This was my last, and most favorite bike of all time. So powerful, yet so smooth. And the looks! IMO, it beat all other bikes being offered by anyone at the time (not considering any one-of-a-kind custom builds, of course). I miss it so much, but I had done some serious damage to my back at work, and was simply no longer able to ride. Broke my heart to sell it.
This bike is absolutely fucking gorgeous! I am planning on doing up my 82 xj650 sometime soon. I have a special place in my heart for these older inline four motorcycles.
Very good video..this bike was popular during my early riding time.. I felt it was Kawasakis answer to the Yamaha Midnight Special. One of my Airfirce buddy's had one.. I was 22 years old and your 1100 is great. Nice to see it all original. Thanks
nice. I was just thinking about the era of air cooled inline 4 cruisers... that was a golden era and your bike is golden (and black).. good to see it !
I had one these lovely to ride when open it up it sinks forward when drop the rev it life up you think someone was on the back they go for ever not many in the UK thank you for this video mate
beautiful, you did a great job, i have just got an 1982 1100 spectre that i intend to clean up, if she looks half as good as yours i will be happy, well done man
Don't sell it the started motor the same as a 1000 kawasaki I couldn't fine a start motor that was the only thing that pack up on me. I at to push start it it got some power it not lift on the back wheel but it lovely to ride mate
A MUST have bike for any AC-130 SPECTRE Gunship crew member. I just completed restoring one and ride it daily. I was so lucky when I got my Florida Antique plate last month they gave me "129RB" as the number. For those not familiar with the Gunship Aircraft tail number "129" was the very first Production C-130 "The First Lady" and I am just digging the number on the bike. I called the "RB" part of the number "Road Bike" but a buddy called it right, "Rally Badass"! Love it
Beautiful bike. Amazed to see one in this (restored) condition. Had I had the opportunity, I would have done the same (bought it without a doubt). Its certainly a very stylish motorcycle. Enjoy it. Thanks for sharing this video.
Thanks. I had a 83' KZ 1100 for awhile, but the darn thing just kept leaking gas. Tank, boots, .. I just did not have the temperament to rehabilitate it. I'm glad you ran yours, so I could hear the engine. Mine was noisy too. I didn't know if it was normal. That being said.... I loved riding it.
Leno Olivarez You don't need to apologize for the condition of that bike. I had that bike new in 83 and loved it. I rode it from Columbus, Ga. to Bayard, Nebraska in 1984 while I was in the military. I rolled it in 85 when the rear brake grabbed hard while making a right turn. There was sand in the road and I could not keep it up, so I totaled it. That is my wife's picture by the way.
Super cool. I'm a Harley guy but I basically like any on 2 wheels. Love this bike it screams 80s.. I'm surprised though it's not liquid cooled. My buddy's dad had an 82 750 like this. Backed then alot of 750s n the road because of the tariffs
@Ericbbv You would need either shorter rear shocks, or a bracket to relocate the stock shock mounts to lower the rear the front forks could be slipped in the tripple trees a little or change the fork springs. Thanks for watching and for your question!
After so long hope you still have the bike, just wanted to say if you haven’t done it yet, you can bypass the clutch, remove the switch and connect the wires and let them connected, you will never need to press clutch again to start it.
This was my first street bike moving from dirt to street back in 1992. Spooky fast in the day. I actually sold it because I feared fro my safety. Looked just like this one.
Sure, Just let me know how I can help. The best advice is to start with a bike that is already a nice bike. This bike was nice when I got it. You will end up with a better result. Thanks again.
Yes I'm buying a 1982 kawasaki kz1100 spectre that I have to finish putting together I hope it looks half as good as yours the guy I'm buying it from it had a blown motor when he bought it he tore it down bought all the parts to rebuild it with and don't have time to mess with it anymore so he put it up for sell Saturday morning I seen it and he decided that I would be the right person for the bike I'm 51 years old I can't wait to get it put together and own my own bike again I have over 30 years experience of riding them I just haven't owned my own in 20 something years my friends alway let me borrow theirs it's a great birthday present to my self and I'll take care of it and enjoy it to I like the older bikes myself
Just watched the video for the first time. I am sure by now you were let in on a little secret : it is pronounced spec-ter. I am going to pick one up this Wed. The 1100 model is awesome, and difficult to find in good condition. I love early and mid-eighties bikes, especially Honda, but I could not resist the SPECTRE. Just like James Bond can not resist beautiful women !! Next time I am around Houston, I will have to stop by and see that the Spectre.
