'82 KZ1000K LTD - ride and handling improvements

Howyadoin,

I'm in the process of getting my new ride ready to run. Among other things, I've opted for Pirelli Sport Demons to replace the (probably original) Dunlop Qualifiers. I'm not a big fan of the suspension as it stands, it's pretty floppy and I'm a big guy, so I'm thinking I might want to make it a little less... interesting. Plus, I'm thinking about going 2-up with the missus and bottoming out is no fun.

Anyone out there have any experience with Progressive Suspension fork springs and shocks? I'm thinking about getting them, I'm familiar with them from my Gold Wing days. Is there a better alternative for the Kawi? Any other updates (fork brace) or bearings, bushings etc. to be checked out?

Thanks!

I put on a set of Hagons (#4 in bottom picture in link) about 6 years ago. They have stainless steel bodies and shrouds and robust internals, and they work great. If you contact Dave Quinn and tell him your bike, your weight and 2-up weight, riding style, etc. he will set them up properly for you. I’m sure there are other good shocks out there, but I am very satisfied with the Hagons. Mine are shown below on my bike. Ed

davequinnmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/webc.cg...GON_TWIN_SHOCKS.html

I've got the same bike. I've posted several improvements/ changes I've made. I underbraced my rear swingarm, put new pivot bearings at the same time. Installed a front fork brace, progressive front springs and race tech gold valves. New steering head bearings, and stainless brake hoses with double sintered pads all around. I had rear 12 series progressive shocks, which did work much better than the old stocckers. But now I've gone to FOX racing shocks. This bike tracks straight and the suspension works real well now. So I've done a motor upgrade as well.
I've posted links to the fork Brace, fork bushings, gold valves, etc. Fox shocks are off of the front of a Artic Cat Sled.
You can get the bike to handle Way Better for sure. Just takes time and some money. I think I spent around $500 on the suspension.

I have had good luck with Race-Tech front suspension parts. The Gold Valve Cartridge Emulator Kit is well worth the time and money. You should service all of the bearings and upgrade the brake lines to braded stainless steel. Spiegler can make you a set of braded lines. There are lots of shock options to look at so get the best you can afford. I have used Works Performance shocks and like them.

racetech.com/index.aspx

www.worksperformance.com/

www.spieglerusa.com/

Thanks everybody for the tips, much appreciated! I'll be shock shopping shortly!
Tire-wise, I was looking at Pirelli Sport Demons, but I couldn't get a 90/90-19 for the front and didn't want to cause any problems with a 100/90, so I've opted, on the advice of my motorcycle service advisor and bass player, for Metzeler Lasertec 90/90V-19 front and 130/90V-16 in the rear . I'll let you know how I like them.

BTW, I just learned about the air chambers in the forks the other day... Does any one actually use them?

Also, here's a link to a great review of the KZ1000-K1... Funny stuff.

davestestsandarticles.weebly.com/uploads...awasaki_z1000ltd.pdf

So I finally got the bike out of the clutches of one shop, and delivered it directly to another! The first shop sorted the carbs, replaced the rubbers and did a tune-up, along with extracting the debris from the previous tenant of the airbox. Now it's tires and suspension time.

I'm going with the Metzeler Lasertec front and rear, largely because I could get the Metzeler in the closest match at 90/90 for the front tire factory spec of 3.25, which is technically 82.5/82.5, whereas I couldn't get the Pirellis at anything smaller than 100/90. The Avon Roadrider (also available in 90/90 front) looked nice too, but I've had good experiences with Metzeler. Plus, Metzeler is owned by Pirelli anyway... My only concern with the Lasertec is that it's a rather V-shaped profile. This will improve turn-in, but I hope that doesn't make the bike more wander-prone.

I've pretty well blown my budget at this point, so I'm just going to do the front springs for now, since I have to replace the fork seals anyway. I'm going with the Progressive 77-1110. I'll throw on a fork brace next, that I can do myself. Who makes a good one cheap? It's really just a slab 'o aluminum, isn't it?

The rear shocks (Progressive 12 series) and springs are spendy, about $300 a side, so that will probably have to wait a couple of months. Anyone got a cheap pair of stock pulloffs that aren't too trashed?

Ouch!! I don't know where you read or who told you to get a 90 / 90 but that's a mistake! Metzeler makes good tires BUT you're going to find the 90 / 90 front tire is too small for your bike. The 100 / 90 is the correct size in metric. Ed

See KZ1000 LTD:
www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorbike/kz-1000-ltd

Look at chart halfway down page:
www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_...ts/option/index.html

Metzeler 3.25 / 19
www.metzeler.com/site/us/products/tyres-catalogue.html

Hmmmm.... Thanks for the heads-up, I'll double-check with my mechanic!

+1 front is 100/90 size.

Correction: I checked with the shop, and the new front tire is a 3.25. I forgot, that's why I went with the Metzelers was that they had the exact match in English size. Sorry for the confusion... Me == dumbass! :S