Thursday was terrible... Today is fantastic!
- kzrider
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Money was tight, and I needed to sell the '81 1000 LTD if I was to buy the Fuelie. Tough decicion! I finally made up my mind and called the seller (somewhere down in south Sweden) to say I'd come look at it and probably buy it. Stupid thing was that he had went away on vacation, and would not be back for a week. I was leaving in two days for vacation as well, and that's when I made the decicion to let it go. Stupid! Stupid!! Stupid!!!
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. I spotted an ad for a 1980 Z1000 MkII. Original paint, decent condition, and even came with the original exhaust if wanted. So I did some thinking, remembered how much I regretted never buying the H, and after a few days I decided I would not let this opportunity slip away. This bike was also located in Sweden. It's nearly impossible to find these bikes in Norway, as I believe only the ST was introduced over here. Never seen an MkII or H (FI). So I called the owner, and talked to him for nearly an hour asking all kinds of questions and chatting about bikes in general. After talking to the guy, the deal seemed even better.
Like two years ago, I couldn't afford to buy another bike without letting one of the now two others I owned. So the LTD had to go (I've put way to much work into the twin over the past year to let it go now). Put the ad in on wednesday night, and people started calling on thursday. To make an incredibly long story a little bit shorter: A guy came and looked at it on thursday night. One and a half hours later I had sold the bike I've owned for 9 years. It was hard to watch the new owner ride away . Here's the last picture I ever took of it:
Today I went to Sweden.
Three hour drive. So many thoughts and questions went through my head while driving the 200 kilometers. I never should've sold the LTD! I can't wait to see the MkII! What if it's not it the shape I thought it would be? Why the hell do I need to drive all the way to Sweden to find a decent bike? :laugh:
Finally there! First impression: Great! Looks just as good in person as in the pics. That is, it's not great looking. But for a 29 year old bike, I found it in beter condition than I feared. Original paint (they came in the luminous red variant in '80 too in Europe, I believe), but quite faded and some nicks and scratches here and there. The original exhaust, that would be included with the bike, was actually not that bad. It had a Marving 4-1 exhaust on it. Electrical system seemed to be in good order and pretty much free from "previous owners' hacks". Leaking from valve cover and probably also needs new head and base gasket, but apart from that it looked allright. And from what I can tell - very close to stock.
So I took it for a testride. The owner already told me about the bike being stored (improperly) for six years. The carbs were a bit gummed up and the carb holders were badly cracked. It didn't run very good, as expected. Especially at low rpm. At WOT it pulled very strong and it rode really well. New brakes, new tires, good fork and shocks. Bearings seemed good.
The guy wanted 19,500 swedish kroner for it ($2,300). After a bit of negotiating we settled on 16,000 ($1,900). I had bought myself a 1980 Z1000 MkII! Life was good, and I instantly forgot all about selling the LTD I think both the seller and I made an ok deal.
Here's a couple of pictures (the only two I got to shoot before the camera's battery died). More pics will find their way to a project thread once the initial :woohoo: settles...
1976 Z750 B1
1980 Z1000 MkII A4
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- trianglelaguna
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- New and improved - extra strength
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1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
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- kawsakiman
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what are your plans for her?
stock rebuild? mildly warmed over?
you got a good deal . i can't find a MKII here for under $3,000.
i feel for you though. it's hard to let one of your bikes go.
i sold one of my first ones years ago and miss her to this day.
maybe it's just fond feelings for her but she was one of the best bikes i ever owned.
learned a lot about repair from that little girl.
well congrats on your new ride!
i have a feeling a few members here can help you with any needed parts. :lol:
someday i will be able to afford my kz habit.
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- KZQ
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- Walking Behind the Corn May Not Be All That!
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Now Let me tell you about this website that can really help you out!:laugh: :woohoo: :laugh:
Bill
www.KZ1300.com
Riders:
1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star, 1970 BSA 650 Lightning, 1974 W3, 1976 KZ900, 1979 KZ750 Twin, 1979 KZ750 Twin Trike, 1981 KZ1300, 1982 KZ1100 Spectre, 2000 Valkyrie, 2009 Yamaha Roadliner S. 1983 GL 1100
Projects:
1985 ZN1300
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- Mcdroid
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- Gone Kwackers
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Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- arai59
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- keith1
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- timebomb33
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1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE
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- N0NB
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- Blue handles better
Looks sharp. I think you'll be quite happy.
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel )
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- Tony
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- trianglelaguna
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- New and improved - extra strength
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Nice score there skipper. The mk11 is a fun bike to ride. Is that a black front fender ? And do you have the plastic rear fender for it ? Looks great........may I suggest a set of superbike bars will be perfect for it.
kissy kiss....greg
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
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