I had one of these bike in 1999 it was fast lovely for travelling it the first time l got three points on my licence 34 Mike per hour in London e15 near Bow fly over l paid £1.850.00 Fr this bike l only got it to go camping with me mates I had the bike two year then sold it on did see it at High beach Loughton where bike lads met up then l move back to the North East some one in Walthamstow got this bike l see it in Howard' Road Walthamstow E17 if you read this mate you got a good bike in 2000.
WOW! Hope you are still running this dream machine,i own a 550 spectre after four years of searching I only found a knew exhaust and tank,both are for the LTD .spectre knew is non existing.i did find quite a few other major arterial parts though knew.These are the only bikes I love.owned a Vulcan 1700,liked it,triumph loved the prestige,the kz series are far most my love since 14 years old,my room was plastered.i am now 48,my dream machine you own,please let me know if you ever want to part with it.
Those are really pretty , Spectre is like a ghost or something...Kaw had all kinds of variety around that time..Ltd , CSR, Mk2, ZI Classic...and more im sure..lol
Love your bike man.... I love the old 70's and 80's Kawasaki. I had a 1980 KZ 650 and it was awesome. When you started this bike I thought I heard a valve out of adjustment... was this the case or was it something else? Great bike!
I had one. what a great bike it was. could ride 500 miles no issue. I now have a zrx1200r. as close to the kz11 I could find. I would prefer the kz11. but the zrx is a monster to ride.
Nice bike ive had mine since new and i am doing the same, down to the frame re-build to out of the create new. William, if i have any questions, would you mind helping me out?
love what uv done with that spectre. ive got the 83 750 spectre and it looks exactly like urs. colors, stile, everything. it was a true barn find. been sitting for years. with only 14,xxx miles. cleaned it up and got it running. runs like new.. could u help me in finding out the value of this ole bikes. i cant find anything about em. i was gonna bob it but i cant bring myself to chop up such a nice vintage bike. thanks for any help u can provide
Yes, please don't cut your bike up. My advice is keep it as origianl as possible. They don't have to perfect or original to be enjoyed. Make it runs as good as possible, clean up what you can and ride it! I wish you the best. Thanks!
There is one for sale on Thornton Co. craigslist, an untitled complete Spectre its a 750 though. The seller only wants $300, and it runs and goes. I might need to go get it this weekend.
9 years later you prolly got this shit done a long time ago but just drop that side cover off at a pain shop. They will make it look better than brand new. Got the same exact bike. I actually got the 82 and the 83 models. Had a custom paint body shop repaint my side covers and tank to look brand new.
Anybody have a 1977 Suzuki GS550 ? I need a lot of parts. Trying to get it running again as I have another bike that is too heavy for me as I am getting older I need to get back on the road again before July gets here. Jeff
The 1983 Spectre has a safety Switch on the clutch lever (You can see it on the video) that requires the clutch lever to be pulled in to start it. The one I bought had it removed already and I am glad it is gone. Good for beginners but beginners should not be riding a 108hp, 143mph rated bike like this fine beast!
Nice color scheme. But it's pronounced Specter like a ghost or Phantom. Not Spectree. Hope you're still riding it. I have the 82 burgundy color scheme.
This was my last, and most favorite bike of all time. So powerful, yet so smooth. And the looks! IMO, it beat all other bikes being offered by anyone at the time (not considering any one-of-a-kind custom builds, of course). I miss it so much, but I had done some serious damage to my back at work, and was simply no longer able to ride. Broke my heart to sell it.
This bike is absolutely fucking gorgeous! I am planning on doing up my 82 xj650 sometime soon. I have a special place in my heart for these older inline four motorcycles.
wow had the same bike fore manny years. superb bike ,i drove it all the time .
