Tell me I did good!

Last month I decided to buy a bike to flip. Timing was right, extra cash in hand and the right bike surfaced, but was only on Craigs list for a few hours. I happened to email the owner at just the right time. Long story short, I bought a 1983 GS 1100 L-model, all stock, nice shape with 20,500 miles for $650. All I had to do was wash the dust off, hit it with some Mothers, and put a price tag on it. IK had quite a few offers from $1,000 to $1,200. I was hoping for $1,500 but was going to let it go for $1,200.

The more I rode the bike the more I didn't enjoy it! It's nice having something bigger than the two 650's so Abbie is more comfortable riding along. This got me to scheming..........

A long time friend of mine has THREE (yes, that's 3) KZ1300s. He bought the first one new in the crate in 1979 when he was a Kawasaki dealership mechanic in Dayton Ohio. He assembled it at work and has been the ONLY person to wrench on it. With 126,000 miles, the cam chain went bad.

Another friend, (very close friend of friend #1) also bought one in the crate (I think) in 1979. Twin KZ1300 Touring bikes! Bike #2 ended up with friend #1 in probably the late 80's The title was never transfered, so it is still legally a one owner machine.

Well, I couldn't take it anymore! I fell in love with the 1300 in 79 when I was a kid and have always wanted one........ and he has three! I asked him if there was any chance he would consider trading the GS for a 1300.

HE SAID YES! Can you believe it! I still can't. I told him that I just turned 40 and I'm tired of having something that's "close enough" to what I want. He agreed that since he has about 6-8 complete bikes and probably 10 more in projects (including a 75 Z1 AND a new, never fired 1973 Z1 engine) he could spare 1/3 of his 1300 collection to a friend.

How do I know it's meant to be????? He now lives in Tennessee and I still live in Ohio. I was trying to figure out the easiest way to get the bikes to there destination. As luck has it, friend #2 (the original owner of the 1300 I'm getting) is taking his new bike down for a visit and to ride the Tail Of The Dragon with friend #1 this weekend. He happens to have room for one more bike in his enclosed trailer. IT'S A MESSAGE FROM A HIGHER POWER!

Maybe I'm too excited. I can't help it! I've wanted one of these since I was about five and now it's going to happen AND it's a bike that I've know for almost all of it's life........ AND IT'S A KZ1300!!!!!!!

I had to post it here because I needed some people who would understand my enthusiasm.

Congrats. Wish I had friends like that.

My gift to you.
www.kz1300.com/

Awesome gift! Thanks.

And yes,Moneypit, friends like this are priceless!

Thats Awesome, dont you just love it when a plan falls together! QUICK STORY, my son had a FZ750 that wouldnt start he traded it for a running FZ600 a few yrs newer. He had been riding it but due to a gun shot injury in his back he just cant do it, He like my bike I said NO WAY, but I did find a Yamaha Intruder that I felt like would work for him and his GF. Now here's the CAKE! I found a guy that just had to have the 600 you know all the LED lights and stuff so he offered a Honda Car and 800.00 bucks. Needless to say i got the yamaha for 800.00 bucks and now he's got a Car and a bike. I've done some trades but geez. After all I traded a New yamaha Venture motor I was going to use in my old Venture for the KZ I now ride. Like everyone else Bike Poor around here.... Im proud for ya though.. John.

ya did good

My sorely missed 750 turbo came to me from another wrench at that same dealership...(North Dixie Drive?) Those 1300's are beasts! I would say you did very well! Ride safely!

North Dixie, Was it from S&S? These two came from Vista in Kettering.
I'd like to try a 750 Turbo! This guy with the 1300 fixed one that was purchased from an insurance company AFTER the PO was killed on it. He topped a hill too fast, went airborne and a tree jumped out in front of him. The new owner wanted it fixed....... and faster. I didn't work on it but I remember after the waste gate was "fixed" I think it was pumping 17 pounds of boost. DEADLY became MORE DEADLY!

peter1958 wrote: ya did good

I think so too!

It was F&S on dixie....(No longer Kaws there...all HD now) Yup, my 750 turbo was the scariest thing I've ever wrapped my legs around..(Ex-wife excluded!) The original owner "blueprinted" the turbo, did a lot miscelaneous tweaking to her...that puppy would pass anything but a gas station....I miss that "whoosh" sensation....I can't imagine that a bike wrecked in that spectacular of a manner would be rebuildable...they can be widowmakers!

Wow, nice story Melvis, & nice bike !!
Hope you don't wake up & realize it was all just a dream,
I hope It's your dream ,come true, :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR NEW, RARE BEAUTY !!
Pete

Well, good luck man. Those bikes were awesome back I'm the day and today they are rare and still awesome. Enjoy her for me will.ya.