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I wasn't as lucky as Dannyg40. The KZ1000 I got probably used to look like his but that was a loooooong time ago.

Bike is a 1982 KZ1000 LTD. It has quite a few missing or bodgered on parts that don't belong. I got the bike for 2 used Apple computers and a copy of my itunes library. (About 4,000 mp3's).

Okay, enough blather, here's the problem. My intent was to ride the bike before investing any time or money into it to make sure nothings sprung, bent, blown, shot or otherwise more bother than worth. Well first thing the clutch cable is broken. So I finally got that replaced tonight and after getting it all back together I discovered something very odd. While sitting on the bike (No I wasn't making vroom vroom sounds) I happened to squeeze the brake lever. What's this I says, all the dash lights came on, and the headlight along with the brake light. Mind you, there was no key in the ignition. Now I know this isn't normal. I'm not sure if this condition existed before I replaced the clutch cable or not but if anybodies got any ideas where to start I'd appreciate hearing them.

Im not sure but I think you have a wiring issue. Check the switch on the brake lever and follow the wire to where it hooks into the harness. Look for the duct tape splice and take it apart. Find a wiring diagram and route the wire to where it supposed to hook into not where someone thought it should go. Got to love the electrical issues.

Don, thanks for the ideas. Tonight I went out the garage determined to ride the beast or it was going on ebay as parts. The rear tire on this bike is shot so I had to inflate it again. I rolled the bike out and without thinking stuck the key in the ignition. Then I remembered the issue with the lights. For the hell of it I squeezed the brake.....nothing! I turned the ignition on, pulled the choke, hit that start button, one, two, three revolutions and she's running! Idle is smooth, All lights are working, hi-low beam headlight, all dash lights, left and right turn signals, hell even the hazard lights work! ( I am now a firm believer in little green Kawasaki Gremlins).

So I doffed my gear, hopped back on, clutch in, dropped her into first (nice smoth sounding thunk into gear) slipped the clutch out.....never had my head snapped back like that before! (Maybe idle should be more like 8 - 900rpm instead of 1200?) Man, this thing has soooo much more grunt than my 550.

If I keep this bike I will have a ton of stuff to do to make it presentable. I will also go through all the electrics. She doesn't seem to smoke and it started to rain so I never got her out of third gear so the ride test will have to wait for drier weather. It's really easy to see how these bigger fours are addictive.....