1980 KZ1300 - Hen's Teeth Do Exist
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- Barney T Weasel
- Titanium Member
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- Location: Central Coast Australia
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Bonus Video
That smoke will probably be the valve seals are hardened. No big deal there. Just run it more often and it'll clean up.
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
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- calif wingnut
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1650
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:10 am
- Location: Patterson, Calif 44 years winging it
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
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- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Kawasaki Economics
I got a present in the mail today....
The reason I needed a new set of forks?
This.
Seriously. I went to take off the gaiters on the front forks (well, much as I could without pulling the front end off) and I realized that they replaced the stock dust covers. Which are difficult to find (surprise surprise- apparently, 41mm forks aren't very popular). I did find a pair-
For $30.
Each.
OOOOOOOOOR I could buy a whole new set of forks for the same price, shipped to my door.
Which are going straight back on Ebay.
The reason I needed a new set of forks?
This.
Seriously. I went to take off the gaiters on the front forks (well, much as I could without pulling the front end off) and I realized that they replaced the stock dust covers. Which are difficult to find (surprise surprise- apparently, 41mm forks aren't very popular). I did find a pair-
For $30.
Each.
OOOOOOOOOR I could buy a whole new set of forks for the same price, shipped to my door.
Which are going straight back on Ebay.

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1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4160
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Sparky's Wired
Finally got 90% of the parts for my coil swap in today, namely the spark plug wires. I could've gone with basic black, but you know what? This bike is kinda special....
UNFORTUNATELY I can't exactly test them out yet. You see, I'm missing two of the caps that actually attach the park plug wires to the coils, so I was only able to install two of my new coils into the bike. (If anyone's got a set of caps for an AW82-TR1 coil...?) In addition, I pulled a spark plug or two, and the electrodes on at least one of them (possibly more) are worn down to nearly nothing. So, next payday we're getting a whole new set of plugs, too. Buying six at once should be fun...
UNFORTUNATELY I can't exactly test them out yet. You see, I'm missing two of the caps that actually attach the park plug wires to the coils, so I was only able to install two of my new coils into the bike. (If anyone's got a set of caps for an AW82-TR1 coil...?) In addition, I pulled a spark plug or two, and the electrodes on at least one of them (possibly more) are worn down to nearly nothing. So, next payday we're getting a whole new set of plugs, too. Buying six at once should be fun...
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1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- calif wingnut
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1650
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:10 am
- Location: Patterson, Calif 44 years winging it
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Sparky's Wired
Here's another 79 1300 with factory fairing @ http://www.yelp.com/biz/sport-wheels-jordan in Minnesota in the background behind the gl1500 parts boxes.
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Last edited by calif wingnut on Sun Jul 20, 2014 12:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Terry in Australia
- Billet Alum. Member
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- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:31 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia Mate!
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Sparky's Wired
Wow, I wonder how much they want for that big beastie? Cheers, Terry.
1986 GL1200i
- Jetubet
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 303
- Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2009 1:26 pm
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- Sparky's Wired
I had a 1980 1300. Bought it with 3000 miles on it. Sold it with 14000 on it. I had to replace the stator. The biggest problem I had with it and one that was chronic for me was the mechanical seal in the water pump. I think I replaced it three times in total. A big job. I don't think in general that it's a problem with the 1300 line though, the voyager line seems to do fine. I rode that bike very hard. I understand that a cam chain tensioner update is mandatory for it. The adjustment shims are on top of the lifters so you don't have to pull the cams to adjust valve clearances, which is nice. Once you get it where you want it, it'll be easy to maintain. The ignition pickups were chain driven in 1979 and 1980 until they moved to crank sensors in 81 and 82 and did away with the round housing behind the cylinders. The 1982 bike is the one I'd look for to replace what I had. I'm getting older now and the wing suits me better. The wing is finally all dialed in and sure is sweet. Although a late model voyager XIII still intrigues me. You will know your bike very well by the time you're through with it. Enjoy.


1983 Goldwing 1100 Standard
Candy Regal Brown
Candy Regal Brown
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
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- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
Had a wonderful pair of packages show up today. They may not seem like much, but I couldn't be happier. First off- this guy.
