1980 Kawasaki KZ750
I’ve been into the KZ750’s for awhile now (old post sweating KZ’s) and I’ve been keeping an eye out for a deal. Well, this week this KZ popped up on craigslist and I went and bought it on Friday after work. The owner had moved to Florida and needed to sell it so was able to get it for $450 without a title. The owner had questionable Maine paperwork from 2010 but I think I’m just going to do the Vermont trick. Either way, the title work shouldn’t be an issue.
These KZ motors have some decent power, 74 hp stock.
Some of my favorite things about this particular KZ750 model:
– Kawasaki mag wheels. Especially the 18″ rear mag
– Non cruiser front forks
– Dual disk upfront rear disk. Rear disk looks super tough IMO
– It’s a complete turd stock so I think it gets overlooked
– Parts are pretty cheap and there’s plenty of availability
– GPZ engine parts can be nice upgrades to this motor.
Things I don’t like:
– Painted black engine
– No kickstarter (however, a KZ650 kick assembly supposedly can be installed)
– CV carbs
– 2 up sloppy jalopy seat
– Blue spray painted tank
– 80’s era emissions control crap
Things I hope to be able to do with it (biggest restriction will be $$$):
– Kerker exhaust
– Oil cooler
– Kickstarter
– Keihin CR carbs
– Progressive suspension front and back
I’m putting the bike away till winter to give myself time to get the title sorted and come up with a design for the bike. Either way, I’m excited to own it and make it into something unique this winter. Either way it’s gonna rip once it’s done.
14 responses to “1980 Kawasaki KZ750”
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Sweet find adam
Heck yeah dude! I just got my old 86 XJ650R back in a trade. Gonna be my winter project. Good luck, looking forward to seeing the progress posts.
Ben in Lancaster
’82, NOT ’86(finger fumble)
Hell yeah man! The KZs are awesome bikes. Rode my ’79 kz650 to California and back this summer, 3100 miles over 7 days of riding- they are beasts!
But what about that Sabre? It was a 2 for 1 deal i thought.
The guy was trying to sell it as a package deal. I don’t know what you guys see in those Sabre’s. That thing is big and ugly.
sweet KZ looks alot like my 1982 440 ltd
surprising how quick this little fucker goes
I agree that those Sabre’s aren’t the best looking bikes but those V4’s were also available in the Interceptor sport bikes in the 80’s. That 1,100cc V65 in the bike listed made somewhere around 110-120hp. Ugly or not, that thing has to be fast.
I thought the Vermont loop only worked for 200cc and smaller?
350cc and higher need to have VIN verification paperwork in addition to the normal paperwork from what I can tell. I’m going to be doing it and if everything goes as it should I’ll make a post about the specifics.
Whats up with the red tail? Is that stock?
Super sad looking bike,honestly. But Iv heard great things about those engines. Im lookin’ forward to it getting the Jordan treatment and seeing it come out on the other side. Before and after pics will be a must.
Yea, the red tail is stock. The blue is spray paint.
and yes, it’s in a pretty sad looking state right now. Bent bars and a smashed gauge looks pretty pathetic. The owner said it was his baby… not sure how someone could let their baby look quite like this.
Just bought a 1980 kz750 myself if you don’t want that seat let me know mine has a tear and needs replaced
And the ladder rack 🙂 I’ll buy them