82 KZ1000 J...22 miles...oh my...

Holy smokes: www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/vintage...87-82-kz1000-j2.html

:woohoo:

Bad Kaw where have you been? That same post was put on here last night. kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...=13&id=203847#203957

I'll bet you were busy looking for KZ650's.:laugh: I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of this find. Good thing for me it's too far away.

Well, the news is that the poster is not going to get much KZ action/interest on that site...mostly aimed towards V-twin/sport riders = newer bikes:)

Still no pictures and I doubt it true. Probably like that KZ1000 a few months ago on ebay that was proclaimed as new but just happened to have non original tires and paint. The thought of all the rubber and all the gaskets being bad after sitting I don't agree with. Paper doesn't care how long it sits and rubber does age of course but it ages a heck of a lot faster when used than sitting idle. I know, I know "dries out from sitting". Dries out a lot worse when used.

RonKZ650 wrote:

Still no pictures and I doubt it true. Probably like that KZ1000 a few months ago on ebay that was proclaimed as new but just happened to have non original tires and paint. The thought of all the rubber and all the gaskets being bad after sitting I don't agree with. Paper doesn't care how long it sits and rubber does age of course but it ages a heck of a lot faster when used than sitting idle. I know, I know "dries out from sitting". Dries out a lot worse when used.

If rubber components are allowed to dry out, they will rot MUCH quick if they are not being used. Things like oil seals in the engine, fork seals, brake seals, etc will dry out and fail very quickly.

I sure would like to see some pictures (duh!).
I know stranger things have happened, but who puts 22 miles on a new bike and then puts it up for 26 years?
Could this be an actual "barn find"?

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

RonKZ650 wrote:

Still no pictures and I doubt it true. Probably like that KZ1000 a few months ago on ebay that was proclaimed as new but just happened to have non original tires and paint. The thought of all the rubber and all the gaskets being bad after sitting I don't agree with. Paper doesn't care how long it sits and rubber does age of course but it ages a heck of a lot faster when used than sitting idle. I know, I know "dries out from sitting". Dries out a lot worse when used.

If rubber components are allowed to dry out, they will rot MUCH quick if they are not being used. Things like oil seals in the engine, fork seals, brake seals, etc will dry out and fail very quickly.

That's what they say so it must happen, but in my case it never happens, all my bikes sit for anywhere from 2 to 10 years without running and when I go to run them never have a problem with them. One friend of mine tells me "Don't let that H2 sit or the crank seals will dry out". He's been telling me that now for 30 yrs. I'm beginning to doubt that sitting is hurting the H2.

Hey guys.I did post first to the other site, but only because I could not find this one right away. I used to visit quite a bit a few years back when I first picked up my 1000. It is a true story, I am not making this up. I did not pick up the bike with my Uncle, so I did not hear anything first hand. The lady that sold it to him said her husband had owned a dealership in Tooele, UT and that he had bought it through his dealership. I do not even know if there was ever a Kawasaki dealership in Tooele. It does have 22 miles on the odometer and was covered in dust, I think it was in a shed behind her house. It does have some corrosion starting on some of the crankcase covers and there is some light pitting on the grab bar. Fork seals are leaking, but the tires are holding air and I don't see any big cracks. Seat looks good, lenses are all clear. The tank is clean, but those carbs have to be gummed a little at least. I did not get any photos today, our shop is getting really busy right now, but I will get plenty of photos tomorrow. The bike is complete and set up now with standard headlight and signals, but also has a brand new Kawasaki fairing in the same color as the bike that has never been installed. I do not know as many specifics as I should on these bikes, like correct tires, but I will try to photograph everything. The one thing I did think was different was a white sticker over the headlight that says 202 or something similar. If any of you will tell me any specific things to look for I will do it. I don't want to start any "Barn" stories, I really just wanted some opinions on the best way to sell it to another Kawasaki fan"atic". Fix it and sell it, or just sell it and let that person decide the best route from there. Thanks.

Well, you know what I think.
But I am really excited to see the pics. And I don't know what fairing Kawasaki made in '82 for those bikes (not like I know it all...just curious); please show photos of that, also.
To my knowledge there really isn't anything to "look for" on the Js...maybe somebody else does.

Post pics Steve; you've got a lot of people setting in front of their computers salivating.

-KR

The Gringo wrote:

Bad Kaw where have you been? That same post was put on here last night. kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...=13&id=203847#203957

I'll bet you were busy looking for KZ650's.:laugh: I'm looking forward to seeing the pics of this find. Good thing for me it's too far away.

Sorry Gringo!!!
I still haven't recovered from my flu/pneumonia and I haven't finished grading my mid-terms...everybody needs to forgive me...or give me a KZ650!

Sorry Bad Kaw. I posted photos this morning in a new thread. Here is a link:

s286.photobucket.com/albums/ll82/kawisteve/82%20KZ1000/

I did not include any photos of the Fairing though. It is a Vetter, but does say Kawasaki by Vetter. Here is a photo. It is the same color as the bike.