performance tweeks

I am looking for ways to increase the performance of my 1980 kz1000 ltd. Any tips, tricks, mods, or experiences. Any suggestions?

i can think of a couple,just depends on what you want it to do and what you want to spend :laugh:

AS far as money Im open. Im looking at getting every bit of horsepower out of the engine I can. What are your suggestions?

I think we are in for another bench racing session. If you don't know how to hop up a bike, don't mess with any of the intermediate tips people will give you but put on a turbo and run at full boost:

www.mrturbo.com/turbo_systems/kawasaki/kz%20gpz%20j%20old.html

Probably want to talk with Jay at Ape Racing, one of our sponsors as he can set you up with a 1428 kit with some low compression, forged pistons and then add the KZ MRTurbo kit. I would be kind of careful running 30 lbs boost. 310hp on a KZ chassis! bwhahahaha

Don't forget the nitrous. Once the bike noses over from only 30 lbs. of boost, hit that magic button and then you will know what power is!!! LOL Seriously though...do you want a hair dryer, juice or just a normally aspirated motor or a combination. Lots of ways to get power and it really depends on what you plan on using the bike for as to what you can, should or want to do to the motor. Give us more on the intended use and I'm sure we can give you some ideas and combinations that would be right up your alley. How much do you want to spend. Depending on what you want, you may want to do some chassis work to keep that power grounded also. Just remember. it's not just any one part but the combination. All the parts must work together otherwise you can end up with a hard to ride bike. I know APE sells kits that might be interesting and give you some ideas as to what you might want. Check them out at www.aperaceparts.com (I think that's right).

god i love these guys!:woohoo: anyway what do you really plan on using the bike for?a dragbike motor is of little use on a streetbike(ask me how i know this!:blush: )ive always been a fan of the bigger is better idea when it comes to motors.for reliability ,ridability and ability to run on cheap pump gas its much easier to make power with a big ol torque monster 1197 with a decent cylinder head ,mild cams and small carbs than to build a small motor with monster cams ,lots of compression and lots of fancy stuff the big motor dont need.need to mention with the right parts the bigger motor wont have to turn nearly as many rpms to make power which is perfect for a stump pulling streetbike motor that pulls like a freight train in any gear! now i will sit back and listen to the 1075 guys :laugh:

what Im hoping to do is to build a fast, no, really fast street bike. I could buy one but I like my kz and plan on keeping it. Im not looking to drag race at the local strip. I want to get about 120 rwhp out of the motor. I dont know if thats reasonable or not and if it is how would get that from the motor and what mods would it take?

HOT ROD SUPER STREET AND STRIP - Streetable compression ratios and camshafts



SSR1015
$912.53
1015cc piston kit, K410 cams,
valve spring kit

SSR1075
$912.53
1075cc piston kit, K410 cams,
valve spring kit




SSR1200
$1532.87
1200cc piston kit - with sleeves, K435 cams, sob retainers, tappets, valve springs, cylinder studs.

SSR1325/SSR1385
$2124.23
1327 or 1395cc piston kit,Big block cylinder assembly, K435 cams, tappets, retainers, cylinder studs valve springs.
For the serious performance
enthusiast


www.kzzone.com/kits.html

Pick your poison :laugh:

I'm with Plummen on this one... :laugh:

How fast are you speaking about?
Meaning, stock ~ 140-150mph ain't fast enough or are you wanting to jump off the line quicker...

Turbo maybe but NITROUS on a every day rider street bike???
Holly crap, you guys trying to kill this guy... lol!

Here I was thinking my 1015cc kit with .365 CAMS, Valve head Port & Polish, Keihin 29mm CR Specials and a Kerker where going to be kick ass...

Maybe I'm just getting old.... Poor OMR... Hell, after working on my project coming up on one years time, I'll just be happy the old girl starts/runs after 20 years of no running...

OMR

Faster off the line, with enough instant power (or close to it) left over for quick acceleration while while riding. No 140-150 isnt fast enough

Send the motor to APE and let him do what ever he wants, your just talking the talk on here. Bring a fat wallet and walk the walk

Top end components as Steell provided plus all the other necessities that would be required...

Such as... Crank welded and balanced, transmission cut, head valve job plus, grossly enlarged carbs, new exhaust, frame support, extended swing-arm (possibly single sided), fabrication for nitrous components and not to mention new suspension and brakes required for these speeds....

I'm with mtkawboy where 150mph isn't fast enough :blink: right...

If you're not drag racing this bike on weekends at the strip, using and expecting this to maintain as a daily rider, where are you truly riding this fast and how often... Come on now, be real.

Look at the ergos on brand new sport bikes. These bikes are made for that 180mph speed where engine, suspension ergos and brake system are engineered for it.

The LTD isn't, plain and simple. Hell, none of these old bikes are to that point. That's one of the reasons they called them widow makers when they first came out. Even at 140mph, people were dying left and right to where the Gov tried to ban them.

At 180mph, shit, that will pull your ass off that bike in a heart beat. Road pizza...

Seriously, a little acceleration increase with some CAMs, 1075cc kit and some 34mm carbs is more than enough power.
If you're truly racing this bike then totally disregard but since you posted even asking this question I seriously doubt that being so... 150mph isn't fast enough for any of us on this forum is pure B.S.

OMR