I BOUGHT the CHEAPEST KZ1000 on EBAY and RESTORED it! WAS IT WORTH IT?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2020
- My story of my classic and iconic vintage Japanese motorcycle, a 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000 began when I discovered it as the CHEAPEST KZ I could find on EBay, for the final price of $1,100 back in 2001. The ad said it merely needed a “good carb job,” but a after a six hour drive to get it we found this a full KZ1000 restoration and engine rebuild was needed. I’m far from a professional mechanic, so this demanding project needed to be done in stages. We will tell you about why we bought the bike, how we developed the love for KZ1000s, the struggles with the restoration along the way and how it ended up in the shop of world record holding Top Fuel Motorcycle drag racing Larry “Spiderman” McBride’s shop getting an 1197 c.c. engine with MTC Pistons, Web camshafts, APE Race Parts, Mikuni 34 mm carbs, a Pingel petcock and more. Enjoy the story of our KZ1000 restomod.
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Thank you Jack Mike from NJ 63 years old.. you inspire me to get my 78 KZ1000 back on the road... Apart since 1992.(29 years)Stripped down completely except for engine and frame. Hoping to film the project start in the spring. Old KZ’s never die 🏍🏍
Get it done man!
Owned a 1978 KZ1000 in green.. Loved that bike. Took it to Dayton Bike Week in 1996. Gave $1000 for the bike. That was back in the day where you paid a $1 per cc for the older bikes. Many good memories.. I miss her so much..💙
Same thing almost for me. About the same year I bought an 80' ltd 1000. However right at the moment I'm gettin' er back together with a 1075 bore, a port job, cams and smoothbores. Been years since it was put away. Can't wait to hear it growl again.
I am a SUPER FAN!!!!!!, same color as my last paint job. Exactly. Your dads drag hike is BADASS ...GREAT LOOKER and the sound....second to none.
FELL IN LOVE WITH IT WHEN I SAW IT WAHEN I WAS A KID. NOW I HAVE A 2015 Z1000 SX. ❤
Like you my pops had kz's, a 900 then a Ltd later on. And like you I got the kz bug from him my first bike was a 77 kz650 in the year 2000. It did have a 4 into 1 kerker on it already. It needed some basic work done to it as it had sat for years, just tires/carbs nothing crazy. Rode it to high school my senior year, ended up selling it later on. Have had many bikes since then 2010 z1000, sv1000, a b-king which I sold to get a 21' z900rs and it's like I'm 18 years old all over again, the love for these bikes never goes away. My pops while he is gone now, instilled a life long kz bug, tons of memories, and a love for these bikes that will never die! Love the video!
My first bike was a 1977 KZ1000 …damn it was fast…that was in 1980 and I loved that bike
The Kawasaki KZs changed my life. As a kid I loved Harleys cause that was all I ever spent any time around. Then a guy rolled through on a KZ1000 with a KERKER 4 into 1 open header. The sound was instantly addictive. He let it rip when he left and it was all she wrote. I remember saying thats what I'm gonna ride when I get old enough. I been a Kawboy ever since. My current ride is pictured in my thumbnail, its a nearly mint 97 ZX11. Lots of polished aluminum parts, MICRON full race exhaust, stage 3 jet kit. Otherwise stock mostly lol. Awesome video brother. PEACE!!!!!
Kirker header. Talk about memories. I remember filling in the glass pack.
Oil leaks at base gasket is common on big bores-re o-ring sleeves at bottom,ck for sealing area is true,also some times over size sleeve at bottom get top case to big by machine shop ,co clearence,cool bike!
Man, I love this bike and the story Jack...you must feel honored and humbled to know and receive such good help from those awesome people over the years...good for you man, you seem like one of those awesome dudes yourself so I'd say you deserve that bike man!....
I have always loved bikes of all kinds, Harley's, European, Japanese. My first ride on a motorcycle was when my older cousin took me for a ride on his KZ900. I still remember that over 30 years ago.
