Purchasing 1980 Kz750 LTD Twin Need Advice

Hello,

I'm looking into purchasing a 1980 Kawasaki Kz750 LTD Twin from a private seller close to where I live. I've never purchased any vehicle from someone off of Craigslist and was wondering what are "check list" type things I need to look into when I see the bike? What are some of your thoughts on the condition of this bike?

Info on the bike from the ad: I'll provide pictures as well.

"PRETTY ORIGIMAL BIKE WITH CLEAN NEVADA TITLE

RUNS REALLY GOOD
NEW REAR TIRE

READY FOR SUMMER

CASH DEALS IN PERSON ONLY"

30,000 miles

Clean title.

$1,400

Vehicles of any sort, If the owner has looked after the outside as well as this one has been then he probably looked after the inside as well. If you like the LTD style I'd jump on this for $1400. Beware however that the purchase price of these vintage bikes is only the start. Making it yours and keeping it looking good is gonna make $1400 look cheap in 5 years.

Thanks for the quick response "Bowman"

Yes I definitely agree. This bike looks very clean I just wanted to get another opinion cause it kinda looked too good to be true for the asking price.

I'm curious as I've tried to research the difference of the kz750 and the kz750 LTD's. From what I can gather the wheels are different sizing?

My dad back in the day used to have this type of bike i think his was a 78. Not sure if it was a 4 cylinder or the twin but I would love to have a bike like he had and add my own flare to it.

Is there anything in particular I should be checking for when I go see it?

If your Dads bike was a 76-79 750 then it was definatlely a twin. In 80 (I think) they did a big style change to the LTD look but they are basically mechanically the same machines. Pretty sure when they went to alloy wheels for the LTDs they made them smaller too as was the style at the time. Some time around 1980 they also made a 4 cyl 750 for a few years.

The one thing I would ask is when the last time the valves were adjusted. If he says "whats valve adjustment?" or looks vacant then give it a side eye but even then at 30k miles its probably fine.

Adventure_Boy wrote:
... This bike looks very clean I just wanted to get another opinion cause it kinda looked too good to be true for the asking price.....

It's an old motorcycle, so it may be overdue for periodic maintenance. old brake parts can fail. rebuilding the front & rear brakes can be in the $200 range total.

The 1980 Ltd is similar to the earlier B models, but it has cast alloy wheels & rear drum brake. plus a little more chrome such as the chain guard & other minor differences. The 750 Twin engine is pretty much the same through the entire model run. 76 thru 84.

....

I have a 1978 750 twin and there are a few things to look at. Check the electric starter, does it work and is it quiet. There was a problem with the starter clutch on some of them. Carb parts can be hard to find. The carbs on my 78 are very different than other Mikuni carbs that Kawasaki used back then. The rubber intake boots can be hard to find and the intake manifolds between the head and carb are no longer available from Kawasaki. You will need to find those parts on e-bay or the web. Other than that if it's as nice as it looks buy it and have some fun!