Is the KZ1000 engine worth rebuilding?

The basic premise for this question is does the Money invested vs Time running, after rebuild equal out.

I understand you have to baby them with maintenance and upkeep, which I am completely ok with. I just want to see how long a rebuilt engine last's because these parts aren't cheap at all and I am already pretty deep with this engine.

P.S. taking note that I want to ride this bike frequently

That's a loaded question & is subject entirely to perspectives. Old KZ's, done properly are pretty cool rides. What they are not is "cost effective" in terms of value of the motorcycle after it's completed. You don't build them because it's financially sound. You build them because THAT is THE BIKE you want to ride.......

For the amount of money you can sink into it, you can buy a turn key motorcycle that just plain does everything better because it's more modern. Then again, there's the "cool factor" of riding a nicely done old Z. What's that worth to ya?

Unless you ride the crap out of it the engine it will last for years.

Has been for me. Its all up to the owner what he wants. Between the needed repairs on the whole bike,it may not be the choice some would make. If the engine is worn out, it must have seen some miles, which would wear on many other parts, all replaceable. Time and money is what it takes. Hobby for most of us, some its their only transportation. These older bikes are still a lot of fun to ride. Most of the models are increasing in value also, even if its slowly with the current economy.

Just buy a new bike you'll be better off

You don't have to baby them with upkeep and maintenance.
If you do it's been built wrong and the owner doesn't know what they are doing and should probably never touch anything mechanical at all .
I've screwed my Z1R motor nearly everyday for the past 18 years since I built it and I mean everyday as i DON'T have a car or other regular bike.
It gets an oil and filter change when I remember, new plugs about 6 years ago, a shim check every couple and balance the carbs when I feel it needs it, which is rarely.

These are one of the toughest motors ever built and this fact is backed up by the thriving businesses that are still springing up around it all around the world.
Z1 enterprises , Hoopers pitstop , bulldock, sanctuary , Debbens, APE etc etc.

If the motor was fragile i doubt many of these businesses would exist never mind still produce high performance parts and mind blowing specials from them.

If you build that motor right it WILL be an investment, WILL reward you with years of trouble free riding and STILL be .....

OH! HANG ON, i've got it all wrong, don't waste your money on it, i'll take it off your hands for free, where do you live :laugh:

Well, I suppose than, I will carry-on with it. I'm not a fan of new bikes since I like the history attached to older ones. I doubt my KZ will be worth more since I, as you restorers would say, 'hacked it' haha but I hacked it in a good way...my way. Anywho, I am just in that phase of doing a build where I have doubts, not to be confused with the 'being in over my head' stage of a project haha that's past.

I am glad to hear that the maintenance issue wont be a thing.

I became under that impression when I got the bike, I was a entry level mechanic at a motorcycle shop and the guy who brought it in had a few different pairs of hands all over it.

So I was constantly dealing with the quirks of badly adjusted carbs, torn carb boots, ignition problems, fuel leaks and most of all wiring issues. Because of all that I 'hacked it' and went bare bones.

Then I went two days without checking the oil...So I have gotten new pistons with a bore up a size to the 1045cc and looking for a new crank to change, jetting carbs right and lastly and most expensive...valve train sprockets and guides, carb boots and the list goes on.

All in all I am ok with spending the money and time I just needed some reassurance that It will be worth it and reliable from you more experienced guys.

dbc92s10 wrote: Just buy a new bike you'll be better off

Don't think so. $14,000.00 will buy a few engine rebuilds.

I don't have a 1000 but I'll say this
about the KZ motor's I think their about the tuffest
of the old two valve motor's.

Now my little GPz750 motor I beat on it REAL bad every time
I ride it.
It get's an oil change when the oil in the little window
start's to turn dark from sliding the clutch
other then that I ain't done shit to the motor.

Motor is bullet proof. My KZ900 has over 60K on it and that is when the speedo broke. Was driven years after that by the PO. When I pulled the head off it, the cylinder bores are perfect. Factory cross hatching still there and no ridge can be felt with a finger nail. The inside is super clean after sitting in a garage for 11 years.

Are unexpected problems a PITA, absolutely. With that being said, what else are you going to do? If you don't fix it, it will sit as a worthless pile of parts. Owning mechanical things, especially old mechanical things require tough freakin' love! Can't get bogged down in the lows, but appreciate and be proud you are one of the few that can own and use an old bike and not play weekend warrior like most Ducati owners!

Man up, get the bike together, and ride the damn thing!

Pep talk over.......

Cory

It seems Cory has just about summed it up !! If that doesn't inspire you to get off your can just ship the bike to me I'll do something with it.

No one can decide weather it's going to be worth it except you.
Done right.
With a little bit of care.
Minimal maintenance.
and semi sane riding.
It just might outlive you.

But if you do decide to give it away PLEASE PM me.



Mike