1982 GPz750 (R1) coming home

[Bad Kaw]

And here it is. It's a bit rougher than when it left 10 years back, but it's back home and I've got some work to do. After seeing that smokin' hot stocker of rwhvette84's I think the paint (which it needs) is going to go back to very near-to-stock. But, without further stalling, here it is. I like to label the photos: (1) "Wait for it..." (2) "Waaaaait..." and (3) "There it is!" ...that's daddy's boy, alright...don't know where he gets that from!

[Chuckster]

Love the bike! Very cool.

[Bad Kaw]

In the immortal words of Elvis Presley: "Thank you. Uuuuuh, thank you very much!"

It's been a couple days, but I got the old girl in the garage the other day and took the screw-driver to it and got the carbs off and daaayyyuuuummmm they were nasty...WTF...do they not have good fuel in Rhode Island??? Anyway, I was just going to clean 'em and go, but I noticed that the air-box vent tube hole had a piece of tape over it, so I got to looking at the 'guts' and noticed that there was a bit of "east side" engineering going on with some washers (of various thicknesses!) under the shims atop the needles, so I'm just going to get a jet kit and put some filters on and do it correctly.

It's alright. Winter has finally arrived; in Kansas that means cold as a well-digger's-*** in January, so not riding for a few weeks anywho.

More later,
-KR

[rstnick]

Nice GPz Bad Kaw.

With that stable you've got going there, why do you lust for a kz650?
I'd like any of the others you've got at home.

[Bad Kaw]

Well, truth to be told, you're partially responsible.
Back in the day the 650s were a dime-a-dozen, they were everywhere, and this local guy who had one would constantly get his *** handed to him and I (suffering from Brand-K loyalty) just sort of hated the bike b/c it "looked" like my Z-1, but had a 'slow' reputation. All the 650s from back in my day were VERY unremarkable...in Kansas half the state is flat-land and big-bores rule.
Fastforward to today and I get to the KZRider site and I see these totally sweeeeeet rides that have pristine paint, or cool Mad-Max themes, very cool application rear-sets...but most importantly have the old Z-1 "look" and guys are paying attention to the 'details' of the bike. Some nice spoked wheels, some well-done suspension swaps to late-model 17"s mags, some motor mods, some very cool upper-fairing mods...and all of it looks 'right', ya know? (I'm sure you do...look at your bike).
And maybe one of the deals is that now that they're not around (at least I don't see 'em anywhere) so much I find myself reeeeeeally wanting one. If I could get one 'right' (which will be a problem b/c I've actually turned down 'free' ones from way-back-when...so I'm tainted) and then make it handle: I'd like to send the wife's Hawk GT down the road and convert her over to the KZ650 as she likes the looks of the Bs and Cs and KZ550s, and really has no love for the looks of her hawk (who knew!).

Anyway, sorry about the long description, but I've always been a fan of your bike. My thoughts would be to throw a solo tail (several hanging on the wall at the moment) to a 'B' or 'C', swap suspension to something 'inverted' and spoked, and 17"...sound crazy?...not done: then find either a Ducati Paul Smart Replica upper fairing, Dunstal, Rickman, or something similar for the front. And I'm thinking the rear is going to have to either be a CBR6/10RR arm or a ZX6/10R arm with the pipe routing casting b/c I would like to single shock it and route a dual exhaust up under the tail.
Detailed...odd, yet cool. Whattaya think? Sorry man, but I just have this picture in my head that I can't get out.
Chime in man, I'm interested in your feedback.
-KR

[Bad Kaw]

Oh, BTW, thanks for the complements on the GPz...I've had it off and on for about 15 years. I dig it, got some plans for it, nothing wild.

-KR

[greg58]

Originally Posted by Bad Kaw

And here it is. It's a bit rougher than when it left 10 years back, but it's back home and I've got some work to do. After seeing that smokin' hot stocker of rwhvette84's I think the paint (which it needs) is going to go back to very near-to-stock. But, without further stalling, here it is. I like to label the photos: (1) "Wait for it..." (2) "Waaaaait..." and (3) "There it is!" ...that's daddy's boy, alright...don't know where he gets that from!

I like the pics, your boy seems proud of his belly. Good Man!!
Take a look at my GPZ750 it is mostly stock exept for the Kerker that seems to be from the period.
Greg

[hooptygoo]

Hi all. I'm pretty new here, but here is mine. I got her a couple months ago. I love the style and feel of her, but I hope I'm not in over my head with mechanical issues. For the most part, she's in really good shape except for little things here and there (like the clutch going out on the freeway). I'm pretty sure I can figure out the clutch issue but I but I'm wondering if I should just sell her to someone who'll really appreciate her. Seems there are a lot of folks out there who really admire this bike.

Anyone want to make an offer?

[Bad Kaw]

Dude, obviously I'm a fan of that bike. Nice example.
If you are serious about selling it go to this site: kzrider.com and post up there, the crowd there is quite a bit more Kaw-thorough, and there are over 14,000 registered members.

Nice bike!

