SCORE... I Think?...

I'm still researching this bike I picked up tonight for $140.00. I think it's a Z1R thats been sitting out in the elements since 1988, at least that when the tags expired. It has the usual things wrong with it from sitting outside like a rusted, tank worn seat, no side covers, rusted nuts and bolts, carbs shot, seized cables and such. The engine won't turn over but from a quick inspection there doesn't seem to be any rust in the cylinders. A little Marvel Oil should do the trick. I didn't get keys or a title with the bike. How hard would it be to get a title for a bike.

I tried to identify the bike by using the VIN # in BuyKawasaki.com but no luck. Does anyone here know of another way to indentify a bike buy using the VIN#? If so the VIN is KZT00D-001548 and the engine number is KZT00DE-001598.

I think I want to restore this bike back to original condition do to the fact that the bike I've seen similar to the one look great. So if any have any info they care to share about this bike it would be well taken.

Also I know everyone here likes to see pictures so i will post some tomorrow. I just had to get this post out here for any guru's that may be able to identify this bike using the VIN or Engine numbers.

I believe you have a 1978 Z1-R.

See here: kzrider.com/content/view/134/50/

Post edited by: Skyman, at: 2007/05/22 23:15

That seems to be the bike. Thanks Skyman.

Titles can be a problem, depends on the state. Try going to your RMV website and see if you can find an FAQ. If you know the previous owner and can deal with them you can usually apply for a duplicate title. It's usually mailed to the PO who then has to sign it over to you. If you don't know who the previous owner is PM me and I'll try to help you.

Ron

My next questions is should I restore it or part it out? My gut is saying to restore it due to fact that there doesn't seem to be many on the road and there are some parts on ebay I could use for the restoration. Trying to title it may prove to be a problem. I'll look into titling it first and take it from there.

Can anyone tell me if this bike had any engine upgrades that made it any better than a regular KZ1000?

I just got off the phone with the DMV and they said the only way I can get this vehicle registered in my name is to have the title signed over to me or have a court order judgement listing me as the new owner of this bike.

Is this bike really worth the effort?

You have a lot to think about here. It is hard for us to give solid advise since we haven't seen the bike to know what hspae it is in. I am assuming it is typical condition for a bike that has sat outside for a long time. First of all you will never be able to find another Z1R for the price you paid, no matter what shape it is in. That being said it doesn't mean that the bike is worth fixing up. If it were me I would strip the bike down and part it out. If you clean the parts very well, get rid of rust and then paint them to make them look decent you can make some good money. Spend $40 and get a bench grinder to use as a buffer and polish all the engine covers. You will have to invest some time in cleaning everything but it will be worth it. Now is a great time to sell stuff on ebay. Let's say you sell all the parts and make $700 (rough estimate). You have $140 init right now. Another $40 for a buffer and say $30 for sand paper and paint. So you are $210 into you wallet. Sell for $700 and you just made $480. If you go the other route you are looking at much spending much more money. $140 for the bike, $200 to get it titled, say $1500 in parts, $400 for a good paint job (if you do it yourself). Already you are at $2240 and that is if you id not have to do any major engine work. You could easily spend $3500 if you have to rebuild the carbs, bore the cylinders, replace rings, all gaskets, tires, battery, wire harness, ect. So you have spent $3500 and many months of work for a bike that is worth about $3500 unless it was a correct restoration. Sell everything now and use the profit to buy a bike in better shape. I don't know what tools and space you have available but for a rebuild you will need a nice tool set, compressor, paint equipment, access to sandblaster and much more. Just my $0.02 worth but I would part that sucker out and be happy with whatever you make. Who knows, you might make a killing if everything is listed right.

Thanks Kawtoy. Parting out the Z1R may not be a bad idea cause it seems like a lot of work to take owner ship of a motorcycle that the owner abandoned. I do plan on getting this thing running, then that will help me decide which route to take.

I live in Jersey and had the same title problem you have with a honda nighthawk. Its like a minimum of six months jumping thru hoops to get a title. I gave up. There's some places online you can check too, that does it for you, seems reasonably priced too. Google "title" and you'll see. I dont know about you, but I fantasize about finding a bike like that in farmer johns yard or something, and im always looking.. Thats a great find.

how about just buying a bare z1r frame with a title?

seems like there was a service that offerd to get a title for a fee I think they go out of state and get it in your name and then you transfer it in your state