The center stand lock brilliant idea!
Ah yes......the elusive Speck Tree.
😂
😂❤😂
beautifully smooth bike. damn that thing looks like it's brand new
JOHNNY'S VINTAGE KAWASAKI IN OHIO BROUGHT MY 79 KAW 750 BACK TO LIFE =LOVE IT ! SPECTRE CLEAN BIKE+
Very good video..this bike was popular during my early riding time.. I felt it was Kawasakis answer to the Yamaha Midnight Special. One of my Airfirce buddy's had one.. I was 22 years old and your 1100 is great. Nice to see it all original. Thanks
nice. I was just thinking about the era of air cooled inline 4 cruisers... that was a golden era and your bike is golden (and black).. good to see it !
I had one these lovely to ride when open it up it sinks forward when drop the rev it life up you think someone was on the back they go for ever not many in the UK thank you for this video mate
beautiful, you did a great job, i have just got an 1982 1100 spectre that i intend to clean up, if she looks half as good as yours i will be happy, well done man
Don't sell it the started motor the same as a 1000 kawasaki I couldn't fine a start motor that was the only thing that pack up on me. I at to push start it it got some power it not lift on the back wheel but it lovely to ride mate
Great, it's my favorite motorcycle! Greetings from Poland
I rode one several times kz 750,1000,and 1100. I fell in love with the Spectra.
A MUST have bike for any AC-130 SPECTRE Gunship crew member. I just completed restoring one and ride it daily. I was so lucky when I got my Florida Antique plate last month they gave me "129RB" as the number. For those not familiar with the Gunship Aircraft tail number "129" was the very first Production C-130 "The First Lady" and I am just digging the number on the bike. I called the "RB" part of the number "Road Bike" but a buddy called it right, "Rally Badass"! Love it
Beautiful bike. Amazed to see one in this (restored) condition. Had I had the opportunity, I would have done the same (bought it without a doubt). Its certainly a very stylish motorcycle. Enjoy it. Thanks for sharing this video.
Thanks.
I had a 83' KZ 1100 for awhile, but the darn thing just kept leaking gas. Tank, boots, ..
I just did not have the temperament to rehabilitate it.
I'm glad you ran yours, so I could hear the engine. Mine was noisy too. I didn't know if it was normal.
That being said....
I loved riding it.
Beautiful bike.
Nice you kept it original.You have to pull the clutch in to start all those old Kawi's.
Beautiful!
Leno Olivarez
You don't need to apologize for the condition of that bike. I had that bike new in 83 and loved it. I rode it from Columbus, Ga. to Bayard, Nebraska in 1984 while I was in the military. I rolled it in 85 when the rear brake grabbed hard while making a right turn. There was sand in the road and I could not keep it up, so I totaled it. That is my wife's picture by the way.
Deborah King Thanks for watching, and for your service to our country.
Not starting without the clutch pulled is a fairly common safety feature, not an electrical fault (my '81 KZ1100 also has this feature).
Beautiful bike. Love it.
Super cool. I'm a Harley guy but I basically like any on 2 wheels. Love this bike it screams 80s.. I'm surprised though it's not liquid cooled. My buddy's dad had an 82 750 like this. Backed then alot of 750s n the road because of the tariffs
very clean. Looks great
greetings from south africa. what a nice bike
@Ericbbv You would need either shorter rear shocks, or a bracket to relocate the stock shock mounts to lower the rear the front forks could be slipped in the tripple trees a little or change the fork springs. Thanks for watching and for your question!
Beautiful
Nice work.
Very nice, thanks for sharing the details.
After so long hope you still have the bike, just wanted to say if you haven’t done it yet, you can bypass the clutch, remove the switch and connect the wires and let them connected, you will never need to press clutch again to start it.
Nice one,saw one of these parked up at the local Grand Pricks motor racing event.
So cool!
Had a new one had 7/10’s of a mile on it when I bought it beautiful smooth bike drive shaft very very fast
That thing looks good for it's age! Gotta be getting tough to find anyone that can still sync carbs...
probably have to to travel of you can't yourself sure enough.
