scrap yard 79 KZ1000

i just bought this bike for $125.00. they are holding it for me until i get my truck out of the shop. it's in surprisingly good shape and the tank has not ONE dent. that's a miracle because the bike had fallen over on another 550 Kawasaki. i have not looked at this bike in detail yet but the valve cover is off the bike and i wanted to just get it back on to keep dirt out but the clearances are really tight. what's the trick?

when i get this bike home, i'm going to get it running. if i can get a title for it, i will ride it and sell the superglide.

Is this a dry climate you found the bike? And it has been sitting with the valve cover off? Is it possible that the jugs and crankcase are full of water? If the pipes (they are stock, BTW) aren't too badly rusted and clean up nicely, the pipes alone could be worth $200-$400.

Dragsta, you may need to pull the carbs, and remove the tank. Also, it's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like it has those chrome fin covers on the side of the cylinders. I'm not sure, but if those are on there, then you may need to pull them as well. Once the carbs are out of the way, then you should be able to slip it in from the back side of the motor (where the carbs would be) and then over the cam chain rollers at the top.

Actually, I'd be curious what that bike is (based on the frame and motor VIN)...there has been considerable mix-and-matching of parts.

from what I am seeing its a LTD, either way dosent look too bad

SCORE sometimes ya just get lucky
send American pickers a email and show em how its really done

stonemaster wrote:

SCORE sometimes ya just get lucky
send American pickers a email and show em how its really done

Is this suposed to be a joke..really not funny

Mcdroid wrote:

Actually, I'd be curious what that bike is (based on the frame and motor VIN)...there has been considerable mix-and-matching of parts.

I agree about the mix and match of parts. It has 78 Z1R wheels, a Police gas thank, MKII exhaust, 77/78 "A" model tail piece, fender and shocks. It will be interesting to see what it started out as, by the frame and engine #s.

mcdroid: from the looks of it, it has been stored in a garage somewhere.

testarossa: thanks for that info. when i get it home, i'll remove the carbs, pour oil over the top of the motor and look at it closely to see if i can get it running. i've fixed a lot of "junked" bikes before and this one looks like a piece of cake. going to call the dmv tomorrow with the plate number and see what can be done about a title. also need a key....

mcdroid: maybe it is mix-n-match. i won't know until i get it home.

stonemaster: i recently bought two harley sprints from the same scrap metal yard. paid $160 for both and sold them as-is for $1K. a while back i found a maico 450 engine. bought it for .40/lb, sold for $450. i could go on....

otakar: here's the vin# you guys tell me. i'm pretty much a harley guy but love all bikes.

What is the date of manufacture on that tag? Also do it say in the lower corner of that tag "Made in USA" Or "Made in Japan"? If it is Made in USA than it is a 1978 KZ1000A2 if it is Made in Japan than it would be a 1980 KZ1000-A4 But looking at your right side engine covers, It looks like the former.

Why are old Kawasakis like a bride's wedding outfit? Something old,something new,something borrowed,something blue-the blue part being the owner when he/she looks in their wallet.bj

78 ltd 1000

with a kz tank and MKII front and rear ends?????