I have owned about 30 bikes in the 44 years since my first. My favorite was a 1977 KZ1000 LTD. It had the most comfortable riding position I have experienced on a motorcycle. I logged about 140,000 miles on that bike before stress cracks in the frame made it unsafe.
30bikes? Guess we are the same age but I only had 7.My first drive on a motorcycle was from my brother in law. He had a Kawasaki LTD440. He got me;-) My future was clear. With 50 I got me a Fiat Panda for 2 years. Just for the lagguage. Besides that I drove my whole live on two wheels
yes the movie of all movies I loved the bikes and cars .hell it's how I always built my stuff since seeing that movie at 10 yrs old .my 93 notch mustang looks like it was in the movie it self. lol ...hell yeah ..I want that bike
i used to have a Z1R with a hotter cam than standard it was a animal it was terrifying when you crossed a white line at 90 mph the frame would flex and wobble i loved it , glad you are going to ride it.
Yeah they are great bikes for sure! I actually did a video on one that I picked up a while back. Ended up selling it to a police officer who wanted to use it when he was off duty
Very nice job. Lots of memories coming back. I had a 1976 KZ900 with the same header. Polished and ported, 29 mm smooth bore carbs, velocity stacks, no filters. Spoke wheels, red LTD tank, rear fender and seat. Looked just like an LTD basically except for the side panels. 105 HP. 3rd in world class drags at Knoxville, IA 1978. 137 was the fasted I got it up to. At that speed, the front wheel about shook me apart. The burn outs, the wheelies through 4th gear. The races won on the street... A kid in a 70 Cuda 440 6pack raced me one time just to see the bike launch. His hole shot was priceless. I watched most of it from the street light ahead. (; Thanks a lot.
I'm a road couch kinda guy, owning a Yamaha Royal Star tour deluxe an 840 lb touring cruiser, but that thing is badass! I wouldn't mind owning one of those it looks like a blast to ride!
Whatever you decide to do with that bike, just remember they're classic motorcycles!!! I have a '77 KZ 1000, and 3 more!!! The others are a '74 Z-1 900A, '75 Z-1 900B, and a '76 KZ900 LTD, my advise to you and other owner, restore these bikes, it's well worth it!!!
@@TerribleTerry5 Hi sir, tnx for mesagge, no, I did no't find exhaust, still looking, hope I'will manage to find him, bike is paint in original color, just exhaust, hope you are fine, best rgds, Petar. 😊😊
My 2nd bike brand new from dealer 2895.00 fastest production mc you could buy,i was a bad dude.rode her 40000 miles sold her for 1450 to buy an 82 kz1000J had that one for 30 years 85000 miles loved em both
Your video captures the fun of owning one of these hoon bikes. I doubt many people take their Z1 out to play since they are so "collectible" but the KZ is still a ride it, don't hide it bike...for now.
Yeah they are definitely a blast to ride! This bike gets a ton of attention even though it's kind of dirty and beat up. Love the way it looks like that though. Maybe one day I'll restore it and tuck her away.
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow I hear ya. I've heard a hundred stories "I always wanted one" and "I had one back in..." and my favorite "My first police bike when I joined the force was a KZ1000, please sign here, this is not an admission of guilt..." 😜
My 1973 Z1 was the first bike I ever owned. Awesome and bulletproof. When I was laid off I sold it to a guy who sold his when he was laid off. I wish I had his cellphone #.
Man I swear you and I are like the same person! I love buying vintage vehicles and fixing them and driving them for a while. Love the the Kz man! That bike is awesome! If I met you I feel like we would be best friends. I ride an 06 KTM 525 supermoto, drive a notchback mustang and a 77 Highboy F250. I’ve been turning Wrenches since I was a kid. I live on the west side of the state in Pittsburgh. you have an awesome channel here, when you talk and give us your opinion on things is what makes your videos good. You guys rock!👊🏼
Kz1000 and gs1100/1150 were the kings. Still heavily dragraced to this day although the Hayabusa has taken over as stock they make 170+hp at the wheel with just pipe, air box mod, and pwr commander. Have you ever been to an all motorcycle dragrace and seen what’s possible with them? We put big block cylinders out to 15-1600cc, monster head work, cams all the same builds as car racers do. Nitrous turbos even a few blowers have been built. Judging off what I see you working on you’d love the bike drags (that is if you aren’t already familiar with them ). Test and tune night usually will have a handful of bikes at any local drag-strip but if you go to a sanctioned weekend meet like xda or the like that’s where you will see the max effort fastest spare no expense bikes!
