TOPIC:

After much thought and going back and forth I am putting my beloved 1977 KZ-1000 A1 up for sale.  I am doing this for several reasons such as my age and ability to work on motorcycles is not what it once was.  Re-hab of the Kawasaki was an enjoyable project albeit expensive and it is fun to ride on short jaunts, but I also jumped ship from my BMW K1600 GTL and switched to a 2023 Honda DCT Goldwing which is a blast to ride.  I simply lost my desire to work on old bikes and would rather enjoy riding my Goldwing at this point while I can still swing my leg over the saddle.

So here's the deal, I did not do a total restoration on my Kawasaki as many of you know.  I never intended to do a complete restoration on it.  You can do a search on this forum and find out what I did to this bike over the course of many months.  I never intended to go as far as I did on my '77 KZ-1000, but every time I tried to repair something, I noticed something else that needed attention and was drawn further down the rabbit hole.  I paid $6500.00 initially for this bike and by the time I was finished I had over $12,000.00 invested in it.  The paint on the bike is all original as I wanted it to stay as is, because it still looks pretty good, however the side covers were re-painted by a previous owner.  I like patina in most everything I work on.  There is a very small dent on the fuel tank that is almost unnoticeable.  The engine was given a top end overhaul including replacement of the pistons and rings.  It is currently at 1045cc.  The head work was completed by APE out in California and the bill for that was almost $700.00 alone.  All the cam chain components have been replaced except for the chain which was within factory specs.  Therefore I had no need to split the case.  I made every attempt to use factory replacement parts on this bike which forced some overseas transactions for me but it was worth it.

The carbs have been overhauled and operate properly thanks in part to some help from forum members.  I did purchase another carb rack and overhauled those too, but they have never been on the bike.  The original point/condenser ignition was replace by a Dyna unit and the regulator/rectifier has been upgraded to a more reliable and modern system.  The clutch cable has an Eze-Pull setup in it and works very well.  The tires have been replaced and the wheels trued.  I am not sure what the actual milage is on this bike as a previous owner replaced the speedometer with one that showed less milage.  When I had the gauges restored I had the odometer set to "0" miles.  Obviously all chassis and wheel bearings and seals were replaced and a tapered bearing conversion was installed on the front forks.  Currently the bike shows 3,086 miles.

I could go on and on regarding what was done to this bike, but it would take a lot of writing and would bore most to death.  So probably the best way of doing this is to look at the pictures I have provided and contact me via email or PM if you are interested in purchasing my bike.  I want $7000.00 for the bike itself and if you want all the spare parts and tools that I have for it that will be an extra $1,000.00.  The extra tools will include a factory piston ring compressor for the KZ-1000 engine as well as the carb rack I spoke of earlier.  The original seat which is in great condition will be included in the extra cost.  I have several boxes of parts also too numerous to list.  I have at least 8 extra carb overhaul kits that I ordered from Japan.  I also installed a dual disc brake conversion on the front wheel and all the parts for that are OEM.  Most came from a factory accessory kit they offered years ago.  The old single disc parts will be included in the spare parts.

So if this motorcycle interests you please feel free to contact me.  I will keep the bike only on KZ Rider for 30 days and then offer it on some other websites.  Obviously there is no warranty with this motorcycle, but other than a carb that seeps occasionally there is nothing wrong with it that I know of.  I am getting too old to race around much anymore and this bike has been ridden gently.  Look at the pictures and think about this sweet deal for someone.  It will come with the factory tool kit and service manual.  Thanks...

Rick H.
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Seems like a good deal to me Rick, here in the UK you would be paying that kind of money for one that needed everything doing 

Thanks for the info Wookie.  I wasn't sure what a "decent" price would be on this, but I figured this was good for me and a buyer.

Rick H.

Quick edit that price Rick. I’d be asking $9,000.00. The exhaust alone is worth $1000.00. Shame to see you getting out of the Kz family, but you will always be a trusted friend. 

I have to agree with Wookie and Matt, that is waaay too nice of a motorcycle to let it go for 7K!  Definitely a good deal for the buyer, but I would think a little more jingle in your pocket would take a little bit of the sting out of letting something go, that you obviously had a great deal of pride in.  

Mike

Even at $9,000 it will be a wicked deal for someone.  Just my 2 cents.

Mikaw wrote:

Quick edit that price Rick. I’d be asking $9,000.00. The exhaust alone is worth $1000.00. Shame to see you getting out of the Kz family, but you will always be a trusted friend. 

I agree, too nice to let it go at that price. I would love to find an exhaust in that condition.

Put that puppy on BaT with a 8k reserve and see what it brings it might surprise you what it will bring.

You are reading my mind Moose1800.  BAT does a pretty nice job of selling things.  I was all set to put my 2017 Chevrolet SS on BAT, but a local snapped it up before I did so.  Probably should have put the SS on BAT just to see what happened with it, but it's water over the dam now.  With all the responses so far from people here if it doesn't sell I will probably go with BAT next at $9K reserve.  Just wanted to give the members here a shot at it first.

Rick H.

Too cheap,don't do it .Do what the guys say.