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Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
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postoak Offline
Running Like a Top

The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 451
Joined: Mar 2014
Post: #1
Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
I'm getting rid of the Valk in about a month and am very seriously considering acquiring an old Kawasaki KZ900 or KZ1000. These bikes (along with the early CB750s) touch some sort of aesthetic sweet spot for me and I like the way these old bikes rev more than today's modern bikes. That said, I'm just going by what people say -- I've never even sat on one of them.

These bikes aren't cheap -- especially if fully restored -- and I like to ride my bikes not have them down for extended periods for repairs. Also, I'd have to buy and have shipped to me. Those are the downsides.

KZ1000 being ridden:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0G9SkFaoy4

2014 Yamaha FJR1300A
Candy Red
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 08:12 AM by postoak.)
10-25-2017 08:07 AM
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Bheezy27403 Offline
High Mileage

Triad NC
Posts: 941
Joined: Sep 2015
Post: #2
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
Love it! Do it!

Oh...you said talk me out of it....whoops. Tongue
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 08:21 AM by Bheezy27403.)
10-25-2017 08:21 AM
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The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,277
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #3
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
Well I'll try (this being a former owner of a 77 KZ 1000)

You will spend nearly as much for an old bike restored as a new bike

for that unless it was totally gone thru by a caring professional, you get 40 year old technology, carbs (4) that tend to plug up, you get spindly forks with springs that have borne weight for 4 decades and worn out shocks, everything will be 40 year old rubber..fork seals, bearing seals, carb boots, wheel dampers, all the wiring will be 40 years old, as will all the electrical switches, a weak alternator, you get a small acid battery to fire everything, skinny tires of unknown age with tubes of unknown age, spokes that have flexed a billion times, weak lighting, especially the headlight, weak brakes, spindly frames, instrument faces that have stared at the sun for 4 decades, cables that may have not been changed in 40 years, faded paint, old crumbly seat foam, gaskets that may or may not be up to the job of keeping oil inside, pipes rusting from the inside out, brake cylinders in need of rebuild...want me to go on? lol and this is coming from a guy that has a subscription to and a complete collection of Motorcycle Classics Magazine. I love looking at beautiful examples of classic motorcycles.

I have had 1/2 dozen classics, all great to look at, all a pain to own and hardly a joy to actually ride, or keep running. As a classic owner I used to figure 2 hours work for every 1 hour of riding. Got rid of all my classics. Almost fell prey again about 2 years ago when I found a barn find 76 GL1000 with 14 thou miles for $2800. Thought about it awhile and remembering how much work they were vs how much pleasure I actually got from owning/riding a 40 year old motorcycle around I decided to pass. Some guys don't mind/actually like tinkering on old stuff to keep them running. Not me, I'd rather be out riding. If it were me and I wanted a Kaw 900, I'd run, not walk down to the nearest Kaw dealer for a brown and orange 900RS

My wife and I in 1977
İmage

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 09:17 AM by The ferret.)
10-25-2017 09:11 AM
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use2b Offline
High Mileage

Perdido Key Florida
Posts: 1,040
Joined: Aug 2016
Post: #4
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
I am just back home from riding my 76 CB750 and totally love the bike.
used a 3/8" drill bit to pop through the 3 inner baffles 3 /2/1 times in each original exhaust , operated on the original baffles so it looks stock and rejetted for performance so there is no way i will talk you out of those fine Kaw's and they hold their value if not go up !!!! , Love the old bikes and the sound is soooo Ferrari like . Sorry I am no help in talking you out .....

Edited to say -Ferret Kool old Pic !
I use Ospho inside my pipes and ran a scope inside which shows No rust so they are rock solid [ free tip ].
did just rebuild all 4 carbs and can remove them in about 15 min. did take 1 hr each to rebuild but good for another 10 years !
special German brake pads and shoes gave very good brakes =1 up .
no leaks anywhere , starts right up with electronic Ign / but then again it is a Honda !!!!!!


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The best part about growing up in Florida is i didn't have to move here when i got old.
former owner of the baddest 2013 CB1100 ever ;] now a plush ride -2014 Goldwing Valkyrie GL1800C
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 09:31 AM by use2b.)
10-25-2017 09:17 AM
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The ferret Offline
Forum Moderator

Ohio
Posts: 31,277
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #5
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
Use2be..how many miles a year do you put on the 76 750?