That is a childhood favorite. z1000A1, the original z1 and later the z1000J (because of #21 Eddie Lawson, of course). Even crappy ones (z1 and z1000A1) are pricey in Sweden. And you ride like you actually deserve to own one too. Hats off.
Many years ago , I had a chance to buy a similar bike, but, I needed a car instead. Wish I would have bought the bike ! Now, I ride an Indian FTR1200. I love these old Kaws !
Should have scooped it for sure! These things are bringing in big money now. And that's cool, I've yet to ever ride an Indian. They look awesome though
My first street legal motorcycle was a 73 Kowalski Z1 900cc world class 546# dry 86hp I bought it in 86 with only a few thousand miles on it, took it to East Coast Kawasaki had it serviced put around 10k miles on it in a couple of years, sold it to a friend bought a new ZX 11 at East Coast Kawasaki, couple of great bikes
Great video, I just found ya on CZcams. I really like the work you do between the bikes and cars. If you can do some vintage yamahas, I'm big into the yamahas. Look for vmax 1200cc and xs1100s. Man I love them lol
Scrapped one of these when young in the late 80s...Didn't have the wherewithal to get a title for it... But in the process I gained a great respect for Kawasaki as engineers. It is truly built to be bulletproof. And uh yeah, it is an air cooled engine, don't keep it running so long with no air flow ... it's hot??? DUH
As an owner of 7 zeds you dont retire them you ride them , hard , all the 4 cylinder zeds are awesome and getting expensive to buy here in Australia, enjoy riding it bro
Awesome vid.....love kawys.... unfortunately I sold my 84 gpz 750 30 yrs ago....such a awesome bike....got about 90k on my 2003 750 magna...it's been a great bike...but it ain't no GPZ.......I do like the newer z90ORCs !......north Texas
These kz 1000 go for anywhere from 5k to 12k now days. I have a bunch of these bikes. Kz 650 kz 305 kz 900 kz 1000. I'm after a 1100 or a turbo 6 cylinder now
Awesome i had a 78 kz 650 and that bitch was fast as hell..then i got the 900 ltd..freaking classic bikes..they dont make em like they used to thats for sure..
Man I wish I were with you back then. Looked like a great bike. I dunno how long it’d last before it needs some major mechanical work?? Too expensive to pay someone to do it. You probably sold it for $1500? $1900?
I inherited my fathers 78 Ltd 1000. It’s almost mint condition with 8500 miles on it. He was the original owner. I’m too scared to enjoy it. I had a ninja 750r I rode the crap out of before my 8 year old daughter was born.
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow my kz 750 was OK , it did 11.3 in the quarter at Atco in NJ. Not fast enough. Lmao. The screamin demon. It was tagged, not by me by previous owner. Still tho I wish I kept the bike.
That bike was a King of Beasts back in the day... That GS1100E was a Monster as well. Ridden both. She's a Classic that needs some resto...
I have owned about 30 bikes in the 44 years since my first. My favorite was a 1977 KZ1000 LTD. It had the most comfortable riding position I have experienced on a motorcycle. I logged about 140,000 miles on that bike before stress cracks in the frame made it unsafe.
Wow, that's crazy! Lot of miles. Yeah they are definitely great bikes
30bikes? Guess we are the same age but I only had 7.My first drive on a motorcycle was from my brother in law. He had a Kawasaki LTD440. He got me;-) My future was clear. With 50 I got me a Fiat Panda for 2 years. Just for the lagguage.
Besides that I drove my whole live on two wheels
Don’t ever retire that bike man, that bike is badass! Hope to see you on it more this year
Yeah I guess I'll have to just start storing her in the garage. No more outside storage
This thing would fly...I loved my 78 with a Kerker on.
Mine was red.
I love those classic super bikes. It was such an interesting concept. Plus your kz 1000 reminds me of the first mad max movie. Wicked cool man
yes the movie of all movies I loved the bikes and cars .hell it's how I always built my stuff since seeing that movie at 10 yrs old .my 93 notch mustang looks like it was in the movie it self. lol ...hell yeah ..I want that bike
Back in the day this Bike was the bomb! Fast and quick !
i used to have a Z1R with a hotter cam than standard it was a animal it was terrifying when you crossed a white line at 90 mph the frame would flex and wobble i loved it , glad you are going to ride it.