This was my first street bike moving from dirt to street back in 1992. Spooky fast in the day. I actually sold it because I feared fro my safety. Looked just like this one.
Very fast bike , that thing was mean in n it's day
This bike is awesome!!!
Nice job!
Sure, Just let me know how I can help. The best advice is to start with a bike that is already a nice bike. This bike was nice when I got it. You will end up with a better result. Thanks again.
Yes I'm buying a 1982 kawasaki kz1100 spectre that I have to finish putting together I hope it looks half as good as yours the guy I'm buying it from it had a blown motor when he bought it he tore it down bought all the parts to rebuild it with and don't have time to mess with it anymore so he put it up for sell Saturday morning I seen it and he decided that I would be the right person for the bike I'm 51 years old I can't wait to get it put together and own my own bike again I have over 30 years experience of riding them I just haven't owned my own in 20 something years my friends alway let me borrow theirs it's a great birthday present to my self and I'll take care of it and enjoy it to I like the older bikes myself
very nice job! Good call to go to work on this one!
Just watched the video for the first time. I am sure by now you were let in on a little secret : it is pronounced spec-ter.
I am going to pick one up this Wed. The 1100 model is awesome, and difficult to find in good condition. I love early and mid-eighties bikes, especially Honda, but I could not resist the SPECTRE. Just like James Bond can not resist beautiful women !!
Next time I am around Houston, I will have to stop by and see that the Spectre.
I always liked this bike but dont think they were sold in england. Never seen one here. Good job mate nice bike
I had one of these bike in 1999 it was fast lovely for travelling it the first time l got three points on my licence 34 Mike per hour in London e15 near Bow fly over l paid £1.850.00 Fr this bike l only got it to go camping with me mates I had the bike two year then sold it on did see it at High beach Loughton where bike lads met up then l move back to the North East some one in Walthamstow got this bike l see it in Howard' Road Walthamstow E17 if you read this mate you got a good bike in 2000.
That's awesome!
Thanks for your comments. The ZRX is an awesome bike. I am looking for a nice clean low mileage 1200.
nice work!
WOW! Hope you are still running this dream machine,i own a 550 spectre after four years of searching I only found a knew exhaust and tank,both are for the LTD .spectre knew is non existing.i did find quite a few other major arterial parts though knew.These are the only bikes I love.owned a Vulcan 1700,liked it,triumph loved the prestige,the kz series are far most my love since 14 years old,my room was plastered.i am now 48,my dream machine you own,please let me know if you ever want to part with it.
No, the motor sounds fine in person. The camera just picks up some noises better than others. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I need a back rest for the driver is there anyway I can put on on my 1982 kz 1100 spectre
That bikes sweet.
I have a csr 650 I'm gradually restoring to decent lol
cool bike
Those are really pretty , Spectre is like a ghost or something...Kaw had all kinds of variety around that time..Ltd , CSR, Mk2, ZI Classic...and more im sure..lol
Oh yeah the raised white letters are a must on that particular machine, it just works...
Yea, man buy that bad boy. They are great bikes and will only be going up in value. Best of luck! Thanks.
Do you remember the color that you used in the end to paint the motor. I know you said duplicolor but what color did you decide on please?
Recognize that bike....wonder why... Yeah, I got one! =) Far from the beautiful condition as yours though. I LOVE that gorgeous machine! Good work!
Very nice
Gorgeous
I have the 1982 750n Spector just like that. Love it....... but my baby is a 1987 ZL1000A1 with only about 3,000 on it. So the 750 get driven.
Had a 750....red ....great Bike
Love your bike man.... I love the old 70's and 80's Kawasaki. I had a 1980 KZ 650 and it was awesome. When you started this bike I thought I heard a valve out of adjustment... was this the case or was it something else? Great bike!
Yes, you are correct. But I live in Texas and we say it the other way. Thanks for watching.
Thanks!
I had one. what a great bike it was. could ride 500 miles no issue. I now have a zrx1200r. as close to the kz11 I could find. I would prefer the kz11. but the zrx is a monster to ride.
Nice bike ive had mine since new and i am doing the same, down to the frame re-build to out of the create new. William, if i have any questions, would you mind helping me out?
