78 KZ1000 LTD "Pit Bull Kawasaki" Rescue

On a very cold night in December, we went to look at this 78 KZ1000 LTD which was parked outside for no telling how long. It kept company alongside a couple of pit bull dogs. Hence the name of this project. Once again, our objective with this project was to get this bike to a point where it is mechanically sound, and bring it to a point where it can be restored to fit the tastes and budget of its next owner. Please contact us if you're interested! 330-335-7365

[@regislucas9918]

I just met Johnny today as I dropped off my rare 1980 kz1000 ST/SHAFT for some major service coming from PA & see his place toke me to a time like in the 70's & 80's by being there seeing all them old Kawasaki's was larger then life it self & also Johnnys is like bring on craveyard cars on the motorcycle side thanks Johnny for your place was amazing to see as a Kawasaki owner.

[@ScottMiller-tu3gg]

Wow, you literally brought that back from the grave!

[@caroldave4037]

Don't you just love these guys like myself( pottering on ..bringing the dead back to life) specially proper bikes air cooled and carbs😊😊😊😊.. best wishes from the UK..dave..

[@Raheelkhan-wl7hg]

yes, i love them too, love from Pakistan ,

[@oldprophet]

Yup.........

[@FranciscoGalicia]

Great. congrats. the KZ650 you sold to me is up and running.

[@pazerfaust45]

You are the master of the kz.

[@t.s.racing]

Yes it's a Suzuki GS wheel early 80z. I have that wheel, widened by KOSMAN on my Nostalgia Drag Bike. It also has a set of ACCEL ignition coils and plug wires.

[@eatmelily]

That Kerker sure sounds good!! Great job...

[@richie9777]

Its amazing what you can do with the right odds and sods lying around. Sounds great

[@kathleendinicola9065]

Thank you for these great videos. I had a 74 400 triple in high school. Wish I still had it,though I can’t ride due to m.s.. Again I enjoy watching, thanks Jerry D.

[@jimmyd1ful]

Good job as usual!

[@zsc-ly9td]

376zsc1 12 hours ago I bought mine new in 1977 for $2499.00. First year I left Minneapolis went down to Miami, then took a right and went to Los Angele took another right and went up to Vancouver, took the ferryboat out to Vancouver Island then headed up to Calgary, Banff and Lake Louise. Came down into Yellowstone then discovered Sturgis, then headed home. I put on over 10,000 miles on that trip. No windshield, I was 21 years old and was gone for about 4 ½ weeks. Great bike smooth comfortable and drove strong all day long in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. Had it rebuilt by a drag racer when I got back. He put Stainless Manley valves in, united air cleaners and 2 sets of Honda 450cc pistons in it. He said it's now a Semi engine. I don't know about that but you could here the strain on the starter and feel the compression increase in the kicker. Also the engine pulled so hard my arms could feel a bit of strained muscles the next day. All this in the first year of ownership. I had well over 70,000 miles on it when I sold it to the drag racer. He totally overhauled it and looked brand new again. If I had the money and space I would have loved to buy it back. This was one of the best, funnest bikes I have ever had.

[@Johnnysvintage]

That's quite a ride. Hats off to you. Those were and still are very good bikes.

[@luisperez9213]

HERMOSO TRABAJO! FELICITACIONES! SIGAN ASÍ!

[@Johnnysvintage]

Gracias Luis

[@robertgrant008]

Good job👍

[@matthewconway1603]

This video is awesome. I wish he was my neighbor

[@cesarbrito6254]

Perdón creo que era unos años más vieja no recuerdo eso tiene más de 30 años que la tube . Esas motos me traen muchos recuerdos y nostalgia.

[@Johnnysvintage]

Nos alegra que te gusten

[@oldprophet]

Tho she be dirty, that's ok, she has inner beauty looking right back atcha, Luv it.......

[@jackorear2536]

Did you replace the broken off starter bolt?

[@llewvirtue861]

It is a gs rear wheel

[@unclequack5445]

Damn Johnny does he leave the pit bull dogs outside in the cold?

[@indysandmanas]

U have snow? On jan 8?

[@jmh8743]

l'd just ride it. putter, weld, putter more ride, somehow im missing "cafe racer" building, chop, chop. maybe thats younger guys that didnt ride these. you can adjust a carb. dead computer is out 3, just saying..... I think that thing was drag convert. but still NO SMOKE. good candidate. thanks

[@BurkeStanion]

Do you still have the Pit Bull Rescue?

[@Johnnysvintage]

Well, yes. The original owner wants it back, but never came and got it.

[@mowler8042]

Chuck the frame

[@robertbrandywine]

Why? I think they could grind off what didn't belong on there and weld up the damaged bits. But I agree that I would have liked to see a frame-off restoration.

[@mowler8042]

Robert Brandywine I personally would never use a frame someone modified; if the frame is really straight and you had someone professionally fix it might be cheaper to just buy another used bike

[@cesarbrito6254]

Estoy en venezuela con quien me puedo comunicar para reparar una moto suzuki GS 750 t año 1983. Yo tube un kawasaki kz1000 año 1978 . Me gustan este tipo de motos

[@Johnnysvintage]

No conozco a nadie que pueda trabajar en Suzukis por más tiempo para trabajos de restauración.

[@cesarbrito6254]

Quisiera reparar mi gs y disfrutar de esa moto muchos años más

[@Johnnysvintage]

espero que lo hagas

[@YTjndallas]

It’s kinda inexcusable not to rebuild that master cylinder. Sure, you’re disclosing it, but you’re still sticking your neck out to liability. It’s not too inconceivable that it could suddenly fail, and most likely under an emergency squeeze. Someone could be seriously injured, or worse. With everything y’all did to resurrect this bike to a great starting point, I just don’t understand why you would choose to neglect, arguably, the most important part of the bike. Especially when you state that your objective was to elevate its condition to “mechanically sound.”

[@Johnnysvintage]

Thanks for your input and your interest. Our first thoughts of the bike was to make sure the engine and the transmission were good, this way the average guy could build around the power plant. The more we did, the more we found out that we needed to do. It never ends with a bike from the 70's in this condition. We have not seriously tried to actively list it, however, we have decided to put another master cylinder on it, as well as a different seat, body parts and a different speedo. This was noted on our Facebook page. Look for the updated video soon to come. This will obviously affect the asking price.

[@YTjndallas]

Johnnysvintagemotorcycle FYI. I wasn’t intending to be rude at all. Written statements can seem harsher than intended, especially in my formal writing style. 😕 I understand your objective. Really, my comment was on your side. Just my opinion that the brake system isn’t something to scrimp on, even in this situation. I’d like to add that I also appreciate very much how you are bringing this bike up to a solid and affordable condition. This practice helps everyone involved. I definitely would be interested in this bike or one like it if I were closer. Can you recommend a shop in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with the level of integrity and ethics as your shop has? I had a 1980 550 LTD from 1985-1991, until I wrecked it. I passed a yellow ‘71 Camaro too fast for an upcoming curve I wasn’t aware of and took out a three-strand barbed wire fence. By the grace of God, I walked away with only a scratch on my thigh! For the first two years it was my only transportation rain or shine. I once picked up a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader in a white bikini on that bike, at Grapevine Lake and took her into town for lunch. And a couple of other stories not suitable for a family show, lol. I just don’t make memories like those anymore, but I do want another KZ !!

[@paullavergne3570]

I. Want. Kz. 650. Or. Kz. 1000. I. Guess. A. Fixer. Uper. With. Strong. Motor. In. The. 5000. Dollar. Range