KZ1000. How long will they run?

I'm planning on going to buy a 1979 KZ1000. I think it's an LTD. It's a shaft driven model if that means anything... It's a fixer-upper, but I'm quite a tinkerer and always look forward to a good bike project. I am very mechanicaly inclined, and I have a good bit of experience with street motorcycles, Unfortunately, I don't know how reliable the engine in a KZ1000 with 60,000 miles on it will be. The current owner installed new pistons, rings, and wrist pins and had the head re-worked about 10,000 miles ago. Is this an adequate rebuild? or am I going to have to worry about crank bearings? I am a pretty "spirited" rider and I'll be driving about 50 miles to work when I'm able. Do y'all think this would be a trustworthy bike?

Pic:
It looks like crap in the picture because the guy didn't install the seat cover right. But that's ok, because I'm gonna cut a new seat anyway. Heh, and it certainly helps to have family that are in the upholstery buisness :side:

Gah. I can't get the blasted pic to load... I'm trying!!!

Post edited by: hat0791, at: 2005/10/24 15:09

Post edited by: hat0791, at: 2005/10/24 15:11

There. I put it in my profile pic.
Does that count?

This engine was way, way, way overbuilt so I wouldn't worry about it. Did the '79 still have a roller-bearing crank or plain-bearings? Either way it's as bullet-proof as a motorcyle engine could be. With everything else that's been done to it, I would just ride it and enjoy it. Change the oil and plugs as needed and you should be fine. I don't know if the drive shaft splines at the rear wheel need as much lubricating as those on the GS Suzukis, though.

If it's a shaft, it's not a LTD.
Anyway, I know a guy that has over 100,000 miles on his 1978 1000 Kawasaki. He's only replaced the cam chain & gears & done three valve jobs.
So taken care of they will run a long time!

I have seen several bikes (Z1s...which is the same fundamental engine) with between 90,000 and 100,000 miles on them (and they were in a shop for routine maintenance, not any problems). There are a number of guys on this forum with high mileage bikes and no major problems. You have the correct bike for what you want to do (no worries about chains and sprockets!).

I have a friend with a KZ1300 with over 130,000 miles that finnaly needs a cam chain. No other known problems and he bought it new.

My 1979 KZ1000MK2 has over 80,000 on it. Last trip I took when I left home had 68,000 on it, when I got home 13 days later had 79,000 on it. 10,600 in 13 days, not a hiccup out of it. Unfortunately this was 14 yrs ago and I've only covered about 500 miles since on this one, but I just love the looks of the 79-80 MK2 and shaft. They do still have the roller bearing crank on these years and the engine was the strongest ever. The only trouble with the shaft drive model, is most every part while looking the same as other models is unique to the shaft model. Parts availability is very poor. The engine should be no problem, the rest of the parts can be rough to get.

Hat,
Is your seat cover on backwards?
Daniel

dgfischer wrote:

Hat,
Is your seat cover on backwards?
Daniel

That is a distinct possibility. but I haven't had a chance to really pick it over. I went and bought it from the guy last night. (got home at 1:00am...) It's REALLY nice. There isn't a scratch on the whole bike, the chrome is in great shape, and the paint isn't faded. there's no rust and it runs beautifully. (Jetting's a little rich, but I'm gonna clean the air filters before I mess with that) It's a light red color with thin dark red flames (beautiful basecoat/clearcoat job)

He put the seat cover on recently and said in never fit right and since he bought a new bike he just never tried to get it right. I'll probaby take it off, make sure it's pointed the right direction, then warm it up with a heat gun and try to get the thing to lay down before I permanantly attatch it. That seat is going to go bye bye as soon as I can find one like the ones they put on the Eddie Lawson replicas though. Any tips on where to find one in that style? I don't really go for the "king/queen" or the "Butt Cupper" style. I'd like somthing I can scoot around on. And somthing that would carry the lines of the bike. The Corbins are kindanice, but they're kinda pricey, but if worse comes to worse...

I'll post pics as soon as I get a few so you guys can see the beast! (BTW, he put flat-toppers in when he did the top end, so it's running 10.2 compression. What kinda horsepower would that make with the pipe, re-jet and the individual air filters? Stock is 92Hp)
Thanks for all of y'alls help so far! You guys are AWESOME!

I would not trust that bikes cam chain gears. The 3 gears need to be checked and replaced or u WILL have trouble and that is a given fact from me to u. These gears are the only weakness in the motor and the insides break loose from the outsides over time. Ive seen the idler gears from a 60,000 bike and they're not pretty.

Post edited by: nads.com, at: 2005/10/29 22:48

nads.com wrote:

I would not trust that bikes cam chain gears. The 3 gears need to be checked and replaced or u WILL have trouble and that is a given fact from me to u. These gears are the only weakness in the motor and the insides break loose from the outsides over time. Ive seen the idler gears from a 60,000 bike and they're not pretty.<br><br>Post edited by: nads.com, at: 2005/10/29 22:48

The previous owner had the head re-worked and he had to replace a bent valve. He replaced the chain and gears in the process. the valve train is nice and quiet!

I put some pics in the gallery if anybody wants to see it..

Post edited by: hat0791, at: 2005/10/31 13:17

Lose the seat and your bike will be bitchin! I lust after your scooter...actually, I have been looking for a ST and I'm waiting for my bag of money to refill...