That small black bracket (right in front of the paper) is actually very important- it connects to another small bracket on the bottom of the headlight bucket and locks in the coarse up-down light adjustment. Problem? These often get thrown away, are hard to find, are no longer made, AND unique to the KZ1300. And quite necessary. I was fully prepared to mock up and weld one of my own from another bike, but got Ebay lucky- somebody was selling the front brake line splitter and it still had this bracket attached. Once again, I have to buy an entire brake line assembly for the small bracket on top.
I shouldn't complain, though. It wasn't too expensive, and I got the added bonus of a whole mess of hardware (bolts, washers, grommets) that goes on the bracket that's attached to the headlight. I was going to make to with hardware parts, but now I don't have to.
BUT- more exciting than that? My SECOND package...
TADA! Yeah, it's just a horn cover, but these things are an absolute #*^$# to find, much less for a decent price. Got lucky on Ebay again. Got it for a lot less than I thought I was going to have to pay, it's in GREAT shape (very solid, surprising considering the age and the delicate parts- if you can't tell, those holes in the ribs go all the way through on the ends) AND the small mounting bracket came with it!
While I still have some work to do on the back (coils, seat, etc.), once I get my parts back from the powdercoater I think I have the entire front end buttoned up! I really wasn't expecting to get these parts. I'm glad I could find them.
That small black bracket (right in front of the paper) is actually very important- it connects to another small bracket on the bottom of the headlight bucket and locks in the coarse up-down light adjustment. Problem? These often get thrown away, are hard to find, are no longer made, AND unique to the KZ1300. And quite necessary. I was fully prepared to mock up and weld one of my own from another bike, but got Ebay lucky- somebody was selling the front brake line splitter and it still had this bracket attached. Once again, I have to buy an entire brake line assembly for the small bracket on top.
I shouldn't complain, though. It wasn't too expensive, and I got the added bonus of a whole mess of hardware (bolts, washers, grommets) that goes on the bracket that's attached to the headlight. I was going to make to with hardware parts, but now I don't have to.
BUT- more exciting than that? My SECOND package...
TADA! Yeah, it's just a horn cover, but these things are an absolute #*^$# to find, much less for a decent price. Got lucky on Ebay again. Got it for a lot less than I thought I was going to have to pay, it's in GREAT shape (very solid, surprising considering the age and the delicate parts- if you can't tell, those holes in the ribs go all the way through on the ends) AND the small mounting bracket came with it!
While I still have some work to do on the back (coils, seat, etc.), once I get my parts back from the powdercoater I think I have the entire front end buttoned up! I really wasn't expecting to get these parts. I'm glad I could find them.
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1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- terry_208
- Silver Member
- Posts: 729
- Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2009 3:03 pm
- Location: Boise, ID
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
LH, I hope that grill wasn't too expensive, attached to the bike like it is! lol Great score.
Terry
1976 GL1000
1976 GL1000
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
Sorry I've not been as attentive as I should be (I love this resto), but the fan running after shutting down is a Kawasaki thing. I've had two ZL900's that did it. (Bought one brand new, bought a second 5 years ago only to have it totaled when I was rear-ended at a traffic light in 2011).
Yes, I was bummed. But luckily essentially unhurt.
Yes, I was bummed. But luckily essentially unhurt.
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- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- Barney T Weasel
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- Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:21 pm
- Location: Central Coast Australia
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
My Z1300 fan always runs twice after I stop it on a hot day...totally normal.
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
- Terry in Australia
- Billet Alum. Member
- Posts: 292
- Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2013 6:31 pm
- Location: Melbourne, Australia Mate!
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
Ouch! I hope you got compensated for that mate? Years ago I saw the result of a school bus rear-ending a Harley fatboy (across the road from the Melbourne Cemetery, coincidentally) The bus' front bumper was sitting on the bike's gas tank, but the bike was still upright.desertrefugee wrote:Sorry I've not been as attentive as I should be (I love this resto), but the fan running after shutting down is a Kawasaki thing. I've had two ZL900's that did it. (Bought one brand new, bought a second 5 years ago only to have it totaled when I was rear-ended at a traffic light in 2011).
