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
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
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.
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 #.
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!
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!👊🏼
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
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
@@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.
Great video, I just found ya on UA-cam. 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
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..
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
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.
Nice bike. One question though, are you actually riding with your shield up with No eye protection ? I did the same thing back in the day when it was very hot. One day a horsefly hit the side of my face and worked its way down into my ear canal before I could pull over and was buzzing it felt like down in the side of my neck. I was close to home so I kept going even though I had pulled over and was banging on my head to no avail. Put my ear under water faucet and banged it out in the sink. The strange thing is that its wings weren't attached to it when I observed it in the sink. Pretty gross I know. Can't make that shit up. Can you imagine if it was a bee ?
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?
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...
The nice thing about the Kawi , is the value just keeps going up
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
I've heard about these bikes developing stress cracks in the frame. I wasn't sure if it was true or just a false rumor.
Kz always sound awesome
Back in the day this Bike was the bomb! Fast and quick !
The bike sounds great!
No... it sounds perfect!
This thing would fly...I loved my 78 with a Kerker on.
Mine was red.
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
Nothing sounds like a old school Kawasaki, i got a 77 kz1000 A1 ....keep ripping brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
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
Cool bike..needs some TLC before the rust gets out of hand.
This is a keeper it’s a solid base for an awesome rebuild / overhaul
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.
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!
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!
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
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. 😀😊
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
I knew a few Bikers United MC that had the KZ1000 in 79 lol would love to own one one day lol
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 #.
I have the same year with the same color! It's such a blast. Oh and the same pipe 🤘
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.
Hell yes! Love these! CHiPs for the win!
I miss that show! Haha
Had a 78 kz 1000 once.had a kerker header.shined the aluminum with mothers and painters steel wool.beautifull bike
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!
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!👊🏼
that SOUND
that LOOK
gorgeous
am drivin an old z1000ltd since march. just so much fun :)
My first bike was a red 1978 KZ1000 ! Loved that bike.
Sounds amazing. Looking forward to more Kawi content.
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.
Nice piece of history you have.! The Z series were beautiful bikes in the 70s.(MadMax, CHIPS). I had a 650.
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
Was in two minds about watching the burnouts. 'Don't wreck the thing' vs 'cool burn out.'
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
I loved my 1979 Ltd 1000
The real mad max sound 💪👌
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
Saw one tonight doing a burnout, i could not beleve the sound
The sound. That. Throaty. Sound modern bikes. Don’t. Have. That. Sound
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
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
Absolutely amazing bike I had 1 bought new 1977 mine was a Z1000 wish I still had it
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
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
MAD MAX 1979 !
This Kawa is legend can still spin 9000rpm though you have the dexterity.)
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 !!!
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!
This bike is really cool!
First sreet bike I ever rode was a KZ1000... I was 13 and would sneak my brothers bike out when everyone was gone.
I know where to get replacement side covers, just like the originals!!! I love these bikes!!! Everytime I aee one, I go Berserk!!!
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
Love the old iron the best stuff
The rev's I hear make me think of the bikes out of MadMax !!
It was ahead of it's time
Indeed
Had a 77 same color but different pipes, black cylinders. It was amazing and way too fast for my 16 year old self😂
Just watch your video and I love what you do man ....👍👍👍
Coolest bike ever.
Has the same body style as the GS750 Suzuki I used to ride in the day. These bikes really moved.
Hip! Hip! Les ride baybeeee!
Just got my 77 kz1000 out yesterday!
Sweet
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
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...
👍👌👏 Simply fantastic sound and still going strong!
Best regards luck and health.
Great video, I just found ya on UA-cam. 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
You have some great stuff!!
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..
Nice bike !! Needs complete overhauling,but looks great!!
keep it in the house !
I. Had. One. That. Same. Year win. U. Wore. Riding urs. Those. Memory's wore. Coming. Back. With. Small. Tear. In. My. Eye. Thanks
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
That could look new over a weekend. I ride my kz650 daily.
Thx for the upload
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!
Yea we will have i go
What a sound i digg it
Great buddy
i had the baby brother 900 i always wanted the 1000 never could get my hands on a nice one
that things pretty sweet. What do you think the 0-60 is?
it was like watching an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage..
Haha That's what's up! He's got some cool toys
Hey man what’s the name of the mic your using to communicate with the other rider
Cardo Packtalk
I got myself a 75’. Z1b.
Why was the oil light coming on and off?
That's the brake light indicator. Older bikes had that to let you know when your brake light is on and if it's working
@@NoNonsenseKnowHow Ah ok. Love the sound of the KZ1000's. Must have watched Mad max 20 times...
@@wastingmymoneyonmotorcycles what a great movie!
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.
Love it!
Niccee .. burn outs 🤙🔥
Back in the day a kz 1000 was the fastest bike on the road.
Hey Chris please do an update or a video on one of your motorcycles. Maybe the africa twin? :o
Nice bike. One question though, are you actually riding with your shield up with No eye protection ? I did the same thing back in the day when it was very hot. One day a horsefly hit the side of my face and worked its way down into my ear canal before I could pull over and was buzzing it felt like down in the side of my neck. I was close to home so I kept going even though I had pulled over and was banging on my head to no avail. Put my ear under water faucet and banged it out in the sink. The strange thing is that its wings weren't attached to it when I observed it in the sink. Pretty gross I know. Can't make that shit up. Can you imagine if it was a bee ?
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?
Good god you like to thrash things Chris... poor old girl
Wow that bike halls ass,how fast is it?
You have to many toys but nice bike love it.
Makes me wish I hadn't sold mine 😕