Thursday was terrible... Today is fantastic!

For those of you that remember, it's been more than two years since I made my biggest KZ mistake ever. I had the opportunity to buy a 1980 Z1000 H. This one:


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...

That's looking petty decent to start. Good job for sure. Good price it seems to me.

awsome....way cool bikes both of em.....i like the red one best though....nice lines.....craig.....thanks for having the site up

nice looking bike .
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:

Good Deal Stein!

Now Let me tell you about this website that can really help you out!:laugh: :woohoo: :laugh:


Bill

Great deal Stein!!!! I'd love to stumble across a MKII. Congratulations!!!

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.

good score....!!!!

i missed one of those my self about ten years ago and i thought at the time another one will come along anytime now well ten years later i still haven't found one you snooze you lose, good score.

Good score, Stein.

Looks sharp. I think you'll be quite happy.

Nice score on the MK2. Your going to like it.

arai59 wrote:

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