- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 0
Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
- turbojambox
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
13 Jun 2012 02:29 #528743
by turbojambox
Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B was created by turbojambox
Hello everybody! I just picked up my first KZ and have been obsessively researching them for the past several weeks. KZRider has been a particularly excellent source of information and inspiration, so I decided to join.
I've attached a few pictures for you can see why I'm so excited about this beast of a bike. It's a 1981 KZ1100-B, custom. Bored out to 1300cc, Keihin CR Special carbs, 4-1 pipes (don't know the manufacturer), and custom paint. And this is how I bought the bike! It had been sitting for about 3-4 years, so it has all the expected issues, dead battery, gunked up carbs, etc. Plus the front fork seals and brakes needed a rebuild. Other than that, the bike is in perfect condition. I'm REALLY looking forward to getting this beauty back on the streets. The guy I bought it from claims that it pulled 175HP on the dyno! We'll see...
Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there to see what other people think about it. I'd love to hear your thoughts/opinions/advice, good OR bad about the bike.
Cheers!
FYI, the photos I posted are from BEFORE it was garaged, about 4 years ago. I'll post updated photos once she's cleaned up a bit
I've attached a few pictures for you can see why I'm so excited about this beast of a bike. It's a 1981 KZ1100-B, custom. Bored out to 1300cc, Keihin CR Special carbs, 4-1 pipes (don't know the manufacturer), and custom paint. And this is how I bought the bike! It had been sitting for about 3-4 years, so it has all the expected issues, dead battery, gunked up carbs, etc. Plus the front fork seals and brakes needed a rebuild. Other than that, the bike is in perfect condition. I'm REALLY looking forward to getting this beauty back on the streets. The guy I bought it from claims that it pulled 175HP on the dyno! We'll see...
Anyway, I just wanted to put it out there to see what other people think about it. I'd love to hear your thoughts/opinions/advice, good OR bad about the bike.
Cheers!
FYI, the photos I posted are from BEFORE it was garaged, about 4 years ago. I'll post updated photos once she's cleaned up a bit
Attachments:
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
Less
More
- Posts: 8726
- Thank you received: 235
13 Jun 2012 02:35 #528744
by trianglelaguna
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Replied by trianglelaguna on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
i think it is a GPZ1100 or that is what the side covers used to say
i saw that bike on the L.a craigslist last year i think
nice bike and you will be flying on it, wow
nice score ..
welcome
we love pics and proper intro's so good on you
where are you at in general location...there are some folks near you i think
Craig
in monterey bay
i saw that bike on the L.a craigslist last year i think
nice bike and you will be flying on it, wow
nice score ..
welcome
we love pics and proper intro's so good on you
where are you at in general location...there are some folks near you i think
Craig
in monterey bay
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
Less
More
- Posts: 8726
- Thank you received: 235
13 Jun 2012 02:37 - 13 Jun 2012 02:42 #528745
by trianglelaguna
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Replied by trianglelaguna on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
i think the header is a supertrapp and the can was added /grafted...it has been coated too
here are some angles of 81 gpz1100 in the u.s that was it's name
and a euro one painted and hacked on some
here are some angles of 81 gpz1100 in the u.s that was it's name
and a euro one painted and hacked on some
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Last edit: 13 Jun 2012 02:42 by trianglelaguna.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- turbojambox
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 0
13 Jun 2012 05:04 #528762
by turbojambox
Replied by turbojambox on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
Thanks Craig! I appreciate the keen observations.
Yeah, in searching the web, I was having a hard time finding a 1981 KZ1100 that looked like this, most noticeably the square headlight. I just yesterday started to suspect that is was actually a GPZ , as you say. A VIN lookup tells me it's a KZ1100-B, but I think you are correct. Perhaps "GPZ" was a bit like the "Ninja" moniker, kind of an unofficial model name?
By the way, I live in Silver Lake, if you're familiar with Los Angeles. I guess I should fill out my profile info!
Yeah, in searching the web, I was having a hard time finding a 1981 KZ1100 that looked like this, most noticeably the square headlight. I just yesterday started to suspect that is was actually a GPZ , as you say. A VIN lookup tells me it's a KZ1100-B, but I think you are correct. Perhaps "GPZ" was a bit like the "Ninja" moniker, kind of an unofficial model name?
By the way, I live in Silver Lake, if you're familiar with Los Angeles. I guess I should fill out my profile info!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Motor Head
- Offline
- User
- FIX UP YOUR BIKE RIGHT AND CHEAP
Less
More
- Posts: 5138
- Thank you received: 391
13 Jun 2012 10:33 #528802
by Motor Head
1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
Replied by Motor Head on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
You made a couple of very good decisions there.
1st the bike purchase, and 2nd joining KZR. This is the place for old Kaw riders. Thats one nice score there.
1st the bike purchase, and 2nd joining KZR. This is the place for old Kaw riders. Thats one nice score there.
1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
The following user(s) said Thank You: turbojambox
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- peter1958
- Offline
- Banned
Less
More
- Posts: 1555
- Thank you received: 198
13 Jun 2012 12:11 #528823
by peter1958
Replied by peter1958 on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
Nice Bike
The following user(s) said Thank You: turbojambox
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- turbojambox
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 0
13 Jun 2012 17:40 #528899
by turbojambox
Replied by turbojambox on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
Thanks Motorhead! I'm really looking forward getting back on two wheels again. It's great to have an excellent resource like KZRider, it seems to be one of the best forums I've found. Lots of great, knowledgable people
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- turbojambox
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
Less
More
- Posts: 7
- Thank you received: 0
13 Jun 2012 17:44 #528902
by turbojambox
Replied by turbojambox on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
Thanks Peter, I had seen photos of your ELR before when I was searching for info about seat reupholstering. If I ever do a cosmetic overhaul on my KZ, I'll be seriously considering an attempt to clone the ELR. Such a legendary bike... Yours looks real clean.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- trianglelaguna
- Offline
- User
- New and improved - extra strength
Less
More
- Posts: 8726
- Thank you received: 235
14 Jun 2012 01:16 #529014
by trianglelaguna
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Replied by trianglelaguna on topic Hello KZRider Forum! My first KZ, a 1981 KZ1100-B
the gpz is it's own legend too...with that much work into it you may find the red stock theme paint would light that sumabittch back to orig glory and really set those carbs and a decent header into the theme...the owner blinged it up...good for him...but the black on red gpz1100 was no joke
petes elr is bad to the bone...not cause it's green...but cause its a real elr...oh ...and its green.... imo
a real red giant gpz1100 is bad to the bone on it's own two feet
just thoughts
i love the 81 gpz1100 and the ELR too
but one is not the other and both are bad ass too
petes elr is bad to the bone...not cause it's green...but cause its a real elr...oh ...and its green.... imo
a real red giant gpz1100 is bad to the bone on it's own two feet
just thoughts
i love the 81 gpz1100 and the ELR too
but one is not the other and both are bad ass too
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.