1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 - Time To Retire Her? NNKH

I've had this 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 for around 10 years and decided I want to put her away in storage. Well after a couple rides, I just can't do it!
Thanks @DownstaterADV for the help with a few shots. Check out his channel here: / @downstateradv `
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[@sachsgs2509]

This thing would fly...I loved my 78 with a Kerker on. Mine was red.

[@zone4garlicfarm]

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.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Wow, that's crazy! Lot of miles. Yeah they are definitely great bikes

[@MrNickelbrille]

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

[@danielcapalbo5293]

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.

[@tyleremenhizer6325]

Don’t ever retire that bike man, that bike is badass! Hope to see you on it more this year

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Yeah I guess I'll have to just start storing her in the garage. No more outside storage

[@edensgardenhouseseedcompan8547]

Back in the day this Bike was the bomb! Fast and quick !

[@johnanthony5311]

The bike sounds great!

[@the88lundberg]

No... it sounds perfect!

[@jasoncarskadon6809]

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

[@mustangandfrankenstein]

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

[@aeror115]

This is a keeper it’s a solid base for an awesome rebuild / overhaul

[@bertjetolberg103]

I love those old kawa’s My first was a 82 sr 650 but the last 30 years i have a h2zxr 750 ‘91

[@kirkduguay1675]

Had an 81 CSR & 82 1000LTD..LOVED EM!

[@hensleytomzx10r]

Cool bike..needs some TLC before the rust gets out of hand.

[@arthurbolton8477]

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.

[@roman.mamlin]

MAD MAX 1979 !

[@richardbaumeister466]

I once owned a kz1000P and it was the most reliable bike I ever owned. The police version was smooth and powerful

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

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

[@williammontgomery3249]

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.

[@thebear6529]

Hahaha “I watched it from the light ahead “ nice!

[@soulis1000]

Makes me remember my first bike, a cb750 -81 if i remember right. Its what i used to get my bike drivers licens.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Those are awesome bikes! My first street bike was a 1982 KZ1000 LTD

[@jamesdougherty9006]

Had a 78 kz 1000 once.had a kerker header.shined the aluminum with mothers and painters steel wool.beautifull bike

[@kman-mi7su]

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!

[@nathanielwaters6730]

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!!!

[@petarpanza7237]

Hi Nathaniel, where can I' find original exhaust for my Z1r? 4 into 1, It is almost done to original condition.

[@TerribleTerry5]

@@petarpanza7237 Hello I was wondering if you ever found an exhaust.

[@petarpanza7237]

@@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. 😊😊

[@TerribleTerry5]

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

[@petarpanza7237]

@@TerribleTerry5 If you find exhaust let me know Terry, tnx, Petar. 😀😊

[@sinistervulcan]

I have the same year with the same color! It's such a blast. Oh and the same pipe 🤘

[@oldtree218]

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.

[@justinharris1299]

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

[@gorflunk]

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.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

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.

[@gorflunk]

@@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..." 😜

[@marklivingston8155]

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 #.

[@edensgardenhouseseedcompan8547]

I knew a few Bikers United MC that had the KZ1000 in 79 lol would love to own one one day lol

[@ratamahatta1300]

that SOUND that LOOK gorgeous am drivin an old z1000ltd since march. just so much fun :)

[@toddthewodd]

Love those ol' KZ's!

[@freedomformen2548]

The real mad max sound 💪👌

[@jeffshootsstuff]

Sounds amazing. Looking forward to more Kawi content.

Had a 77 same color but different pipes, black cylinders. It was amazing and way too fast for my 16 year old self😂

[@yamrz500]

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!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Nice! The 1000R is pretty cool

[@donaldwainwright]

Absolutely amazing bike I had 1 bought new 1977 mine was a Z1000 wish I still had it

[@mr.handsome7689]

I love your videos man a lot of gold I'm finding in ya older videos

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

I appreciate you checking them out and awesome to hear that you enjoy them! Thank you

[@marinkolivaja981]

Saw one tonight doing a burnout, i could not beleve the sound

[@JB-zn1kx]

First sreet bike I ever rode was a KZ1000... I was 13 and would sneak my brothers bike out when everyone was gone.

[@bigdaddydellnunya5830]

Love the old iron the best stuff

[@bennyrobles9194]

Nice piece of history you have.! The Z series were beautiful bikes in the 70s.(MadMax, CHIPS). I had a 650.

[@robertmason8341]

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!

[@heyboy33333]

My first bike was a red 1978 KZ1000 ! Loved that bike.

[@bryanriggs3063]

I loved my 1979 Ltd 1000

[@erikalbertson7483]

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 !

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

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

[@danielmiller7693]

Bike sounds amazing!

[@jasonrutherford1722]

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 !!!

[@garyseaton4619]

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...

[@lindalakota38]

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

[@laavos]

I'm eagerly awaiting the fixes you'll do on this bike!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

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

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

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

[@somerandomguy3868]

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

[@FK61YT]

This Kawa is legend can still spin 9000rpm though you have the dexterity.)

