Possibly getting a KZ1000

Howdy folks,

For the past year I've rode a 1979 VW trike. Decided while working on the valve train to build it up to an 1835. Of course I then lost my job. *grin* My timing has always been good.

Trike was put up for sale recently. Long story short I've found a gent willing to trade a KZ1000 for the trike. I'm looking for general info, good points, bad points, mpg, etc on these bikes.

At this time I'm not even sure what year the bike is. I "think" I remember a shaft drive but can't swear to it as over the past few days I have looked at 20 or so bikes at least. Has a fairing and rattle can paint job. The paint does not bother me, the fairing does but that is easily solved.

So would a KZ1000 in good mechanical shape good for short trips, cross country trips, highway, gravel roads, heavy traffic and high speed blasting?

Thanks for any help.

Sarge

I have always wanted a trike. The KZ is very dependable as long as it is maintained. If its in good condition it would probably be a good trade. Now if I could trade my GS1100 for a trike I would be set.

just about 15 thousand people on this forum would say hell ya. excellent all round bike the engine is the small block chev of motorcycles in that their is an absolute variety of parts available for any purpose long distance riding, short hops, going fast, just crusing, what you want to do it will gladly go along with you ive been riding these awesome motorcycles for over twenty years now and i can say truthfully that i have ridden every type model and makeover that same period of time and none have triggered anything in me like these big bad kawi's have i'm a professional motorcycle mechanic and when the season is on i'll ride 5 or ten different bikes in a day i could be riding any bike i want but i always go back to my kz's. hope you make the right choice and join us nut cases. welcome

Long Story Short, KZ'S ARE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

I dont know much about trike's, but i think you will be very happy with the kawi.

Welcome to the insane life of KZ owner....

These are 30 year old bikes so you will most probably need to throw some time (wrenching) and some $$$ into her to put her back to top shape (maybe already done)...

It's not like a newer bike where you can just beat the hell out of her for years to come, she does deserve and require some minor maintenance... Actually all vehicles do right...

Then there's this, think about it for a second, a 30 year old bike that once repaired & tweaked to dialed in perfection, isn't that much slower than the bike technology of today's standards...

Meaning the old girl still kicks some major ass.... :ohmy:

But the best part about her you're going to find is this... Don't care what type of rider, Sport, MX, Cruiser, Extreme etc... Someone will walk up (HD owner) and go Holly crapola, a KZ! I loved those bikes back in the 70's... Tell me about her...

How much better can it get than that!

OMR

Ok, so I looked today. There are actually two of them. One is a 1998 and chain driven. Not sure what bike I looked at that was shaft. Sweet ride! Well sort of too tall for me but should be an easy fix.

5'10" but have a longer upper body so I would be tip toeing for now. I figure I can drop the front some and use shorter shocks to lower the rear. Full fairing (gotta go) and hard bags.

The other is a 1996 and needs some work. Clutch and a rear tire. Will most likely end up with this one as my trike still needs some work also. Can't wait to ride again!

Loved the power of that sucker tho!! Feels like enough grunt to even trike it and still be good.

Sarge

Post a picture of the Trike. Then we will be able to give you better advice....Russ

VSarge wrote:

Ok, so I looked today. There are actually two of them. One is a 1998 and chain driven. Not sure what bike I looked at that was shaft. Sweet ride! Well sort of too tall for me but should be an easy fix.

5'10" but have a longer upper body so I would be tip toeing for now. I figure I can drop the front some and use shorter shocks to lower the rear. Full fairing (gotta go) and hard bags.

The other is a 1996 and needs some work. Clutch and a rear tire. Will most likely end up with this one as my trike still needs some work also. Can't wait to ride again!

Loved the power of that sucker tho!! Feels like enough grunt to even trike it and still be good.

Sarge

Can you post pics of the bikes? They seem to be police bikes from the years of manufacture, that would also explain the fairing and the hard bags. Either way they are still KZ's and kick ass. Like Old Man Rock said with a little maintenance you will have a very dependable and fun bikeB)

Hmmm, reminds me of things I spaced mentioning. Both are cop bikes from California. Actually came complete with lights and such. He removed them to be legal. One is rattled matte deep blue and the other matte red (almost rust). No pictures, spaced it.

Picture of the trike hopefully will show.

Sarge

Well the trade fell thru. Gent who was looking for the few parts he needed found him a better deal.

Now have a gent wishing to trade a 1985 1000 Virago for it but I'm not really sure about that one due to peg position.

Did find a 1983 Kawasaki LTD 1100 shaft local I like the looks of. Would have to sell the trike first tho.

Sarge

stlouis.craigslist.org/mcy/1132163574.html

1983 Kawasaki Ltd. Excellent condition. Adult driven 8900 miles. Completely stock with no modificaions. New windshield and newer tires.
No trades. Cash only.

Kind of funky, more Kawi's listed locally than most other brands.

Sarge