KZ1000 needs work - worth it?

Hi all,

I bought an 82 KZ1000 LTD from a neighbor I trusted. Seems the deeper I look, the more work I discover. Not looking to start a full diagnostic thread, just need some objective advice as I'm not very mechanically inclined.

The odometer says 13k.
Been sitting about two years.
Carbs leak fuel when sitting.
Hoses are in terrible shape.
Rotors have a lot of grooves in em.
Handlebar is slightly bent.
Wiring harness looks like an 8-yr old took it apart and tried to put it back together.
Battery's held in with zip ties and is in terrible shape.
The battery vent hose is missing and there's sulfer looking residue from there back.
Home done paint job peeling all over the place.
The lock and housing that holds the seat down is missing.
Leaking oil from the head and looks like from the exhaust.
At least one of the head bolts is stripped and spins freely.
No air in either of the forks and it won't hold any.
Oily residue on the forks.
Side covers are missing.
Runs really rough, sounds like it's missing at lower rpms.

My list of stuff to buy an do is quickly adding up to more than I paid, and I fear I may have only scratched the surface.

Any advice? (Other than being more careful next time.)
Think I may pay to have it hauled (no truck) to a mechanic to evaluate, but thought maybe you guys would know if the value here would justify the expense of fixing it up.

Thanks in advance,

Brandon

Well, Brandon, unless you got an incredible deal, your trustworthy neighbor has saddled you with a fairly large potential debt. Let's start this interaction with: what, pray tell, did you pay for this bike?

It was $1100. I was too impulsive and probably a little gulible, but there's no question of returning it. My choices are pretty much make it work or sell it and get something else.

There is no doubt that your neighbor is grinning. That being said the only thing here that really worries me is the head bolt. But you say she's leaking and the head will have to come off anyway. By the time you finish with her you will be giving advice back on here. It sounds like every system on the bike will need some attention. You did not mention the exhaust, brakes or the tires. You will be dumping some money into the thing for sure but if time is not against and you you can take on the bad stuff one by one yourself when it is over you should know the bike inside and out. Ya might want to inspect the frame and do a compression/leak down test on her before deciding upon a plan. In other words. Sounds do-able but so was retrieving the golden fleece! But then again Jason did not have KZR backing him up!

but thought maybe you guys would know if the value here would justify the expense of fixing it up.

If you are talking monetary value, then the answer is an emphatic "NO".

81-82 1000 CSR and LTD models sell fairly cheap on eBay, a friend has an 82 1000 LTD in good condition with 7k miles that runs well that he was trying to sell to me for $1000, I told him no thanks, but if he held on to it for awhile he might be able to get $1500 from someone.

If you like the bike and want to fix it up for yourself, then go for it, but don't expect to sell it for anywhere near what you'll have into it.


My $0.50 worth (price increased due to inflation caused by higher energy prices)

I would say you got hit in the chin.
Look on the bright side you didn't get kicked in the ----

Sounds like it's a do able project. You just wont make
quite as much as you might have hoped on the resale.

There are lots of GOOD used parts out there.
With a little customizing you will do OK.
Plus, look at all the cool stuff you will learn for the next
project.

One more thing.
If you take it to have the work dun you will never
get your money out of it. Do it your self.
From what you listed the head work will be the
most costly. the rest is a couple or hundred bucks.

XENU

Thanks guys. Yeah, I wasn't looking to make any money off it and don't mind learning a little in order to get a great ride. But it seems like I'm going to spend at least another grand or so and tons of time and energy learning and working on it.

I just wanna go ride, ya know?

Anyway, that's what I meant by was it worth it. Think I'm gonna just eat the loss and go get something I can actually ride.

Thanks again,

Brandon

I just finished putting an 82 KZ1000 LTD back on the road. (Sounds like mine was in slightly better shape but had 29,000 on the clock)

The members on this board are a really great group and will answer any question you may encounter (and I suggest you do as I did and spend hours at the computer reading the archives)

I did not acquire the bike with the intent of repair and sale. But like the rest of the KZ addicts, I started looking and saying, "Well that wouldn't be hard to fix..."

Now I can honestly say that I put this bike back on the road myself. I did all the work (with much advise from here) with the exception of mounting the tires.

I will tell you nothing feels better than that first ride when you feel that power underneath you and you know it's yours and she's got some of your blood and skin in her and you have some of her grease and oil in you. :laugh:

I say fix her up, ride the hell out of her. You will love the feeling of accomplishment it will give you.




PS: Once you have her running great, take her over to your neighbors and do a few donuts on his lawn to show her how nice she now runs... :woohoo:

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quote

PS: Once you have her running great, take her over to your neighbors and do a few donuts on his lawn to show her how nice she now runs...

OOOOH I like that one.......

Heh, if I wanted to get him back, I would just park in his driveway - it's right next to mine - oil, gas, and battery acid dripping all over.

Anyway, thanks all for the feedback. Think I'll take some pics and list it as a project bike for someone with time and money (and talent). If the next bike is a KZ, I'll be back.