I bought one back in 1980 because it was faded I had it painted black with blue pearl panels inside where the pin striping is then gold pin stripping between the black and blue then had the lettering put back in the same style and placement as factory only with gold leafing I then lowered it with 3 in set backs for the shocks and slid the fork tubes up in the triple clamps, then put braided aircraft break lines on all calipers and topped it off with a Kerker racing header.
Great stuff. I personally always preferred the "regular" KZ (or Z900 model as I had here in the UK), but that LTD is a beautiful looking 'bike, and looks more subtle than I remember, seeing it years later. Nice restoration job too.
When warming up, I always use the minimum amount of choke/enrichment, and keep the engine running by throttle, so as not to wash the bores with excess fuel - but I guess you had no choice whilst holding the camera!
I bought one new and kept it and rode it for 25 years. 74,000 miles later I sold it. It was one of the best bikes I have ever owned. A true classic and a part of history.
Damn nice. I had one brand new when I was toooo young and stupid to realize what I had. I overrevved it and that was that. She's been waiting patiently in the garage with the ORIGINAL Goodyear Eagle tires for 30 yrs. Great bikes. The mechanicals were actually designed and engineered in the U.S. Project called "New York Steak."
That's awesome! There was something really bold about those white raised letter Goodyear Eagle tires for that bike. Too bad they haven't made Goodyear Eagles for bikes in quite a few years. Closest I could get where Dunlop Qualifiers. Bet you have the original Jardine 4 into 2 pipes? They are extremely hard to find in decent condition.
I am not so sure about agreeing with you on that one. They had a plant in Nebraska. Some parts were made here but most say made in Japan on it. I would be interested in knowing more of what you know. Educate me on what information you have. I'd be delighted to learn more about my beloved machine. Ride on!
Amazing looking bike !!! I wish my little 82 Suzuki GS 400T looked as good as that beautiful machine you have there! I guess my GS 400T is on the list of things this coming up year to work on and get her roadworthy. Keep the rubber side down and safe riding to you, my friend.
@skippr76kz Thank you for the response and believe me, my GS 400T ( I named her Kumiko) needs some help. She used to belong to some teenagers on a farm and the electrical got hacked up over time. When I picked the bike it was running on one cylinder and I am picking up a whole new ignition system from Dyna Industries this winter.
My dad had that bike.... I loved it when I was kid. I just used to sit on it for hours, it's gone now. I guess it's not the bike that matters though it the ride that does.
Yo se hacerca de motos y esta es la mejor motocicleta de la historia en su tipo. Y para mi la mas hermosa de todas las motocicletas junto con las serie Z de Kawasaky.
cool ---- got one in the garage ----- pretty mint and unrestored w/ 27K miles ---- still has the stock jardine 4 into 2 and mulholland shocks sticker still intact. never down --- starts and runs like a top ---- i average about 700 miles a year since getting the bike in '93 from california. ---- great job and nice sound!! makes me want to shop for a 4 into 1 to go with the bank of smoothbore 29mm mikunis i have waiting ......
It depends on it's condition and the rarity of the bike in your location. In the US, early Z1's bring a higher resale/collectable value when they are close to original condition. If you have a LTD1000, those started with the 1977 year. These mid 70's Z1's and the 1976KZLTD through 1980, in good condition are relatively rare and a great conversation piece. But in your shoes, if the LTD1000 was not in excellent condition, I would sell it and get the sport bike.
My dad used to have a '76 KZ900LTD he bought brand new. His was almost identical. Thats truly a beautiful example you have there. You should be proud.
Brilliant bike, nice job!! :) I would like to refresh a Z750E soon, great bikes! A question: what is the brand of your tyres? Reeallly cool with that white writing, I would like to fit similiars too! ;) Tell me! Thanx!
i like your style mate. real tidy and no doubt a labour of love. 900's will be around long after the great white shark. bet u have your cornflakes sitting on that thing. well done indeed.