Love these bikes! My first Kaw was a 1983 KZ 305 I bought new at 17 years old. This was my high school bike. My dad had a late 1970's KZ 900 at 17 I took my dads bike for a ride and my love affair with Kawasaki's began. One day I am going to buy a Old School KZ 1000 and punch it out to a 1200. Cool bike bro!
Very cool family story and bike. You hooked me to go look for one. Thank you!
Thanks Jack Mike from New Jersey my 78 KZ 1000 been in storage since 1992 thanks for the motivation I think it’s about time I put it back together and get it on the road. Thanks for the video. 🏍🏍
My friend got one of these for free with only 5000 miles on it. Literally still has the break in sticker on the gauge cluster. I just ordered a full carb rebuild kit for it, new tires and a couple odds and ends. It's a 78 kz1000 ltd. I'm so excited to start riding again!
I had an 80 model LTD like the black/silver one at the drag. Loved these bikes & the LTD just had a perfect look & sound w/ a kercker.
Great story man. Ill never forget my buddy finally got his 75 kz1000 and pulled up next to me in my gto and blew me away. Beautiful bikes so glad to see so many of them being brought back to life. Keep those stories coming. Fix that beautiful bike and make a place in the house for it!
Helluva nice bike, I have a '76 kz 900 LTD with the same set up as yours, you're so right, OLD KAW'S NEVER DIE!!!
I own a 77 KZ1230 now myself. Lots of fun. Gonna bring it back out after 5 years. Ready!
awesome video jack, and awesome bike!
I had one same color many years ago i miss it so much i have had a lot of bikes but kz 1000 is the best of the best not joking
the reason your KZ sounds sooo good is the Vance & Hines pipe. I love them. have a V&H Supersport with a race baffle on my '01 Katana 600.
I bought a new z900rs because it reminded me of my teenager owned 77 kz1000a. I liked riding the new RS so much, I pulled the trigger on a 77 kz1000 LTD on Craigslist for $5500, 11k miles. Been working on it off and on all winter with new high compression pistons and a lot of little custom touches like LED lights all around. I can't wait to run it around the island.
Didn't know you had one of those. Awesome man!
I built a '77 years back and it looked nearly identical to yours. That was back in the days when Ninja's were the thing. No one would race me. Dipped it into the 9's "one" time in the quarter. Yours is a beautiful bike.
Cool story! I grew up going to a local drag strip myself. Picked up garbage after the races for $25. It's now Top End Drag ways in the middle of nowhere MN.
Oh my god! The saet!! 😱. The rest of the bike is very nice restored. Good work
Yeah love it bro mine was the same half resto and looked fantastic👍🙂
Love the Kz in all it's sizes but of course it's the 1000 that is the one that has to be the most awesome ride ! Yes had a few friends that had them but I was never ever able to achieve one myself but still would like to have one of my very own today still ! Jack enjoy your Kaw !😊😊😊😊
Nice ride!!!!!!
Cool man! Atco, my favorite track to race at. Love the Pingel.😉
Dang sharp bike i had a 77 kz 900 and ive said this since ive rode every bike from a to z the kz was the fastest bike ive rode it had a 1135 kit and nitrous so it was bad fast love the channel keep them kzs alive
Love it I had 76 kz 900 and kz650
No thank you for the video, I still have my 79 1000 LTD it needs a little bit of TLC but your video motivates me to get it going. I just found a picture of the day I bought Valentine's day 1979 lol. And what a beautiful bike you have.
I had an 80 model new,the 79 &80 looked the best to me,beautiful paint jobs on them. I so miss that bike.
Great looking Kaw man! I actually have three. '78 for parts, '79 is a drag set up, and a stock '80 model for casual riding. All need a lot of work before I start riding them again. I've had offers to buy them, but, I just haven't been able to part with them. Hoping I can start on them soon and make them look as good as your bike. Right now I've been enjoying my Harley Davidson. Enjoy your time on it. There's no other ride like it. Be safe, be careful, ride free.
Thanks jack, im one who love to bring back older bikes ive had several old cb750s and a kz1000 the bike that i just got finished is a 1989 ninja zx600c bought for 250 out of a basement, trying to teach my kids to save the old kaws
My younger brother's FIRST bike was a '76 KZ900 ... in the dark brown metallic. He LOVED the bike, and learned to ride it very well...