The bike sounds great!
No... it sounds perfect!
This is a keeper it’s a solid base for an awesome rebuild / overhaul
I love those old kawa’s
My first was a 82 sr 650 but the last 30 years i have a h2zxr 750 ‘91
Had an 81 CSR & 82 1000LTD..LOVED EM!
Cool bike..needs some TLC before the rust gets out of hand.
I once owned a kz1000P and it was the most reliable bike I ever owned. The police version was smooth and powerful
Yeah they are great bikes for sure! I actually did a video on one that I picked up a while back. Ended up selling it to a police officer who wanted to use it when he was off duty
Nothing sounds like a old school Kawasaki, i got a 77 kz1000 A1 ....keep ripping brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very nice job. Lots of memories coming back. I had a 1976 KZ900 with the same header. Polished and ported, 29 mm smooth bore carbs, velocity stacks, no filters. Spoke wheels, red LTD tank, rear fender and seat. Looked just like an LTD basically except for the side panels. 105 HP. 3rd in world class drags at Knoxville, IA 1978. 137 was the fasted I got it up to. At that speed, the front wheel about shook me apart. The burn outs, the wheelies through 4th gear. The races won on the street... A kid in a 70 Cuda 440 6pack raced me one time just to see the bike launch. His hole shot was priceless. I watched most of it from the street light ahead. (; Thanks a lot.
Hahaha “I watched it from the light ahead “ nice!
I'm a road couch kinda guy, owning a Yamaha Royal Star tour deluxe an 840 lb touring cruiser, but that thing is badass! I wouldn't mind owning one of those it looks like a blast to ride!
Whatever you decide to do with that bike, just remember they're classic motorcycles!!! I have a '77 KZ 1000, and 3 more!!! The others are a '74 Z-1 900A, '75 Z-1 900B, and a '76 KZ900 LTD, my advise to you and other owner, restore these bikes, it's well worth it!!!
Hi Nathaniel, where can I' find original exhaust for my Z1r? 4 into 1, It is almost done to original condition.
@@petarpanza7237 Hello I was wondering if you ever found an exhaust.
@@TerribleTerry5 Hi sir, tnx for mesagge, no, I did no't find exhaust, still looking, hope I'will manage to find him, bike is paint in original color, just exhaust, hope you are fine, best rgds, Petar. 😊😊
I'll get a hold of you later today. I just got home from work. Need to go to bed. Lol
If that's OK with you
@@TerribleTerry5 If you find exhaust let me know Terry, tnx, Petar. 😀😊
I have the same year with the same color! It's such a blast. Oh and the same pipe 🤘
My 2nd bike brand new from dealer 2895.00 fastest production mc you could buy,i was a bad dude.rode her 40000 miles sold her for 1450 to buy an 82 kz1000J had that one for 30 years 85000 miles loved em both
That thing sounds awesome !
Yeah that Vance n Hines four into one got a great sound. And can't mistaken that old inline four KZ1000 motor
Makes me remember my first bike, a cb750 -81 if i remember right. Its what i used to get my bike drivers licens.
Those are awesome bikes! My first street bike was a 1982 KZ1000 LTD
Something about an old bike that shows its age but still has a lot of life left. Hopefully in a few days I’m picking up a 81 kz1000
My first bike was a '87 LTD 750 it's was cool... your's is cooler! Love watching it dip forward when you shift. Mine did that too.
I knew a few Bikers United MC that had the KZ1000 in 79 lol would love to own one one day lol
Had a 78 kz 1000 once.had a kerker header.shined the aluminum with mothers and painters steel wool.beautifull bike
Your video captures the fun of owning one of these hoon bikes. I doubt many people take their Z1 out to play since they are so "collectible" but the KZ is still a ride it, don't hide it bike...for now.
Yeah they are definitely a blast to ride! This bike gets a ton of attention even though it's kind of dirty and beat up. Love the way it looks like that though. Maybe one day I'll restore it and tuck her away.