I bought one back in 1980 because it was faded I had it painted black with blue pearl panels inside where the pin striping is then gold pin stripping between the black and blue then had the lettering put back in the same style and placement as factory only with gold leafing I then lowered it with 3 in set backs for the shocks and slid the fork tubes up in the triple clamps, then put braided aircraft break lines on all calipers and topped it off with a Kerker racing header.
vamp1093 5 months ago
sweet bike
macdaddy1600 6 months ago
Great stuff. I personally always preferred the "regular" KZ (or Z900 model as I had here in the UK), but that LTD is a beautiful looking 'bike, and looks more subtle than I remember, seeing it years later. Nice restoration job too.
When warming up, I always use the minimum amount of choke/enrichment, and keep the engine running by throttle, so as not to wash the bores with excess fuel - but I guess you had no choice whilst holding the camera!
CodeTwo2 1 year ago
Love how everything looks brand new! Sounds very authoritive (after she warms up)
Coupydog 1 year ago
Wow, gorgeous!
kaybee0575 1 year ago
great looking bike, what are the tyre pressures for that, front and back in psi cheers..
dekz1000 1 year ago
I bought one new and kept it and rode it for 25 years. 74,000 miles later I sold it. It was one of the best bikes I have ever owned. A true classic and a part of history.
Very nice job.
bmwbaker 1 year ago
That is a absolute beauty. Nice job restoring it. Keep it, ride it and don't sell it. I so regret selling my '78 Z1R. I also
did'nt realize what I had.
Cheers
pauliewaulieflimflam 2 years ago
Damn nice. I had one brand new when I was toooo young and stupid to realize what I had. I overrevved it and that was that. She's been waiting patiently in the garage with the ORIGINAL Goodyear Eagle tires for 30 yrs. Great bikes. The mechanicals were actually designed and engineered in the U.S. Project called "New York Steak."
Mrtriumphchopper 2 years ago
That's awesome! There was something really bold about those white raised letter Goodyear Eagle tires for that bike. Too bad they haven't made Goodyear Eagles for bikes in quite a few years. Closest I could get where Dunlop Qualifiers. Bet you have the original Jardine 4 into 2 pipes? They are extremely hard to find in decent condition.
skippr76kz 2 years ago
I am not so sure about agreeing with you on that one. They had a plant in Nebraska. Some parts were made here but most say made in Japan on it. I would be interested in knowing more of what you know. Educate me on what information you have. I'd be delighted to learn more about my beloved machine. Ride on!
saxjonz 2 years ago
I had one when I was 16 it was all balls.
I can't imagine my 18 year old son riding this daily like I did.
They were XLNT bikes!
tippycolfax 2 years ago
Amazing looking bike !!! I wish my little 82 Suzuki GS 400T looked as good as that beautiful machine you have there! I guess my GS 400T is on the list of things this coming up year to work on and get her roadworthy. Keep the rubber side down and safe riding to you, my friend.
janosleng73 2 years ago
Thanks! Goodluck with your GS400T.
skippr76kz 2 years ago
@skippr76kz Thank you for the response and believe me, my GS 400T ( I named her Kumiko) needs some help. She used to belong to some teenagers on a farm and the electrical got hacked up over time. When I picked the bike it was running on one cylinder and I am picking up a whole new ignition system from Dyna Industries this winter.
janosleng73 2 years ago
My dad had that bike.... I loved it when I was kid. I just used to sit on it for hours, it's gone now. I guess it's not the bike that matters though it the ride that does.
magicmark1292 2 years ago
awesome nice bike i wouldnt sell it
madbiker53 2 years ago
Yo se hacerca de motos y esta es la mejor motocicleta de la historia en su tipo. Y para mi la mas hermosa de todas las motocicletas junto con las serie Z de Kawasaky.
Jodanse gringos si no entienden.