But his first job after college was in Dallas, TX... and the streets were paved mostly with concrete, and by the time you added lots of dust on top of slick concrete, it wasn't a good place to ride ... so he ended up selling it.
Since then, he has moved back to the Atlanta sub-suburbs... and when Kawasaki introduced the Z900RS 'Retro-Bike'... in the Same color as his '76... he went to the local Dealer and placed his order! The day the bike arrived at the dealer, they put it together and gave him a call -- a couple of days BEFORE it was to be Officially Released for sale... and he went there at 8pm to get his new bike. His closest friend and riding buddy in Dallas did the Same Thing... and they both got their bikes 2 days early!
The side-story is that an acquaintance of mine has lost part of his vision, and can no longer ride... and he has a Patriot Blue '77 that he bought new, still in the crate, and didn't even assemble it for a couple of years... and since it was new, it has been garage-kept and only has about 7,000 miles on it. He now wants to go ahead and sell it, but I don't know what is a fair price for it. I don't want to be unfair to him, nor do I want to spend too much, or be stuck with constant tuning of 4 carbs. ( I am admittedly 'spoiled' with my EFI /ECU trouble-free Yamaha FZ1. Not to mention the 160 hp vs the 82 hp of the KZ900.)
Great bike! We are restoring one almost identical to this one right down to the color.
You might consider adding an oil cooler at some point; these run awfully hot in traffic.
As a kid the KZ was the king of cool. A guy up the street had one and he would get on it once he pulled out of the neighborhood. There is just nothing that sounds as good as the KZ"s. There was something special about them.
I have 75’ Z1b sitting with a place of honor in my garage. Mines almost in the same shade of blue (Buick Aqua Marine blue). Got the ubiquitous 4/1 header to awaken the dead. 💀 Shes in great shape but I’m at the point where I’m ready to do a full frame up resto. I think I’ll hold back on punching out the bore and just keep it as near original as possible. I don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
Of course old kwakas never die , i had a 77 z1000a for 20yrs and still own a z1a and now building another z1000a, the toecutters black bike from madmax
Great bike Jack! Hope to see you at Numidia Harley Drags in August!!
It's about time we see Jack's baby. That thing is badass. You did a damn good job.👍👍👍👍💪💪
thank you so much
Sorry to burst anyone's bubble but if they think that the Z1 of 72 was the very first Superbike to ever be given the title/name "Superbike".. they need to do more research because that title goes to the 1969 Honda CB750 sand-cast, which is the true original Superbike ever to be called a "Superbike"
These are one of the best old school bikes.
Good looking bike Jack, I bought my KZ back in 78, still own it and everyone that sees it wants it. NOT FOR SALE, sorry. Great video Jack.
My brother had his rebuilt to look just like that, he has a brown ltd/kz1000 now. My brother and I were so inspired as kids, we found toys replicas and they were blue like that, we used to draw those bikes I mean to the exact look.
God bless love the bike! Come to New Jersey one day for a show man. I need one of them cycledrag shirts
My sister's boyfriend had a 650, same awesome blue color. I believe he bought it brand new. He sold it to my brother. At 18 years old in Southern California I got to drive that thing everywhere. Nothing more cool than only 13 miles to Huntington Beach.
I love that bike. I'm looking to buy a late 70s Kawasaki. My problem is it's been a really long time since I did any wrenching. And my biggest fear is the engines sitting around for a long time, front shocks and seals, that kind of stuff.
It's either that or just by myself a retro Kawasaki with all the new goodies. Thoughts anybody?
Man watching this makes me miss my old 1977 kz 650 I know it's not the 1000 but when ever I got on mine even if I was just going to the corner store that is 2 miles away I was always gone for over a hour I would get lost on my kz
THATS ME WITH THE GROUP!
my first bike was a 84 440. then a 82 1100 spectre d2. miss that one
My uncle still has his 1976 green KZ900 that he bought brand new. I remember my father being piss because he know his 1976 Honda CB750 couldn't beat it lol. I was only 6yrs and still remember the day my uncle come over our house with it.
