Got me a gem, an 81 kz1100 for free 99.

Got a free kz 1100 from a friend. I have never been around bikes too much but I get out of the joint and all my friends are bikers. I want to rock this bike out. Where do I start. It's been she'd molesTed for years. I want it back to its prime. I got the OEM. WHERE'S A GOOD PLACE TO FIND PARTS? Need some help.

That is a nice friend for sure.
A surprising number of parts are still available at your local Kawasaki dealer.
Z1Enterprise, an advertiser on this forum, is also a good source.

A genuine factory service manual and a few specialty tools should be high on your list.

Welcome aboard.

That's a gem for sure.
Good luck with the project.
Ed

I'm also new to bikes.... I'd recommend partzilla for parts.

For deals, you can't beat ebay, as long as you know what you are after and what questions to ask the seller. A lot of great parts come off of low-mileage used bikes for next to nothing compared to new at parts warehouses. Best to compare.

My eyes may be tricking me but it appears the frame below the seat is bent sideways over the tire. If it is, then that will need to be repaired for safe riding. Another observation, the bike may have had a Windjammer on the front at one time...doesn't look like a headlight assembly is present, but that may not matter for what you have planned for it.
My 1100 had the Vetter touring package when I bought it used in 2000, and I stripped it all off the first week. At that time, finding original parts to replace what was missing was a real challenge to win.
Man, that was seventeen years ago...

Good luck with your project.