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I was looking around for a bike to tinker with over the winter and found a '79 KZ1000ST. This is my first vintage Kawasaki (I also own a Z900RS). Up to now, I've only owned and restored vintage Hondas.

The KZ I bought has only 4,400 miles. The paint and chrome are immaculate. There's an aftermarket exhaust on it but I have the original exhaust, which is spotless. It's all original except the PO installed pods and a LZBoy recliner for a seat. It's been sitting for several years so it needs a thorough going over (new batt, brakes, fluids, maybe a carb clean, etc.)

Is this a desirable bike to a collector? I did some research and from what I read it wasn't a big seller; it's kinda rare; and is the least popular KZ1000 and so on. I couldn't find much on values though and I'm wondering what I could sell it for once I'm done with it.

I'll tell you what I paid after I get a few estimates 

Welcome to KZRider
Lots of great help here . Nice project 
Dave

Welcome from the UK, clean ride 

I like it. 

But the seat has to go !!

If I found a 1000 shaftie close to me at a reasonable price, I certainly would consider acquiring it...particularly if it was in decent shape (like yours) and had original exhausts (like yours). Nice find...and yeah, that seat has to go...I'm not sure what it is about certain people, but my Z2 had the same style seat on it when I acquired it...

For sure, the seat has to go. I've looked around for stock pans and seats already. Can anyone confirm that the seats on the ST and the MKII are the same?
 

Welcome.  Nice ride.
Agreed, the living room chair has to go! 

Doobie wrote:

.Can anyone confirm that the seats on the ST and the MKII are the same?

 

No! They are not.
Despite the similarity very few MK2 and ST parts are interchangable especially frame and body parts.

I read the ST and MKII are different in many ways but hoped the seats were interchangeable. I've already looked around and a stock seat will be hard to come by. I'll see if I can use the seat pan from the sofa that's on the bike and if not, hunt on eBay for a stock seat pan. A replica seat cover is available and with foam, finesse, and the usual profanity, I might be able to put one together.

On the off chance someone has a stock seat to sell, hit me up.
 

....wow.... nice - I have owned at least 20 of those in 45 years and they are great touring bikes. But, I have never owned anything as clean as yours - very impressive - and in the 'best' factory color they ever did for one. Put it back to bone stock and you will not regret it - tune the motor thoroughly before putting the stock pipes back on - valve clearances, quality carb tech with airbox, BRAKES - I suggest you completely dismantle all of the masters & calipers to be safe and if refinishing, maybe stay away from powder coating unless they are very adept at masking. The factory ignitions were not always completely reliable - buy a factory manual that has all of the ST service bulletins as that will be money well invested. ST's are sort of a unicorn model in those years. If that travelcade seat has a metal base you are halfway there - just search for a replacement foam and cover......

I have a fair bit of experience with GS850 shafties, and they are wonderful bikes.  This one should be similar, but even more powerful!  What's not to like?  

I've got a spare set of fully restored set of carbs for that bike.  They are not difficult to do, other than the pumps are a pain.  You found yourself a great project.