing for the older style tail light and fin with the fat tank. I changed mine up a bit to look more like a kz but my ltd in basement will get the z1 treatment for sure. You need to reweld the tabs and get the other pieces to make it happen but why not? I got my frame powder coated and it looks great. If I would have done the frame again I may have tried gun kote or something really durable yet thin. My serial numbers all but disappeared. Anyway, thanks for posting before and looking for the during and after pics for sure. I probably should clean my bike up and post nice pics of it in the gallery. It really has gone through a huge transformation.
79 LTD B3
80 LTD B4 1075 kit JE Pistons .410 cam grind, Bassani, 31 keihin CR Specials...
1980 Z1R, 2002 ZRX1200, 2003 ZRX1200

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Re: 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD conversion

25 Aug 2019 10:52
#809819
saxjonz wrote: You know I like your idea. I just posted a pic of my bike on the flag run thread. I have a thing for the older style tail light and fin with the fat tank. I changed mine up a bit to look more like a kz but my ltd in basement will get the z1 treatment for sure. You need to reweld the tabs and get the other pieces to make it happen but why not? I got my frame powder coated and it looks great. If I would have done the frame again I may have tried gun kote or something really durable yet thin. My serial numbers all but disappeared. Anyway, thanks for posting before and looking for the during and after pics for sure. I probably should clean my bike up and post nice pics of it in the gallery. It really has gone through a huge transformation.

Another member suggested to paint the side covers, instead of dealing with rewelding the tabs or getting the side engine mounts/tabs. I think is easier to order the paint and go that route. Thanks for the feedback.
1978 Kawasaki KZ-1000 LTD

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