I have a 1988 KZ1000-P that needs a bit of an engine rebuild... It runs, and runs well, but there's a noise that's nagging me and I don't want to just go and fix just the noise. While the engine's apart, I'm going to rebuild it entirely. The KZ1000-P uses the KZ1000-J model engine which is the best of the KZ Big Fours engines. Exceptionally high end. Even as tired as it is with 63,000 miles, I get 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. 0-90 in 6 seconds.
was born in 77 and was first bike i got to get a ride on and still faster than 75% of anything ever made on 2 Wheels even after 40+ years still going to get a crowd at any bike night and Harley Guys have to respect to any kz and the 6 cylinder you have covered looks like a factory built motorcycle and seeing a guy was able to do it surely Kawisaki factory could have but it was out front with only 4 cylinders so i understand told buddy about rd350s &400s are where banshee gets its motor from and a 4 sp rd trans in banshee will deliver better racing ratio as you don't need 5th
I was around these bikes at a young age my uncle had them fast as heck 900s 1000s and one of 500 3 cylinder 2 strokes he made me buy one off him when I was 19 I’m 47 now the neighborhood knows when I start it up lol mine is a 78 kaw kz1000
Love it , I’ve purchased a 1982 Kz1 , a right mess . So I also have stripped it down completely . I’ve never done anything like it so I’m learning as I go . I found they put z1100 sleeves and pistons , so am happy about it . So not sure what size jets I need in the carbs , got pods and 4/1 stubby, would appreciate any advice . Love your story gives me encouragement. Thank you , keep burning .
Ditch the pods they just don’t breathe, use a high flow air box, it’ll make your carbs work so much better and easier to tune and synchronize.
Wrightsville Pennsylvania looks like a cool town.
man that was great/ i got 78 and 79 kawa ltd/ 1000/ nothing like old school
I just picked up a 78 kz 1000, the almost if not the same color , same carbs -1075 kit .
I picked it up in Indiana also. I need to dial in the carbs .
Kawaka fever has no cure stay infected and ride safe and when someone says nice bike, gigle coz you have and ride legends. Zpower live on ride on
I had the kz1000 1980 model wished I still had it
Awesome story. An was that the old keystone raceway park off 22 in Pa? I live in latrobe and remember going there as a kid until they changed it to Pittsburgh race way. But we all still know it as keystone raceway.
Had no idea this was you , I remember this bike from campus at UF! I have a KZ1000P I did a resto on a long time ago it was spewing oil from everywhere! I am going to go through it again soon full frame. Stay safe bro and Go Gators!
Omg small world! Did we ever cross paths?!
@@cycledrag small world indeed! We could have, I've been involved with 2 wheels riding and racing my whole life. Just stumbled into the channel I enjoyed watching a few vids already, keep them coming on the KZ love those old bikes! Do you come this way much anymore?
I've caught several of you're videos lately so I subbed. I had an 80LTD like the one at the drags,also a 81 900F Honda new back in the day.
Its all about love
Woo hoo i love em
Have you heard of Tom Klemme in Davenport, IA? He's legendary!!
I have lol my dads Brian Hopkins (hoppy) from out at Cordova
@@CHUCKNORRIZSFOOT hope Cordove gets rollin again this year
My brother in law had a green KZ900
Im buying a 77-79 kz1000 drag bike thats set for the last few years,buying it for 1200$ and gonna put 3-4k into it and put it back on the dragstrip
Sometimes life get's in the way, my why I chose a 1976 KZ900 green with yellow gold stripes, just look at the Kawasaki Z1 Documentary, So Far So Fast, it will tell you all you need to know as
to why in a span of 5 years I owned three, 1976 KZ900 1979 KZ1000 MRII, 1981 KZ1100 shaft touring, my greatest regret not keeping any, sometimes life gets in the way.
The Captain
The night rider was his name, remember it when you look up at the night sky.
That thing is pretty
I got my 78 kz1000 for $1200 like 7 years ago came with a parts bike
8:51 is where the actual rebuild starts.