TheKonigstiger 2 years ago
Estoy de acuerdo. Los más bellos de todas las motocicletas. Gracias!
skippr76kz 2 years ago
I have a 77 KZ 650, All original i think, okay 99% cuz one piece is brand new, runs like a champ, but has some carb problems
chaharly2 2 years ago
The Kawasaki Nine Still Rules.
Hail the King!
kaveebee 2 years ago
cool ---- got one in the garage ----- pretty mint and unrestored w/ 27K miles ---- still has the stock jardine 4 into 2 and mulholland shocks sticker still intact. never down --- starts and runs like a top ---- i average about 700 miles a year since getting the bike in '93 from california. ---- great job and nice sound!! makes me want to shop for a 4 into 1 to go with the bank of smoothbore 29mm mikunis i have waiting ......
stilldajoker 2 years ago
nice job had the 650 model
deegirlshopping 2 years ago
Sweet Scoot my friend... easy on the choke tho.... google kzriders
mrbreeze223 3 years ago
that's kawasaki,either it go's to slow or to hard
a090006 2 years ago
The bike where I live is the only one like that. The bike is in really good condition but the sport bike is brand new and only 1500$
I think my choice is made
miglaroc 3 years ago
I got a LTD1000 1976... my father want to sell it to buy me a sport bike... should i do it plz reply
miglaroc 3 years ago
It depends on it's condition and the rarity of the bike in your location. In the US, early Z1's bring a higher resale/collectable value when they are close to original condition. If you have a LTD1000, those started with the 1977 year. These mid 70's Z1's and the 1976KZLTD through 1980, in good condition are relatively rare and a great conversation piece. But in your shoes, if the LTD1000 was not in excellent condition, I would sell it and get the sport bike.
skippr76kz 3 years ago
My dad used to have a '76 KZ900LTD he bought brand new. His was almost identical. Thats truly a beautiful example you have there. You should be proud.
CSXT8250 3 years ago
i dont know why but my 82 kz550 ltd has out ran 1100's i took a well tuned yamaha v-max once 550's are the best in my opinion
ltd550oo 3 years ago
I had one of these bikes. I sure miss it. Rode it Florida from Illinois, was a blast back in 1976
GulfSouthGene 3 years ago
hey i remember this bike in the 70s my old friend had one i had the z1 900 the were a blast to ride fuck ya
barrf743 3 years ago
These 900's made the Z1's possible dum a_s respect your elders!
GulfSouthGene 3 years ago
Thats a beautiful bike bro. Nice Job!
lowprofile018 3 years ago
She sure looks pretty, nice job Skip!
If it weren't for the 4-into-1 V&H, it'd be a twin to Tims' 900. ;)
-R4
retrokz 4 years ago
those were and still are bad to the bone bikes
torinotom71 4 years ago
Got one just like it, getting ready for an overhaul!!! good sound, is that a vance n hines header?
Nick
winters19 4 years ago
Thanks for the comments on my 900LTD. Sorry I'm responding late. Those are Vance & Hines headers.
skippr76kz 4 years ago
KEKERの音いいですね
getuga900 4 years ago
all hail kzrider
makarthamin 4 years ago
Brilliant bike, nice job!! :) I would like to refresh a Z750E soon, great bikes! A question: what is the brand of your tyres? Reeallly cool with that white writing, I would like to fit similiars too! ;) Tell me! Thanx!
amagakeresztje 4 years ago
Thanks for your comment. The tires are Dunlop Qualifiers with white raised letters. I love the look and they handle great.
skippr76kz 4 years ago
This motorcycle engine would power up a Lamborghini Countach replica, eh!
mrceleb2006 4 years ago
Skip, you definitely got one of the nicest 900LTDs in the country (world?). Great video!
ltdrider 4 years ago
i like your style mate. real tidy and no doubt a labour of love. 900's will be around long after the great white shark. bet u have your cornflakes sitting on that thing. well done indeed.
stetam2 4 years ago 2