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow I hear ya. I've heard a hundred stories "I always wanted one" and "I had one back in..." and my favorite "My first police bike when I joined the force was a KZ1000, please sign here, this is not an admission of guilt..." 😜
My 1973 Z1 was the first bike I ever owned. Awesome and bulletproof. When I was laid off I sold it to a guy who sold his when he was laid off. I wish I had his cellphone #.
Sounds amazing. Looking forward to more Kawi content.
The real mad max sound 💪👌
that SOUND
that LOOK
gorgeous
am drivin an old z1000ltd since march. just so much fun :)
Man I swear you and I are like the same person! I love buying vintage vehicles and fixing them and driving them for a while. Love the the Kz man! That bike is awesome! If I met you I feel like we would be best friends. I ride an 06 KTM 525 supermoto, drive a notchback mustang and a 77 Highboy F250. I’ve been turning Wrenches since I was a kid. I live on the west side of the state in Pittsburgh. you have an awesome channel here, when you talk and give us your opinion on things is what makes your videos good. You guys rock!👊🏼
Had one from 80-83 sold it to buy New 83 KZ 1000R still own it just found another one owner 78 ,20,000 miles picking up tomorrow! :) Nice Video!
Nice! The 1000R is pretty cool
MAD MAX 1979 !
Kz1000 and gs1100/1150 were the kings. Still heavily dragraced to this day although the Hayabusa has taken over as stock they make 170+hp at the wheel with just pipe, air box mod, and pwr commander. Have you ever been to an all motorcycle dragrace and seen what’s possible with them? We put big block cylinders out to 15-1600cc, monster head work, cams all the same builds as car racers do. Nitrous turbos even a few blowers have been built. Judging off what I see you working on you’d love the bike drags (that is if you aren’t already familiar with them ). Test and tune night usually will have a handful of bikes at any local drag-strip but if you go to a sanctioned weekend meet like xda or the like that’s where you will see the max effort fastest spare no expense bikes!
Saw one tonight doing a burnout, i could not beleve the sound
Nice piece of history you have.! The Z series were beautiful bikes in the 70s.(MadMax, CHIPS). I had a 650.
That is a childhood favorite. z1000A1, the original z1 and later the z1000J (because of #21 Eddie Lawson, of course). Even crappy ones (z1 and z1000A1) are pricey in Sweden. And you ride like you actually deserve to own one too. Hats off.
I love your videos man a lot of gold I'm finding in ya older videos
I appreciate you checking them out and awesome to hear that you enjoy them! Thank you
Hell yes! Love these! CHiPs for the win!
I miss that show! Haha
Absolutely amazing bike I had 1 bought new 1977 mine was a Z1000 wish I still had it
Kz always sound awesome
My first bike was a red 1978 KZ1000 ! Loved that bike.
First sreet bike I ever rode was a KZ1000... I was 13 and would sneak my brothers bike out when everyone was gone.
Was in two minds about watching the burnouts. 'Don't wreck the thing' vs 'cool burn out.'
my dad rode wheelies for miles on his all i heard growing up in same town as old man he paved the way for me to have a target on my back lol !!!
Love those ol' KZ's!
They handle like 1,000goldwing but they where the fastest thing of the time i hade a old gpz and she was really fast those overhead cams where insane
Many years ago , I had a chance to buy a similar bike, but, I needed a car instead. Wish I would have bought the bike ! Now, I ride an Indian FTR1200. I love these old Kaws !
Should have scooped it for sure! These things are bringing in big money now. And that's cool, I've yet to ever ride an Indian. They look awesome though
It was ahead of it's time
Indeed
My first street legal motorcycle was a 73 Kowalski Z1 900cc world class 546# dry 86hp I bought it in 86 with only a few thousand miles on it, took it to East Coast Kawasaki had it serviced put around 10k miles on it in a couple of years, sold it to a friend bought a new ZX 11 at East Coast Kawasaki, couple of great bikes
Wow when I was 17 I bought a old gpz 550 and she was fast as he'll just like this thing to ride but I had small Farren
Great video, I just found ya on CZcams. I really like the work you do between the bikes and cars. If you can do some vintage yamahas, I'm big into the yamahas. Look for vmax 1200cc and xs1100s. Man I love them lol
I loved my 1979 Ltd 1000
I'm eagerly awaiting the fixes you'll do on this bike!