I will upgrade to a newer one if possible; like a 1979/ 1980 /1981. Thanks Jeff
where did you get the new boots for the carbs?
Nice 😊
what paint did you get for the motor im working on restoring a 1982 kawasaki spectre
I had the 750 like that with red color
I know what you feel. Years ago I sold a 73 KZ900 Z1 for $700. It is now worth many thousands!
carbooraytid? nice. good old speck trees
What color did you wind up with for the engine?
i have a 1982 1100 with 8,600 miles on it mines maroon red and black
Man I had the same one rode it from Atlanta georgia to Orlando Florida so many times lost count, loved that bike
love what uv done with that spectre. ive got the 83 750 spectre and it looks exactly like urs. colors, stile, everything. it was a true barn find. been sitting for years. with only 14,xxx miles. cleaned it up and got it running. runs like new.. could u help me in finding out the value of this ole bikes. i cant find anything about em. i was gonna bob it but i cant bring myself to chop up such a nice vintage bike. thanks for any help u can provide
Yes, please don't cut your bike up. My advice is keep it as origianl as possible. They don't have to perfect or original to be enjoyed. Make it runs as good as possible, clean up what you can and ride it! I wish you the best. Thanks!
My XS1100 wants the clutch pulled to start.
Love that bike. It was my second bike. It almost killed me or rather, I almost killed me on that bike. Sure would like to get another one tho.
What paint did you use?
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hello.
Do you still have this old rusted gas tank from this Spectre ?
I would like to buy that
your side covers look like mine the clears coming off
The clutch is a safety thing, where it cant be started in gear or anything so have have clutch pulled in
anybody know where I can get a right side cover for this
how big is this bike? i found one but i'm only 5'2
too tall for you… i bought one off a guy about that height and he was tiptoeing in pronounced heel boots
mine is just being restored little by little, but someday ... it will run again
is it fast??
HELLO william I just got one of these bikes would you be my mentor at bringing her back to life ?
Can't find any for sale. My dad owned one... still my favorite bike.
There is one for sale on Thornton Co. craigslist, an untitled complete Spectre its a 750 though. The seller only wants $300, and it runs and goes. I might need to go get it this weekend.
gold paint?
9 years later you prolly got this shit done a long time ago but just drop that side cover off at a pain shop. They will make it look better than brand new. Got the same exact bike. I actually got the 82 and the 83 models. Had a custom paint body shop repaint my side covers and tank to look brand new.
Cool accent, love the pronunciation of spectre, "Spectorey". It's pronounced Specter lol. Very nice bike though. Aaa+
Sorry to have to correct you but, It's not a Speck Tree. It's a Speck Ter. Rhymes with Lecter, as in Hannibal.
Engine start 7:00
my tires only last a few months personally... well the rear I'm lucky to get over 5k miles and the front last around 15
Anybody have a 1977 Suzuki GS550 ? I need a lot of parts. Trying to get it running again as I have another bike that is too heavy for me as I am getting older I need to get back on the road again before July gets here. Jeff
👍👍🇺🇸
Some Triumphs have to have the clutch pulled in to start them, once started there fine not sure why?
The 1983 Spectre has a safety Switch on the clutch lever (You can see it on the video) that requires the clutch lever to be pulled in to start it. The one I bought had it removed already and I am glad it is gone. Good for beginners but beginners should not be riding a 108hp, 143mph rated bike like this fine beast!
Pronounced specter, regardless of spelling! Just like honda sabre is not sa-bree its saber, just thought i'd point that out.
Nice color scheme. But it's pronounced Specter like a ghost or Phantom. Not Spectree. Hope you're still riding it. I have the 82 burgundy color scheme.
a HWPW moter cycle. a hiighway patrol motor cycle.
Beautifull bike.......ugly wristwatch. LOL. Just playin'. Good video.
this is nice i want to get another motorcycle that my wife and ride with me. i have a sportbike now and its not very practical for her being 5ft 1
thats a great looking bike i gotta say, however you should take some scotch brite and rub that corrosion off of the front brake caliber