You talking about the Keystone off of RT22 in Pa? I grew up about 20 minutes from there. Bought several bikes from Z&M.
Yes sir
where did you find it looks just like mine i sold in t.n. same color sovereign blue
Have 74 supercharged z1
My buddy had a 76 kz900 zero to a hundred and first and second gear
You will have a much cleaner throttle response running the factory air box. The filters your running create improper air flow, been there done that. Just saying.
We had Two 1976 Kawasaki 900's...
I had a 1976 900 bought in Ocala Florida I had no idea what was underneath me when I bought it LOL ! I'm 66 years all I can hope now is when I die they have them in heaven and Jesus is a motorcycle !!! 😂
Hey I have a 1977 K-z 900 and looking to restart it been sitting around for 20 years need to know we're can I take it
Gotta tell ya Jack. You gotta lotta parts from two or three different motorcycles there.wheels single disck seat tank bars front brake system rear caliper rear fender signals. Just alot! Sorry...still looks nice!
S/o to atco raceway!!!!! I hope they didn’t close the track I hope they keep it open smh
What is it they say about old Kaws?
Hey guys you posted on another video about some parts available and I'm looking for a carb for a 81 kz1000 model j. If you can point me in a positive direction it be much appreciated. That bike is awesome and I'm located in Westmoreland!! 👍😎
The man’s phone number is in that video
Are you going to drag race the kz?
I have one got it for free I love it
Looks empty on left side of bike. I prefer having exhaust on both sides of bike to give it that equal exhaust look.
Nice clean KZ1000 ...
I had one after high school and I want it back!!! LoL. I'm older now and I'm looking to buy one if you happen to know anybody selling one please hit me up. Thanks 👍🏻
I wouldn't call the Kawasaki Z-1 the smallblock chevy of the horsepower ring, that Z-1 motor is equivalent to the original 426 Chrysler HEMI, the reason why, weather Daytona, road courses, or dragstrip, it was successfully ran a won tons of races!!!
Funny,I thought the same thing. I had an 80 LTD 1000& a 350 in a Corvette & its a great comparison.
Do old kaws ever die?
Yamaha tw?
Chrome always flakes off alumin(i)um eventually
The problem of driving 100s of miles to look at/buy a bike. When you get there and the bike is s**t it`s so hard to turn around empty handed
light it up
I still ride my 77 A1 so it makes my brain hurt to see all that B1 stuff on your bike. Leave that LTD stuff on the LTDs.
WELL ILL JUST BE DAMNED
Gday Jack from Beautiful sunny Queensland Australia, Love the vids mate! some of my favourite viewing pleasure ... I am also a Kawasaki Z lover !!!! I have a 74 900 , 78 1000 , 84 GPZ 900 and a selection of other classics ..... A 98 Harley Dyna , 73 Norton 850 commando , 80 Triumph Bonneville just to name 1 of each of many HAHAHA More bikes than brains .... So I have come across a guy on youtube from Wadsworth Ohio "Johnny's vintage motorcycles" ... And what this man knows about Kawasaki Z's is Truly mind blowing if you've not heard or seen of him{a link below} I highly recommend you check him out or even better catch up do a vid that would be Awesome !!! Thanks Heaps for the hours of fine viewing and keep up the GREAT Work . I look forward to whats next Cheers Darryl th-cam.com/video/fvLKBk7Xcq0/w-d-xo.html
Jack, tribodyn oil would probly help that oil leak man...Tatromachine.com....have you ever heard of tribodyn oil?....super high end synthetic....probly better than amsoil
I love The Z1 900 not A or B that is the one for me. I have just got a Z 1000 because that is what they call them in the UK, the LTD and KZ are different bikes and different bikes and the LTD is Not worth half the price of a KZ over here, and the 1000 is not worth as much as a 900. The bike you have there is a LTD or KZ LTD Not a KZ it has LTD wheels and seat. Or maybe I am wrong.
It looks full LTD except the front fender. LTD had a shorter,rounder fender,but seat,bars,chrome chain guard & tail are all LTD,I had an 80 model.