1981 Kawasaki KZ1000 Sound, History & Project Update

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

I had an 81 CSR 1000 for about 10 years! It had 2,525 miles on it when I bought it! About 30k when I sold it! All I did was change the tires and tubes! I used it to commute daily to work 32 miles one way for 10 years, which was all back roads! I added a full plexi-fairing, crash bar with highway pegs, and found a Yamaha adjustable sissy bar/backrest to support my back! After I retired it sat for a couple years and I sold it… something I regret! You’re right about the original handlebars, not good for sport riding! But she pulled hard in any gear, got 40mpg. I did some research and found it was tuned very lean, so I upjetted the carbs, ran better! My first Kaw was a 79 650 which had a flat seat which was more comfortable because I’m tall and the previous owner had hot rodded it so it was a screamer!!! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

You're welcome, Bob! Thanks for sharing your memories as well. Cheers!

[@bobsbarnworkshop]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 what a coincidence!!!! i was just surfing facebook marketplace place and my old bike is up for sale! It’s an 82, with red pinstripes! Hmmmmmm? Maybe I will take it back!

[@Loonytunes1961]

"be a stewart of the vintage machines." Nice...

[@harrycundall7821]

Absolutely beautiful bike! Had mine for maybe 6 years now, put clip on bars, 2-4 seat and 4into1 Laser pipe on it, running it as a cafe racer! Best bike I've owned!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool!

[@steveneichele4662]

Thanks for posting, I still have 1981 KZ 1000 LTD, its mostly stock, except for a K&N air filter, and XS11 handle bars, requiring aftermarket front blinkers. Its just a hoot to ride. I remember it having a expensive battery, that wont interchange with my other bikes, and the dreaded Kawasaki leaking stator plug. being a LTD, with a small tank, fuel level is always a consideration. Keep up the Great work, its very entertaining at 3am.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on, thanks Steven!

[@sparky09100]

I just bought this bike last week. been polishing it up.

[@timcarter7616]

I had one like this, black, but put K&N drag bars on it. Rode it all over the south, had it for 8 years and 39,000 miles and the only thing ever went wrong was the speedo cable got loose and I had to tighten it. Really fast and comfortable once the bars were fixed. The stockers were awful. Everybody just changed them, it cost about $30 back then.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Not much more than that today. Cheers!

[@adamreynolds1291]

Nice !!! Mine is identical ,it's a 550LTD.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool. I'll be releasing more CSR videos soon - clutch replacement, test ride after the clutch and new handle bar, head-to-head comparisons with the Suzuki GS1100L and Honda CB900C etc. I'm excited to release them so stay tuned!

[@bigjohnson7415]

Beauty.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks, I'm working on it now - valve check, head bolt re-torque, new clutch, might change the bar for a bit more forward lean, etc. Stay tuned, more videos are in the works!

[@jeremymantyla3612]

I just bought one of these a couple days ago none running. Where can I get a manual for this bike?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I would check ebay. It should be less than $20.

[@jeremymantyla3612]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 thank you! If I have any questions is there a way I can contact you?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@jeremymantyla3612 I try to reply to all the comments on the channel. If you leave a post with a question, I will do my best to answer it.

[@sparky09100]

will a 1981 kz750 seat and speedometer, tach gauges fit my bike, I have this 1981 kz1000 csr

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I honestly don't know. Sometimes different size bikes share parts. Sometimes not. You can look up those part numbers for both bikes on www.partzilla.com to see if they're the same.

[@dotjock]

A seller has a 1981 KZ 1000 Police model w/fairing, 11K miles. Needs work, though is described as ‘excellent’ (for year, I suppose), looks complete but sat for yrs. Any thoughts to offer on potential purchase and rider-restore? Thanks for video.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Without seeing a bike in-person, it's impossible for me to know what it might need, or if it's even worth making an offer on. NADA motorcycle values and Hagerty can give you an idea of what a finished example should bring. I recommend taking a knowledgeable friend with you when you look at it. Good luck!

[@YTjndallas]

Sweet.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks!

[@davidanderson4500]

brill sound from the delkevic. gd vid.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks!

[@TheMarcball]

Hi, any recommendation on where to buy the Spiegler brake kit? I'm halfway through dismantling the 1981 Kz1000Ltd I grabbed here in WA state, original unmolested but super cruddy. Thanks for the inspiration and keep on trucking!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

www.spieglerusa.com They are great to deal with and I put their lines on every bike I plan to keep. Best performance upgrade in my book.

[@leonardomendez9839]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Is there a difference in braking? Thank you

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@leonardomendez9839 Hi Leonardo, yes, there's a tremendous improvement in brake lever feel, and stopping power. I like them so much that I just ordered Spiegler brake lines for 3 more of my bikes yesterday. Depending on the condition of your brake rotors and brake pads, upgrading to EBC rotors and pads can further enhance the braking performance and therefore safety of your bike. I know that these modifications aren't cheap but brakes are one area where I'll spend money. Crashing sucks!

[@leonardomendez9839]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Thank you very much for the information, I am putting together a 1977 kz1000. regards

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@leonardomendez9839 I'm jealous! I would recommend upgrading the brakes even more on a single front disc bike.

[@jimmackelvie8825]

Hi Jon, I see that this bike has its front turn signals mounted to the headlight bracket rather than on the handlebars. Was this something you did and was it due to you changing the handlebars? Cheers Jim

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Great question Jim. Yes and yes. The stock signals fit on standard KZ1000 stalks.

[@jimmackelvie8825]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Thanks Jon, I'm about to purchase a 1983 KZ1100 LTD with a windjammer fairing, which I will be taking off almost immediately. If nothing else that particular fairing speaks volumes about the style of ownership over the last 40 years.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@jimmackelvie8825 I've removed so many Vetter style fairings over the years. I love picking up those bikes though. The removal of the fairing alone ups the resale value greatly.

[@lupegalvan2354]

I have a 1981 Kawasaki Kz1000j, do you have a shop?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I don't have a shop. What are you looking to do with the KZ1000 J?

[@lupegalvan2354]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 fully restore it but haven't found a shop that does that

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@lupegalvan2354 I understand. There is Johnnie's Vintage Motorcycle Co. in Ohio, but I don't know pricing or what their schedule is. Good luck in your search. Cheers!

[@deborahchesser7375]

I had one of those too, the poor mans KZ, I slid the forks up in the clamps, put a flat seat on it. It sounds damn good, she’s running right, did you synch the carbs ?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Hi Deborah, yes, I synchronized the carbs by eye after cleaning them, making sure that the throttle butterflies open at precisely the same time. I also went up one size on my pilot and main jets.

[@mikebailey8451]

I just bought a 78' kz1K ltd from its original owner. 26,000.mi in excellent original cond . Lov.it

[@lowprofile2412]

I know what exhaust I won’t be buying for my 78 KZ 1000 !!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The stainless Delkevic Exhaust is great. Delkevic also sent me a brand new black exhaust for this bike that I need to install. Hopefully, the peeling powder coat was only on the early production pipes. I need to install the new exhaust and give an update. Please let me know when you are planning to sell the KZ.

[@robamey2288]

NOT A KZ

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

According to Kawasaki it is a KZ1000-M1 CSR.