.
Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
10-25-2017 09:24 AM
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use2b Offline
High Mileage

Perdido Key Florida
Posts: 1,040
Joined: Aug 2016
Post: #6
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
(10-25-2017 09:24 AM)The ferret Wrote:  Use2be..how many miles a year do you put on the 76 750?
about 1500 or 1/2 what i did last year on the CB1100 .
we go so far back i think it may be i feel young again when we are out .
even my wife still enjoys it for nostalgia


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The best part about growing up in Florida is i didn't have to move here when i got old.
former owner of the baddest 2013 CB1100 ever ;] now a plush ride -2014 Goldwing Valkyrie GL1800C
10-25-2017 09:39 AM
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postoak Offline
Running Like a Top

The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 451
Joined: Mar 2014
Post: #7
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
I love your photo of you and your wife in your salad days, Mickey!

A completly restored bike costs about $20,000 - including the cost of the bike. That's too much for me.

My plan is to get one for about $3500 and have it gone over. All rusty bolts replaced. Carbs gone over with new boots, new coils, new plug wires, new plugs, new wheel bearings front and back, new top and bottom fork bearings, new fork oil and seals, new battery, the brakes completely redone, seat recovered if necessary, new era-appropriate tires, wheels and spokes repolished/chromed, new cables, and electric ignition installed, new clutch plates. I think I could get out for $10,000.

Then, as time and dollars allow, restored instruments, and new paint job.

2014 Yamaha FJR1300A
Candy Red
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 10:10 AM by postoak.)
10-25-2017 09:59 AM
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The A-man Offline
Running Like a Top

North Carolina
Posts: 728
Joined: Jan 2016
Post: #8
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
As a former proud owner of a '76 KZ900 (whose picture hangs on the wall of my garage for me to stare longingly at every day), I so want to tell you to "go for it", but.... I'm afraid that Ferret is 100% on target with his analysis. I'll add this to the picture: after you've spent the $15,000 or so that it's going to take, you'll be the proud owner of a bike that isn't nearly as quick, nor smooth, nor safe, nor reliable, nor roadworthy, nor agile as the CB1100. I have this same conversation with myself every day, then I go ride the CB, and get those terrible thoughts out of my head again (at least for a little while).

Good luck, and please post pictures when you buy it!

2014 CB1100 DLX s/n 166
10-25-2017 10:35 AM
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postoak Offline
Running Like a Top

The Woodlands, Texas
Posts: 451
Joined: Mar 2014
Post: #9
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
Good negative points. I'm wavering, lol.

My problem with the modern retros (and remember I owned a 2013 CB1100) is two fold. First, none of them look quite retro enough. Even the CB1100 doesn't unless you get the White House kit which is, what, $10,000? Second, they don't wind out properly. You get up to speed too quickly with low-moderate range-torque. You spend too much time cruising around in the low revs range.

I'm also a little cramped on the CB1100 so would have to, at least, buy a higher seat. I've heard, heard only, that the Kawasaki is a little roomier.

The Triumph T120 solves all those problems, but I don't like the twin.

2014 Yamaha FJR1300A
Candy Red
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 10:43 AM by postoak.)
10-25-2017 10:42 AM
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LongRanger Offline
Been There

Evergreen, CO
Posts: 4,220
Joined: Aug 2015
Post: #10
RE: Am I crazy -- can you talk me out of this?
I agree with Ferret too, but if a 70's bike pushes your buttons, you need to go for it. I owned a pristine, all original 1970 CB750K0, an even more pristine 1973 RD350, and a 1976 CB400F SuperSport. Absolutely lovely bikes to look at, but they were not enjoyable to ride over 50-60 mph. The rose-colored glasses we all wear are very thick. Now the bikes are sitting in someone else's garage, and he gets to look at them. I honestly don't miss any of them.

Ride more. Worry less. Tongue
‘12 BMW R1200R Classic
'15 BMW R1200RT
(This post was last modified: 10-25-2017 11:12 AM by LongRanger.)
10-25-2017 11:09 AM
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