TOPIC:

I found out this was an 83 LTD Shaft, not a Spectre

I placed a craigslist ad looking for $100 project bikes. I got a half dozen people trying to sell me bikes from $300 and up to $800. Anyway, a $500 dollar 1982 Spectre I dismissed earlier was offered again to me, for $100. It needs some work and a title, I pick it up Saturday.



To make this Specter deal sound even sweeter, last night I bought a $75 beater, Suz 450 GS. This is a real pos, so I'm going to chop or bob it.


Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2007/02/17 20:25

Sweet deal on the spectre. I thought the forks on the spectre had boots on them, I could be wrong.

Post edited by: mariozappa, at: 2006/11/09 15:28

Mario, that's what I thought too. Actually, I thought with those bars it was an LTD, but I wasn't sure Kaw made one in the 750. After I saw the shaft I looked around, and can only find the 750 Spectre, for maybe 2 years production?

If anyone knows what this is tell me, I really don't know.

Yeah, that's right. I think they were only made in 82 and 83.

This is what I was used to seeing.

Look at the VIN # on the neck. I think you can check there.
The LTD models were H1-2-3 and the spectre was N1 & N2.

And the ltd's were chain drive, and the Spectre a shaft, right?

yep

OKC_Kent wrote:

And the ltd's were chain drive, and the Spectre a shaft, right?

My belief: There was also an 1983 KZ750 Shaft besides the 1983 KZ750-N Spectre (but no 1982 KZ750 Shaft except the 1982 KZ750-N Spectre); but wondering if you will receive a title with numbers matching the frame id which may show the date manufactured. Believe it's correct about the 750 Spectre production only in 1982 and 1983 as KZ750-N (the "N" might possibly show on the title or frame label if still attached and visible).

Can't remember if the squarish padded black seat grab rail was limited to the Spectre, but looks like the one on your bike. Your shocks don't appear OEM Spectre, and believe both 1982s had fork boots. So far, I don't see any real evidence against your bike being a Spectre. Can you see anything left of the gold motor case coloring used on the Spectres (difficult to see from the pics)? The lengthened seat with no duck tail also says Spectre. However, the OEM Spectre exhaust system was black and the motor jugs were black as were the OEM handlebars.

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/11/09 17:32

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/11/09 17:38

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2006/11/09 17:40

OK I picked up the bike and after running the VIN on buykawasaki.com I have a 1983 KZ750 LTD Shaft. I think this was a one year model, lucky me. Parts may be a pain to find, but I think I should do ok. Mileage is 35,000.
Here is my biggest question, how do I fix this broken part? The bike was crashed and damaged the ignition casing.


I realize the best way would be to weld the missing piece back on, but I don't have the missing piece. The next best choice would be to buy a lower case or engine on ebay, but since this is a shaft drive I dont think a one year model will pop up very often. I'm thinking of making some kind of patch, but from what?

Thanks.

Since that portion of the case is for the ignition assy and isn't relegated to containing oil or providing a strong structural support, you could try "reconstructing" that missing portion with JB Weld or a similar product.

If you take your time with the "patch" and smooth it out nicely, and since it's on the bottom portion, I'd be willing to bet you'd be the only one to know it's been repaired.
Ok, so the rest of us here on KZr would know too.
But we can keep a secret.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2006/11/12 12:35

R4 I was just gunna say JB it!!!...the most redneck way to make things work good and look trashy...haha

amen to the JB

I think JB Weld is what I will do, because this won't be a beauty queen by any means. Thanks, I'll post more pics later about this case repair.