Picke up a '78 KZ 1000

Picked one up today. Many thanks to the guys on this forum who clued me into the differences between the models and years.

the bike has been lowered by lowering links if you move the shocks back to the stock position it may get some of your ride quality back it will allow the shocks to work in a more linaer fashion.

Nice lookin bike Speed

Nice score. You are now a member of the KZ Nation. You will never forget this bike for the rest of your life. That bike will get more attention than the brand new harley that you are parked next to at the local bike night. Treat her good and she will run forever. Once again nice score

Thank you for pointing that out (the lowering links).

Kawickrice wrote:

Nice score. You are now a member of the KZ Nation. You will never forget this bike for the rest of your life. That bike will get more attention than the brand new harley that you are parked next to at the local bike night. Treat her good and she will run forever. Once again nice score

I enjoyed riding it home. My '08 FXDL is already jealous.

nice!!is that paint as nice as it looks in the pictures?

u wish u could ride wrote:

nice!!is that paint as nice as it looks in the pictures?

Yes, The paint is in very good condition. The paint of the frame is too.

kawickrice is right about the attention...lots of talk about my KZ wherever I go, yet even though I think my H-D is super fine, it doesn't get nearly the attention the KZ does...way too many H-Ds out there...unlike the 70s

Looks like a beauty, what are your plans for it.

Mark

Mark Wing wrote:

Looks like a beauty, what are your plans for it.

Mark

Mark,

That's a good question. I just finished a full restore of a 1978 Yam RD400. Repainetd the frame and all of the black components such as the calipers, footpeg brackets, kick and center stand, triple clamps.... Also repainted the fuel tank (Spider cracks in the clear coat) and cowling around the seat. Rebuilt the top end of the motor and carbs. Replaced the gaskets, seals and reeds. New chain and sprockets, re-did the seat....On and on. Every thing is to original spec. The last part is powder coating the engine cases. That should be done in about a week. The bike runs perfect.

I'm in the middle doing a similar restore to a 1975 Suzuki TS 185. Both of these bikes were my dad's.

The KZ I picked up today is in very good condition. I think that I'll probably ride it around the rest of the summer, do some more research and then pull it all apart in the winter. The first thing I need to get is a shop manual. These have come in handy on the RD 400 and TS 185 restores. I think I'll paint the frame and all of the black components. Touch up the tank where the seat rubbed a little and polish the motor. Maybe a different seat and rear shocks. Check the bushings, seals and gaskets. The brakes and front forks are perfect. It's got a new chain and sprockets. The bike is pretty much mint now.

Any ideas from you guys would be welcome.

Mark

Sounds like a good plan and a Kawasaki manual is a must. Post some pix of the RD and the TS, we like all bikes.

Mark