Yes, I was bummed. But luckily essentially unhurt.
Luckily for me, the biker's body had been extracted just before I got there, so I didn't have to see that. It appears that the biker had just been sitting on his bike at the intersection and the bus driver was distracted, and just ran over him. Cheers, Terry.
1986 GL1200i
- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
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- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
It was expensive enough...terry_208 wrote:LH, I hope that grill wasn't too expensive, attached to the bike like it is! lol Great score.


As far as getting rear-ended- eep. That right there is one of my biggest fears, followed closely by accidentally laying the bike down with another car following too close behind. Mostly because you're the one getting plastered, and it NO fault of your own. Good to hear you made it out okay desertrefugee.
Some more news.... I caved. As far as the chorme fork ear guides go, I WAS going to make the set I bought cheap work, but I was struck with the desire to restore this bike RIGHT. Nobody would notice but me, but it would bug the CRAP out of me if I used the wrong parts. So I have a pair of (correct) lower fork ear guides coming in the mail.
And I am DEFINITELY not telling you how much I spent on those...

1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- calif wingnut
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1650
- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:10 am
- Location: Patterson, Calif 44 years winging it
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
Here's the scoop on the 1300 in Minnesota
Jeff. You're correct, there is a 1979 Kawasaki KZ1300 in the back. The bike is complete and was last run last fall. The battery is new as of June 2014. I haven't run the bike, but it does turn over and has spark. The starter is a little weak and doesn't spin it over very fast so I haven't gotten it to fire up yet. It does have all the factory Kawasaki touring kit (fairing, saddlebags, and trunk). The paint is all original, the exhaust is dirty, but nice. I'll try to get some pictures of it today and send them to you. I'd sell it as-is for $2000.
Jeff. You're correct, there is a 1979 Kawasaki KZ1300 in the back. The bike is complete and was last run last fall. The battery is new as of June 2014. I haven't run the bike, but it does turn over and has spark. The starter is a little weak and doesn't spin it over very fast so I haven't gotten it to fire up yet. It does have all the factory Kawasaki touring kit (fairing, saddlebags, and trunk). The paint is all original, the exhaust is dirty, but nice. I'll try to get some pictures of it today and send them to you. I'd sell it as-is for $2000.
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- Lucien Harpress
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 4160
- Joined: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:41 am
- Location: Michigan
Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi" Build- It's the Little Things...
Still poking away at the little things. The lower headlight ear guides came today- SURPRISE! They're chrome. (Not much on this bike is. It's okay- the blacked-out thing fits the bike) I may have a line on the other guide pieces as well. From the top of the triple tree on down it goes:
Top Triple Tree Clamp
Upper Fork Cover Guide (don't have)
Headlight fork ear (have)
Lower Fork Cover Guide (just arrived, so have that)
Lower Fork Cover Washer (don't have)
Fork Ear Damper (don't have, but can stretch one from a 37mm fork)
Lower Triple Tree Clamp
I'm still waiting on a guy on another forum to check his spares, so hopefully I may get lucky.
Powercoater contacted me- my parts are in line to get done tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have those in a day or two. My last coil should be in the mail, so that's hopefully a couple days out as well. At the very least once the coils are hooked up I can start fine-tuning the engine and maybe get a BIT of riding in this summer....
Top Triple Tree Clamp
Upper Fork Cover Guide (don't have)
Headlight fork ear (have)
Lower Fork Cover Guide (just arrived, so have that)
Lower Fork Cover Washer (don't have)
Fork Ear Damper (don't have, but can stretch one from a 37mm fork)
Lower Triple Tree Clamp
I'm still waiting on a guy on another forum to check his spares, so hopefully I may get lucky.
Powercoater contacted me- my parts are in line to get done tomorrow, so hopefully I'll have those in a day or two. My last coil should be in the mail, so that's hopefully a couple days out as well. At the very least once the coils are hooked up I can start fine-tuning the engine and maybe get a BIT of riding in this summer....
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- Behaving Itself Rather Nicely
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Learning The Joys of 4 Cable Carbs
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.