1982 KZ 1000 J

I'm looking for a new project bike. Is the kz1000J as good of a bike as the older mk II and older? I would build an ELRR type bike. Or would be better off with a MkII? Wish I could find one. What would be the down side to the J modle? Any guidance would be a big help.

Go to www.kawasakimotorcycle.org and find a forum member named "Kopcicle" find and ask him about your questions.

On this website, ask Ape Jay or Larry Cavan.

I think the "j" series bikes (1981-85) were much better than the earlier bikes in almost all aspects. They were built and used as police bikes until 2005.

Read this:
www.aperaceparts.com/tech/techkz1000.html

Love my 82 J. Although I wish I still had my Z1B, as riders go, the J is much better.

What one guy fins better, another may disagree with. They're similar motors but different enough to be preferable for any given situation.

Frame wise, the J's had a stiffer, better handling chassis but IMO lacked the styling of the KZ models. But that's a personal preference thing anyway.

My advice is to pick the styling you prefer. Either engine will produce power and both are reliable. I like them both

larrycavan wrote:

What one guy fins better, another may disagree with. They're similar motors but different enough to be preferable for any given situation.

Frame wise, the J's had a stiffer, better handling chassis but IMO lacked the styling of the KZ models. But that's a personal preference thing anyway.

My advice is to pick the styling you prefer. Either engine will produce power and both are reliable. I like them both

Hell Larry you like any 4cyl 2 valve kawasaki but then again so do I !

the newer the better the older the nicer.....

the more trianglelaguna-er the gayer

In a strict sense, availability will be an issue...neither the standard J model nor the MKII model are abundant...both are good looking bikes when resurrected. Price will also be a factor...the J models (KZ1000J1/J2/J3), when encountered, can be had for much less than the MKII models (KZ1000A3/A4).

i do wonder why we dont have more j builds going...i know the styling is somewhat in question when stock ,but the ones i have seen(like that one members silver one)that are close to stock and really clean,are great bikes....

i almost never see a j-model "standard"- KZ1000-J- ever..i may have seen three in real life and one is my rolling project.....

i know we have folks scoping out the track day scene...it seems to me that 110-115 hp j-model stripped down and saftey wired...could be made with just some carbs and a decent pipe...let alone some pistons...a welded crank and some port work......

anyways......seems we have members who prefer the 73-80 yrs when it comes to a road racer