-KR

[rstnick]

Originally Posted by Bad Kaw

Well, truth to be told, you're partially responsible.
Back in the day the 650s were a dime-a-dozen, they were everywhere, and this local guy who had one would constantly get his *** handed to him and I (suffering from Brand-K loyalty) just sort of hated the bike b/c it "looked" like my Z-1, but had a 'slow' reputation. All the 650s from back in my day were VERY unremarkable...in Kansas half the state is flat-land and big-bores rule.
Fastforward to today and I get to the KZRider site and I see these totally sweeeeeet rides that have pristine paint, or cool Mad-Max themes, very cool application rear-sets...but most importantly have the old Z-1 "look" and guys are paying attention to the 'details' of the bike. Some nice spoked wheels, some well-done suspension swaps to late-model 17"s mags, some motor mods, some very cool upper-fairing mods...and all of it looks 'right', ya know? (I'm sure you do...look at your bike).
And maybe one of the deals is that now that they're not around (at least I don't see 'em anywhere) so much I find myself reeeeeeally wanting one. If I could get one 'right' (which will be a problem b/c I've actually turned down 'free' ones from way-back-when...so I'm tainted) and then make it handle: I'd like to send the wife's Hawk GT down the road and convert her over to the KZ650 as she likes the looks of the Bs and Cs and KZ550s, and really has no love for the looks of her hawk (who knew!).

Anyway, sorry about the long description, but I've always been a fan of your bike. My thoughts would be to throw a solo tail (several hanging on the wall at the moment) to a 'B' or 'C', swap suspension to something 'inverted' and spoked, and 17"...sound crazy?...not done: then find either a Ducati Paul Smart Replica upper fairing, Dunstal, Rickman, or something similar for the front. And I'm thinking the rear is going to have to either be a CBR6/10RR arm or a ZX6/10R arm with the pipe routing casting b/c I would like to single shock it and route a dual exhaust up under the tail.
Detailed...odd, yet cool. Whattaya think? Sorry man, but I just have this picture in my head that I can't get out.
Chime in man, I'm interested in your feedback.
-KR

I hear you.

I've got another kz650 frame and other parts. It was my brother's bike.
One day I'd like to do just what you describe.
Although I lust after some other Kawi models as well; like the ELRs, the 1100R, the ZRXs etc.

[Bad Kaw]

Yeah, ya know, the common sense manuever would be to get a ZRX and make it a daily driver while all the projects are coming together. My friend has one and it's superb. I'd REALLY like to get a Z1000 (03 - 06, first generation model, they handle much better).
-KR

[Nate]

Nice to see you got reaquainted with an old friend, KR. Maybe this will be the year I'll tackle my KL250 project and get reaquainted with my old friend.

[HAILCON71]

Oh God I'm Like an excited school girl. I just found an '82 750 (GPz). I have been wanting an 1100 but people want "Crazy" money for them. This one is $1100 Bones running. I missed a 750 in Burlington Vt. for $275. I think it was posted like 20 Minutes.
I had a GPz 550 and like all fools and their treasures I parted with it for a girl.
Divorced her 16 years later. I bought a '84 900 and that was sold off to install a finish grade and grass on the yard. Now I got me a good country girl that just wants me to be Happy. I think a Frame up restoration on a GyPZee should do it.
So Get used to seeing me Post. Jet engines don't have Carbs, so I might need a little advice.
Wish me luck on the 750. Should I just give him the $1100

[quader98]

you have any pics and info on it? when i bought mine the po wanted 15 for it and i talked him down to 800 and probaly could have gotton her for 6 but didnt want to push it.send me what you got and i'll help you out

[Mcdroid]

Originally Posted by HAILCON71

Oh God I'm Like an excited school girl. I just found an '82 750 (GPz). I have been wanting an 1100 but people want "Crazy" money for them. This one is $1100 Bones running. I missed a 750 in Burlington Vt. for $275. I think it was posted like 20 Minutes.
I had a GPz 550 and like all fools and their treasures I parted with it for a girl.
Divorced her 16 years later. I bought a '84 900 and that was sold off to install a finish grade and grass on the yard. Now I got me a good country girl that just wants me to be Happy. I think a Frame up restoration on a GyPZee should do it.
So Get used to seeing me Post. Jet engines don't have Carbs, so I might need a little advice.
Wish me luck on the 750. Should I just give him the $1100

Price? It all depends how hungry you are for the GPz750...and what shape it is in. The 1982 GPz750 is less desireable than the 1982 GPz1100 (750's in general don't command the resale value that the bigger bikes do)...Ernie is right about the price...I picked my '82 GPz750 up for $625 and it was complete and it ran...since then I have disassembled it and purchased new body work, but little else. However, if you really want the bike, then the $1100 is OK. We are looking forward to the pics.

[quader98]

DROID help me get mine

[HAILCON71]

Sweet now I got two 750 guys in my coroner. The money isn't all that important to me. As you said if it's worth to me $1100 isn't bad. I requested from the owner some better pictures. He seems like good guy. The bike has 28,000 miles on it, no dents in the tank and he says it runs. I talked to him on the phone and he told me he turned away a few kids because he wants to sell to someone that will take care of the bike. (In other words he wants to sell it to an old guy) I work on an Aircraft that was made in 1962, I know how to take care of old machines....seems a good fit HUH! I started looking for a good manual, got any good sources, web links,Parts outlets. I started a file on my Apple with info and forums. A Kawasaki manual would be nice unless you guys are happy with Clymer and such. I'll post pictures when he sends them.

[buckles]

can you actually buy the stripes for these? I am trying to get them for my 1100, as well as the fairing, but I think I may have to get them made

[quader98]

EEEEeewww clymer i hate that book,you can have mine...my bad ,it's the haynes manual that sucks not the clymer

[Mcdroid]

Originally Posted by buckles

can you actually buy the stripes for these? I am trying to get them for my 1100, as well as the fairing, but I think I may have to get them made

Yes, afegraphics sells sets...they are quality and the owner is helpful w/any questions. I have purchased a set for my 750R1 and am about to for my GPz1100.