[@nathanielwaters6730]

I know where to get replacement side covers, just like the originals!!! I love these bikes!!! Everytime I aee one, I go Berserk!!!

[@dco956]

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

[@john-pu5uy]

Good god you like to thrash things Chris... poor old girl

[@Poppinwheeeeellllllieeeeez]

That could look new over a weekend. I ride my kz650 daily.

[@peterhoulis1184]

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

[@washerbtw]

The rev's I hear make me think of the bikes out of MadMax !!

[@SladeM.]

Make a Goose or Toe Cutter replica out of it.

[@johnkali5665]

Just watch your video and I love what you do man ....👍👍👍

[@chrismoody1342]

I got myself a 75’. Z1b.

[@daryletoews7099]

Makes me wish I hadn't sold mine 😕

[@thebeek123]

it was like watching an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage..

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Haha That's what's up! He's got some cool toys

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Coolest bike ever.

[@scottjays360s.johnson2]

Has the same body style as the GS750 Suzuki I used to ride in the day. These bikes really moved.

[@adamg85]

Just got my 77 kz1000 out yesterday!

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Sweet

[@Garagem80s]

This bike is really cool!

[@paullavergne2477]

The sound. That. Throaty. Sound modern bikes. Don’t. Have. That. Sound

[@_vintageyamahagarage_1862]

Great video, I just found ya on KZbin. 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

[@henrypartridge9314]

Yea we will have i go

[@neilsmith5883]

Mad Max bike.

[@californiahighdesertpreach2261]

I had the KZ 650 1983

[@oldtree218]

Hip! Hip! Les ride baybeeee!

[@BeerkegGarage]

Thx for the upload

[@nwmi493]

@3:42 be like ... eeoou those brakes, I forgot how much they suck

[@DaBossk]

breh you should take this thing back out of your basement and do another video on it please

[@norbertpecheq3427]

Nice bike !! Needs complete overhauling,but looks great!!

[@DaBossk]

Hey Chris please do an update or a video on one of your motorcycles. Maybe the africa twin? :o

[@krystalstarrett6760]

Retire her, sure why not? New set of Dunlops and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

[@anthonyzornes8006]

You have to many toys but nice bike love it.

[@sifusays9242]

Great buddy

[@bryancrandall9204]

Back in the day a kz 1000 was the fastest bike on the road.

[@richardkautz2947]

If you used a real "car cover" instead of the plastic tarp, it wouldn't be in such bad shape. I just don't understand why people do that when it's been proven (case in point). Super bike though, I hope that you get it fixed up. The engine technology far surpassed the frame and suspension back then !

[@clarencewiles963]

Good 👍

[@randyiron2]

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.

[@joef1006]

DONT WRIGHT OFF THE GOOSE UNTIL YOU SEE THE BOX GOING INTO THE HOLE

[@James79561]

keep it in the house !

[@ratamahatta1300]

Love it!

[@karlkelley8353]

You have some great stuff!!

[@ericlakota1847]

Those where the meanest bikes when new alot of old dudes talk about some one they know who had one and how they where meat wagons

[@brettclausen4429]

Hahaha loved it

[@townbeach3603]

Sway bar please!!!

[@mohawk2185]

You could put àll the NINJA COWELS AND PIPES ON IT AND HAVE ONE FAST BIKE....

[@lildex6572]

nice video

[@TosakiRacing]

凄🎉

[@patsatterfield8412]

Toecutter from Mad Max, I think most of those bikes were Kawa 1000s,

[@nathanielwaters6730]

I wanna buy it, lol!!! Seriously, I would buy it!!!

[@christopherknoop]

Wow that bike halls ass,how fast is it?

[@MrNickelbrille]

Me and my bro are Kawasaki enthusiasts. He had a Z 1000 I had a Z1300 (We don't get KZ in germany for obvious reason;-) He sold it to get some money for the latest ZZR1100 I gave my License to the cops. My KZ1300 was no fun cause I was a all day all year driver. And ~340Kg~750pound on snow? Na. That was my first winter without a Motorcycle. I sold the KZ because of TÜV. I needet 3 Breakdisks each one ~ 350$. That was half the price for the whole bike. I had 2KZ500 wich I liked a lot 200Kg 50 HP and only half the fuel consumption. German fuel prices are much higher.

[@shin-pad1052]

What I’d give to have this bike here in the uk..

[@DaBossk]

that things pretty sweet. What do you think the 0-60 is?

[@mustangandfrankenstein]

iv always wanted a kz 1000 and never have had one ..hint hint lol..I'm looking

[@phoenixarizona8441]

Keep it original condition

[@redzed40]

I had a 78 Z1000..but that ltd seat mate :(

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

It's so much more comfortable than the standard seat

[@marcz9482]

Shame you didn't keep it inside

[@1112223333111]

I can see salt in the cracks of the road. thats a death sentence for any vehicle