1977 KZ1000 Ltd. Cali. Model

I'll be checking out this bike in the next couple days. Owner claims 20k orig miles and the bike appears fairly clean from the crappy pics I saw. I've got my normal procedure for checking bikes out but can anyone stear me in the right direction for potential trouble spots on the '77? Also, does anyone know how this bike has generally faired in the engine/tranny dept.? Outside of a valve adj./CCT swap and gen. maintenance, I don't want to have to touch the motor...yet.

Thanks, I'll take any info. I can get. BTW, the guy is asking $1200.

Early model KZ1000 motors may be prone to have all those internal bits (made of rubber) deteriorate. There was a factory recall on early production 1977 KZ1000's to replace the cam chain tensioners (all where the rubber is the load bearing/wearing structure). See if this owner knew about this and had it done many years ago. I know because I had a new one and my bike was recalled. I have just acquired two Z1000A1's and I'm doing an upper end tear down of both (looks like neither had their innards replaced along the way). Both these motors have low miles (21,000 and 26,000)

That's good to know. Unfortunately, I don't think this guy is gonna let me yank the top end. Are these typically expensive bits to buy and replace (and source)? Other than that, it sounds as if this bike is fairly bullet proof. I know these motors are the choice of a lot of drag racers for their strength.

Kawifan...yeah the parts are readily available (see www.z1enterprises.com ) and it might cost you (if you have to acquire the tools also) maybe $400.00 to do a minor top end refurbisnment. $200.00+ of that will be special tools...so the actual cost is greatly reduced the more bikes you do (at least that is the bullshit excuse I used to my wife :lol: ) The motors are fundamentally sound although all it takes is one careless/inattentive PO to completely trash a bike:) The newer generation racers are getting out of the older design Kawasaki motors...they can make more horsepower with newer bikes.