'82 Z1000 LTD "Terry Lee"

Hello Everyone! I've had this LTD in my garage for a few years. This forum has energized me to get off my brains and get started on the old girl. She actually ran when I inherited her from my neighbor "Wild Bill". When I say ran, she smoked pretty bad, marginal brakes, floppy suspension, etc. She got parked with dreams of one day restoration/modification.

I will attempt to post some pics here of my starting point. (Bear with me, I'm trying to follow the instructions for posting pics for the first time)



Needs a bath at the very least...

OK, that seemed to work alright. I have to mention something about Wild Bill, the man I got her from. His real name is William Waltermire, something of a celebrity in the motorcycle world. He was actually inducted into the Sturgis Hall of fame a few years back. Bill was an original flat-tract racer back in the 30's and 40's.

His other nickname is "Handlebar" Waltermire. Bill is credited with inventing the modern buckhorn handlebars as he didn't like the old tiller style on early Indians. He says the first set were made in a few minutes on the bike with a blowtorch and some careful bending.

Bill was also a B-17 pilot in WWII and a POW after being shot down over Germany. After the war, Bill spent the next decades as a crop duster and pilot instructor.

He never lost his passion for motorcycles however, and rode well into his late 80's. Bill still lives across the street and recently celebrated his 93rd birthday. He is really important to me, and I just felt it necessary to explain "Terry Lee's" background. Sorry if I'm rambling off topic for a bit but he's a hero and I think he's worth it.



She's all there!

Welcome! This is the place for your project. Good job getting a pic up on the first try too...I'm pretty sure I screwed that up What are your plans for the LTD? Is that a spare KZ engine in the background?

Thats a cool story about one hellofa neighbor! Man, I wish I had a neighbor like that

OK, now for some more pics since I know how most of you are (including me :silly: ).



9037 original miles? Maybe.. I almost don't want to remove the break-in sticker.



Dig that 80's artwork! That's Terry Lee by the way.



Wonder of she still has the same hair?

Thanks porchev914, actually you'r project was one that helped motivate me! I'm not sure just yet, but she will probably be a daily driver in the end. Good eye noticing the "spare engine", that's my second project a 77 Z1000-A. She might need a little more help, and I plan to get familiar with the LTD before I tackle that one. I will post some pics of her too.

Maybe we can hook him up with the old lady neghbor of yours. He might be able to calm her down a bit. Old biker's rule!!!

Pilled the seat and tank tonight. I don't even want to look inside the tank, still had gas in her from when it was less than a buck a gallon :blush: . Go ahead, it's my fault, i was neglectful of the old girl, shame!!! But I plan to make up for it!



Waiting for a varmint to jump out at me :woohoo:



Are those cross braces stock?? Hmm...




More bracing? Or was this an LTD thing??

I wonder if this place is still in business?

Thought I'd post some pics of my other inherited project Z. She's a 77 1000A. Might need a bit more attention then the LTD however.



Most of the bike is there but I don't think she's seen the pavement since the 80's. (And she was free!)



Can't wait to get into this one! She turns over by hand with the kick starter!



Not even a knee dent! :woohoo:



Came with vintage Kerker! Might need some attention...

Never been a big fan of the stance or the look of this year LTD. Something to do with the big couch of a seat and lack of the cool fender on the earlier models. I've looked for some custom seats and can't find much for this model. I'm actually leaning towards a police saddle and grafting a rear fairing from an earlier model???

Open to suggestions on this one guys. One thing for sure, poor Terry Lee will be replaced with some other colors. If anyone wants her for artistic purposes, I will trade for another tank :lol:

First purchase...FSM on ebay!

Great background Marneman...many of us will be following this thread!