top end

can someone tell me the going rate to get top end on 1977 kz1000a motor to be rebuilt, with all new parts. nothing to increase speed just new parts. need to have it done and just want to see if guy is quoting me good rate.

You need to be more specific... what is a top end rebuild?

pistons/rings/circlips $350
bore cylinder $200
gasket set $100
cam chain and all tensioner bits $200
valve job/valve guides/clean/re-use valves $200

Parts and machine shop work should be just over $1000... this is a few days work so I would expect another couple hundred bucks... Perhaps $1500?

If you can find someone to do it for less, start looking CLOSELY at what parts were omitted. A good shop would also install new seals, external shift mechanism springs and new case bolts, etc. at the same time.

that sounds about right to me,id also check cam chain and oil pump since you are going to that much trouble just a few more bolts to drop pan.

If the head/pistons/jugs aren't thrashed, you can actually 'freshen' it yourself (including the few special tools) for considerably less than the estimated US$1500...this assumes that you merely lap the valves (no 3 angle valve job), hone cylinders, and replace rings (not pistons/clips/rings)...

i was 19 when i built my bike, granted i have yet to pull the bottom end apart, but i did throw it togeather with a big bore kit, my total from the machine shop came to 530$ for the sleve, bore, hone, ring install, ground valve seats, blasted head, seals installed and springs put in the head and all the mesuring inbetween.

i'v got another 1400$ between the pistons seals and other stuff.