Z1000R 1983. Worth saving?

Hi KZ Riders

I live in South Africa and just need to know if it is worth trying to rebuild or restore a KZ1000R 1983 model. I am not sure if this was the Eddie Lawason replica or not. I am quite new to the Z1000 bikes so I have limited knowledge on them. The bike seems to have been caught in a fire. I will attemt to post photos of the bike with vin numbers. I will appreciate any information regarding this motorcycle, I can get the bike for around $1100.00.

Regards

All VINs, starting from 1980 have 17 digits/letters

Here's some info you may find helpful....

This link shows that the 1982 KZ1000-R1 and the 1983 KZ1000-R2 were both Eddie Lawson Replica models:
www.powersportswarehouse.com/p/Kawasaki#/s/KUS/kz1000-r//1

This link is to a site that is specifically dedicated to the Eddie Lawson Replica bikes:
www.kz1000r.com

Folks at the second link should be able to give a pretty accurate estimate as to the value of the bike in question.
Ed

per www.zedder.com ---

Year & Model '82 KZ1000-R1:Replica (USA only)
VIN Range JKAKZCR1vCA000001 - 001100
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE031001 - 039300

Year & Model '83 KZ1000-R2:Replica
VIN Range JKAKZCR1vDA001101 - ?
Engine No. Range KZTOOJE039301 - ?

Good Fortune!

Doc Vakansie wrote: Hi KZ Riders

I live in South Africa and just need to know if it is worth trying to rebuild or restore a KZ1000R 1983 model. I am not sure if this was the Eddie Lawason replica or not. I am quite new to the Z1000 bikes so I have limited knowledge on them. The bike seems to have been caught in a fire. I will attemt to post photos of the bike with vin numbers. I will appreciate any information regarding this motorcycle, I can get the bike for around $1100.00.

Regards

Kinda steep but is it worth it to you? Who cares what others think. They won't be riding and enjoying it. You will. There are some that just like to bark. Better pics?
Steve

Hi
Yes I do think it is a bit steep, but it just seems to be the right thing to do. I think it is a realy cool motorcycle. I will post more pics in the morrow. Lots and lots of work!

I think that's a fair price for you. Understand you'll spend thousands more if you're going to restore it.

If you can, check the plugs. They're like a thermometer telling you a lot about the engine. My bike sat under a tree 15 years waiting for me to get to her. Had I thought about it, I would have put a little oil in the cylinders before I started it up those many times. That cost me $500 in new pistons. Most of the work was elbow grease and paint. By the time I had money for parts, it was a pleasure working on a clean bike. New bearings front to rear etc and by the time she was registered, she was rock solid and ready for me to "RIDE THE PISS OUT OF IT." :woohoo: I'm always adding something to her. The more I put in, the more she gives back. Have fun.
Steve

$1100 is not steep at all for a real ELR, just make sure it's a real ELR, I would pay that just for an empty frame if it's the real deal. Complete ones sell for crazy money here in the states. Restored ones go for about $20,000 +. An easy and quick check to see if it's a real ELR is to take a look at the rear rim. It should be an 18X2.50, the standard size for KZ1000 is 18x2.15. Kawasaki used the 18x2.50 on the ELR's and Police bikes. Now that doesn't mean someone didn't swap out the rims but usually it's a good indicator. I hope for you it's the real deal.
I turned this

Into this

Just takes a lot of patience, time, elbow grease and ingenuity.

Hi baldy110

Yes I have confirmed that this is the ELR 1983. The vin number is a South African model vin. I do think Im going to take the bike and start stripping and cleaning, hopefully I can still find parts for the bike here in South Africa. You have a really nice bike there. (Worst come to worst I can always send it to the States!

Hi Steve

Thanks for the advice, I hope I can do this bike justice like you have done with yours, it looks great.

Regards

Kapahulu

It certainly will cost thousands more on the restoration, that is if I can find spares here in South Africa. But I will give it a go and see.