KZ 1000 Owners Thread

[kzbatbike]

Do you have a KZ1000 that rides nice, runs great, and looks decent? Then you know the thrill and satisfaction of owning one of these bikes as well as I do. I feel very lucky to own one as it seems they must be rare, because I rarely ever, ever see one on the road. Nor do I see as many threads about KZ1000's on this site as I thought I would.
So who's out there? Let's talk KZ1000.

I have a great story about the history of how my bike came to be.

Got it "free" for doing a 2 hour tile job for a friend. It had been sitting in her barn for 13 years, uncovered, with gas, with oil, etc. Also a dog in the barn that liked to chew things....you get the picture. I didn't even know what it was because the emblems were gone, and it was covered in grime. I figured it was a 750. Turns out it was a 77 1000 ltd. Even had a sissy bar, which I still own. Anyway, 14 years later, this is that bike. I have un-countable hours into garage time and $6k in receipts. I am my own mechanic.

In 89 I owned a new EX500. That bike was a screamer, very light.
In 92 I owned a new Suk Katana 600. eh

I have been fine tuning my carbs lately, just installed clip on's with a zzr master brake cyl/lever. Hot wired the coils lately which I wish I had heard about years ago, and am about to try "Rusteco" to rid my tank of rust, we'll see...

Damn, I love my KZ.

Anyone else?

[techy]

I used to run the old tripples. While I was in the army, Kaw came out with the Z1 900. Bought a used 73 when I got back to the states. Worked it over a little.

Got to working a lot of hours around 78 or 79 and sold the bike. Bout went crazy! So the next spring started looking again. Went to check one out and it was my old bike. Bought it back. Still have it.

Tend to go overboard now and then. Also have 74 and 76. Unfortunately all are in parts. Too many projects!

[kzbatbike]

You got the same one back?! amazing.

Is it rock stock or ??

[techy]

Seldom leave anything stock. Cases are still ones that came in bike though.

[the goose]

I have a '77 KZ1000 LTD that i picked up from my buddy for 900 bucks. I haven't had much time to ride it yet. I love these bikes. Ya just can't beat the way old rice sounds.

[kzbatbike]

Is it a stock bike? How bout a pic

[coppertales]

KZ1100s, all 1982. One A2 and two D1s. Dragged them all home not running and fixed them up. Thank God for ebay, otherwise it would not be worth fixing them up. I still have to spend several hours each weekend to keep them on the road. I fix something and something else breaks. I have been riding Kaw 4 cylinders since the first Z1 came out. Wish I still had it.....I had several KZ1000s inbetween.....chris3

[billyd]

I have owned 2 900 LTDs and love em the one I have now the engine is extensivly modified and almost ready to ride.The first one I bought new in 76,installed a kerker header on and drag raced till 85.Wish I'd never sold it.Best time in street trim was 11.88. Bill

[techy]

Originally Posted by the goose

I have a '77 KZ1000 LTD that i picked up from my buddy for 900 bucks. I haven't had much time to ride it yet. I love these bikes. Ya just can't beat the way old rice sounds.

Nice buy Goose.
Bought my 73 in early 74. Went to visit my dad about 150 mi away. He was a diehard Harley fan. We swapped bikes and went on a hour ride. When we got back, he parked it and walked around it couple times. I went back the next month and he had one. Got a pic somewhere of our start from Peoria, Il. on trip to South Carlina in 76 or 77.
Not long after, my brother picked one up. Guess I'm a good influence.

[the goose]

Originally Posted by kzbatbike

Is it a stock bike? How bout a pic

As far as I know it is. It has custom paint,and Vance & Hines exhaust. The engine has about 3000 miles on a rebuild.

[the goose]

Originally Posted by techy

Nice buy Goose.
Bought my 73 in early 74. Went to visit my dad about 150 mi away. He was a diehard Harley fan. We swapped bikes and went on a hour ride. When we got back, he parked it and walked around it couple times. I went back the next month and he had one. Got a pic somewhere of our start from Peoria, Il. on trip to South Carlina in 76 or 77.
Not long after, my brother picked one up. Guess I'm a good influence.

The first time I ever saw a KZ1000 was in the movie Mad Max. I knew right then that I had to have 1. It took 20 years but I finally got 1.

[kzbatbike]

Thats what everyone says when I tell them I have a KZ1000."Ya man, Mad Max!"

[kzbatbike]

Does anybody else's KZ run as good as mine?

[the goose]

what's the difference between a KZ1000 LTD and a KZ1000 ST?