The Shady KZ1000 Restomod

To me it would be better if you got a J style frame and transferred everything to it or beef up your frame. 

If you replace the frame you want either a "K" or a "M" (Ltd or CSR) the "J" has different geometry, different off-set and the Ltd/CSR uses "leading forks". If you can't get a titled frame then replacing a section from an untitled frame would work fine (as long as it's done correctly !!)
Measure 3 x cut once 

Injected wrote:

Souleymane wrote:

 So my impulsive self pulled the trigger on a 900$ 1981 Kawasaki KZ 1000 sold by two shady gentlemen. I was able to get the price down to 800$ which I now realize was way too much considering all the problems the bike has and the fact that it has no registration... I know I'm crazy and impulsive sometimes. It can be a good thing but also a bad one.I checked the Carfax report as well as the police database and it is not stolen so I should be able to register it once it is restored. If not I'm fucked but at least I got to wrench on something and that was the point!

 

I heard its a lot harder to obtain a clear ownership at the MTO in the past 5 years. I have previously done this on a couple of bikes of my own using the affidavit method and a notary signature, but I was told they no longer accept that method. You should look into this sooner than later.

Personally I am at the point now that I won't even look at bike without a current registration in the sellers name.
 

You're right, it can prove to ba hard, I went to Service Ontario before buying the bike and they told me that it would be possible, I have a bill of sale from the previous owners, worst case scenario I'll have to find a bike or frame with papers in bad shape.

Hello fellas, three months since my last post. Hope you guys enjoy the holidays and I hope you're all having a great 2025. Happy new year! I have been busy with work and family, my son is now six months old and he crawls. He he assaulted me a few times by trying to rip my beard off of my face or to simply rip my face off of my skull. He has very strong hands and sharp nails. I have been working on the bike. Here are the updates: 

The head is finally back from the machine shop!! They gutted me with a 2,000$ bill, apparently the head was not cooperative. Lesson learned, should've just bought a new engine, I saw some upgraded ones for around 2,500$. Oh well, you live and you learn. It does feel good to have a "Brand New" head though. I painted it too.

 


I also rebuilt and painted my brake calipers and brackets :

 

The powder coating guys took too long so I took back my frame, reinforced it in a few places and painted it myself with the coolest brown/copper I could find. Chrysler Saddle Brown

 



I also brought the engine casing in which I had broken 2 bolts to the machine shop. I was unable to take them out and they are well known in our area for taking out broken bolts. They did a really good job and cleaned up the casing as well.

 

And that's all for now, I will keep going with the painting & reassembly. A member of the forum that lives around my city named Steve might help me for the engine rebuild. I'm super excited about that. Oh I also bought LTD wheels from him

 

Couple of questions for the next projects :

1- Where do I get bearings for the wheels?
2- Any tire recommendations? Sizes? I would like a sporty look but don't mind a sprinkle of off road
3- The swing arm seems to have bearings inside as well, should I replace them? Where do I get some?
4- Any ideas for ignition upgrades? Parts are probably old, coils and such.

Thanks for the help! Wish you all a great 2025 again

You can buy the factory bearings here.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...e/1982/ltd-kz1000-k2

Sticking with the factory recommended tire sizes is generally best. If you go much wider, the shape of the tire profile will be distorted and can cause degraded handling and maybe uneven tire wear.

Thanks!!

TexasKZ wrote:

You can buy the factory bearings here.

www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motor...e/1982/ltd-kz1000-k2

Sticking with the factory recommended tire sizes is generally best. If you go much wider, the shape of the tire profile will be distorted and can cause degraded handling and maybe uneven tire wear.