Restomod Kawasaki KZ1000 And Possible Sidecar Newbie

This thread was created to document my slow restomod progress. I have questions about the possibility of installing a used small sidecar on my 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000. I created this AI image with my favorite Kawasaki KZ1000 colors to motivate myself on this project. 

I am beginning the research now before investing any money, since I am planning to relocate overseas later this year. If I decide to go the sidecar route, my main concern will be finding a universal mounting kit for the KZ1000. Unless I get lucky, I expect to spend maybe a couple of thousand dollars on a small used sidecar. 

This is a 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD motorcycle that I purchased during the summer of 2019. My original plans have always been to change this bike paintjob into either the 1974 or 1978 Kawasaki colors. Back in 2019 I purchased a Kerker exhaust in excellent shape from a person (Facebook Marketplace) living in England, found a brand new seat on Ebay, and recently bought a 18" rear mag wheel and the bigger fuel tank from two forum members here. 

This motorcycle has been sitting in a garage since 2010. There were some paperwork issues with the motorcycle title so I bought it at a real bargain. I was unsure I could solve the title transfer issues, so the bike sat untouched in my garage from 2019 until last year. Due to my plans now to relocate overseas and the bike paperwork issues, I almost gave the bike away. To make a long story short, I was able to transfer the bike into my name last year, finally, and now have decided to take the bike with me. 

In addition, I plan to take a 3-Wheel Rider Course in Pennsylvania before I relocate. The sidecar primary use would be on backroads and weekend motorcycle meetups. And I plan to ride like grandma when my dog, girlfriend or great-nephews are on-board. 

Good Morning Kofla! I've only ridden a "hacker" a couple times but never owned one, they just handle soo funny in comparison. I do know a Gent not too far away from me also in Kansas that deals in these. His name is Bill Brown, Kansas Chapter President of the VJMC. He participates/heads-up whatever events these fellas conjure up. I can look up his number, haven't talked to him in a while. He is also on FB but don't know how to navigate that media ha.     I'll bet there "might" be something similar closer to you though? Here is an event he has/had at his house, does these things every year. Good Luck!! 

I ride a 2006 Goldwing. with a Daytona 2+2 sidecar.  You don't need any training to ride with a sidecar, but you will have to be prepared to armstrong yourself around corners.  If you plan to permanently ride a sidecar I would advise having the bike front end raked a few inches to make it easier to steer.  And be ready for a lot of admiring glances.

asphalt900 wrote:

Good Morning Kofla! I've only ridden a "hacker" a couple times but never owned one, they just handle soo funny in comparison. I do know a Gent not too far away from me also in Kansas that deals in these. His name is Bill Brown, Kansas Chapter President of the VJMC. He participates/heads-up whatever events these fellas conjure up. I can look up his number, haven't talked to him in a while. He is also on FB but don't know how to navigate that media ha.  

 

I'll bet there "might" be something similar closer to you though? Here is an event he has/had at his house, does these things every year. Good Luck!! 

Clay, thank you for including the name of Bill Brown. I will try to find him and his group on Facebook. 

hardrockminer wrote:

I ride a 2006 Goldwing. with a Daytona 2+2 sidecar.  You don't need any training to ride with a sidecar, but you will have to be prepared to armstrong yourself around corners.  If you plan to permanently ride a sidecar I would advise having the bike front end raked a few inches to make it easier to steer.  And be ready for a lot of admiring glances.

Thank you for the feedback. I own two motorcycles, so I don't expect to permanently ride the bike with the sidecar. In 1989 I was working in a Honda dealership (Carl's Honda) in the Canarsie neighborhood of Brooklyn, and was tasked to install a sidecar on a 1988 Goldwing GL1500 (first year of the Goldwing Six). After installation I took the bike for a road test, and I distinctly remember the surprise looks by people in the passing cars. 

Photo of my rig below...it's one of 4 bikes currently, including a Z1B and a 1980 KZ1000 LTD.



 

You seem to know what you're doing so good luck!

hardrockminer wrote:

Photo of my rig below...it's one of 4 bikes currently, including a Z1B and a 1980 KZ1000 LTD.



 

You seem to know what you're doing so good luck!

Thank you for posting your bike and sidecar picture. They look awesome! 

A friend of mine is into sidecars.
He's got one Triumph Rocket 3 and four Harley's with sidecars.
He did have the rigs/frames for two Harley's but sold them.
I can ask if he's got any leads, but being a Harley guy, I don't think that will go far.

Then there's the guy on the 650proboards forum, zedcombo, with a sidecar on his Z650. 
I sent him a message, stating your desire.

20210909-171253 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB

20210909-182445 hosted at ImgBB — ImgBB