She doesn't really need all too much. There is a little tap in the top end. Might do a video on checking the valve clearence
Bike sounds amazing!
Scrapped one of these when young in the late 80s...Didn't have the wherewithal to get a title for it...
But in the process I gained a great respect for Kawasaki as engineers. It is truly built to be bulletproof.
And uh yeah, it is an air cooled engine, don't keep it running so long with no air flow ... it's hot??? DUH
I remember when it was more pristine, it being outside all this time didn't do it any favors.
Yeah she was definitely much cleaner 10 years ago. I kind of like the beat up aged look though. But I'd like to halt the aging at this point
Love the old iron the best stuff
As an owner of 7 zeds you dont retire them you ride them , hard , all the 4 cylinder zeds are awesome and getting expensive to buy here in Australia, enjoy riding it bro
That could look new over a weekend. I ride my kz650 daily.
I know where to get replacement side covers, just like the originals!!! I love these bikes!!! Everytime I aee one, I go Berserk!!!
This Kawa is legend can still spin 9000rpm though you have the dexterity.)
👍👌👏 Simply fantastic sound and still going strong!
Best regards luck and health.
The rev's I hear make me think of the bikes out of MadMax !!
Awesome vid.....love kawys.... unfortunately I sold my 84 gpz 750 30 yrs ago....such a awesome bike....got about 90k on my 2003 750 magna...it's been a great bike...but it ain't no GPZ.......I do like the newer z90ORCs !......north Texas
These kz 1000 go for anywhere from 5k to 12k now days. I have a bunch of these bikes. Kz 650 kz 305 kz 900 kz 1000. I'm after a 1100 or a turbo 6 cylinder now
Good god you like to thrash things Chris... poor old girl
Has the same body style as the GS750 Suzuki I used to ride in the day. These bikes really moved.
Make a Goose or Toe Cutter replica out of it.
I. Had. One. That. Same. Year win. U. Wore. Riding urs. Those. Memory's wore. Coming. Back. With. Small. Tear. In. My. Eye. Thanks
Just watch your video and I love what you do man ....👍👍👍
Makes me wish I hadn't sold mine 😕
This bike is really cool!
Just got my 77 kz1000 out yesterday!
Sweet
I got myself a 75’. Z1b.
Coolest bike ever.
it was like watching an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage..
Haha That's what's up! He's got some cool toys
i had the baby brother 900 i always wanted the 1000 never could get my hands on a nice one
What a sound i digg it
breh you should take this thing back out of your basement and do another video on it please
@3:42 be like ... eeoou those brakes, I forgot how much they suck
Thx for the upload
Nice bike !! Needs complete overhauling,but looks great!!
Hip! Hip! Les ride baybeeee!
Awesome i had a 78 kz 650 and that bitch was fast as hell..then i got the 900 ltd..freaking classic bikes..they dont make em like they used to thats for sure..
Yea we will have i go
Awesome!
Mad Max bike.
You have some great stuff!!
Class of 82 everyone road to school
keep it in the house !
I had the KZ 650 1983
Great buddy
Back in the day a kz 1000 was the fastest bike on the road.
Retire her, sure why not? New set of Dunlops and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
You have to many toys but nice bike love it.
Niccee .. burn outs 🤙🔥
Man I wish I were with you back then. Looked like a great bike. I dunno how long it’d last before it needs some major mechanical work?? Too expensive to pay someone to do it. You probably sold it for $1500? $1900?
Love it!
The sound. That. Throaty. Sound modern bikes. Don’t. Have. That. Sound
I inherited my fathers 78 Ltd 1000. It’s almost mint condition with 8500 miles on it. He was the original owner. I’m too scared to enjoy it. I had a ninja 750r I rode the crap out of before my 8 year old daughter was born.
Sweet ride. I had a 86 kz750 it was a ripper...
Thanks. And yeah I can't beat the old kz's. Lot of bike for the buck
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow my kz 750 was OK , it did 11.3 in the quarter at Atco in NJ. Not fast enough. Lmao. The screamin demon. It was tagged, not by me by previous owner. Still tho I wish I kept the bike.
@@georgewiley1055 Nice, that's pretty fast for a KZ750. I used to have a GSXR750 that I ran 10.5s with
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow it's was pretty quick. But we always wanna go faster...