Restomod Kawasaki KZ1000 And Possible Sidecar Newbie

This post 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.

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. 

Part 2: Restoration of my 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD

The motorcycle title finally arrived two days ago in the mail. It has been officially transferred to my name. It only took three weeks to come in the mail. This motorcycle has been sitting in storage since 2010. 

The next step is to put the bike together; find a used wooden pallet from my local dealership, and ship it to Puerto Rico. Once the bike restoration is completed, the ugly LTD look will be gone, and it should look very similar to the one shown in the picture. I am really looking forward to getting things started. 

Part 1: Restoration

Parte 1: Restauracion de la 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD

Han pasado 7 años y muchas cosas han sucedido desde la ultima vez que escribi some el tema de restaurar una 1978 Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD clasica que compre en el 2019.

Esta semana pasada, finalmente transferi el titulo de la moto a mi nombre. Si todo sale bien, y no hay problemas con los documentos, en un par de semanas tendre el titulo nuevo en el correo. 

Esta vez, para no interrumpir el proceso de la restauracion, voy a tratar poco a poco ir mencionando el progreso de lo que he estado haciendo con la motora. Por ahora, los planes son de preparar la moto cosa que cuando la envie a Puerto Rico, se haga mas facil de trabajar en ella. 

A la semana de comprarla, tuve la dichosa suerte de encontrar en Marketplace de Facebook un Kerker 4-1 en excelente condicion, y practicamente casi regalado en Inglaterra. 

Esta tarde empeze a desarmar los carburadores, y ya mas o menos se las piezas que voy a necesitar para ponerla en optimas condiciones. Tan pronto la motora este en Puerto Rico, pienso inspeccionar y reconstruir el motor cosa de que quede nueva otra vez. Para ser una motora que ha estado guardada en un garaje por los ultimos 15 años, la moto se ve en muy buenas condiciones. Como dice el refran, "Roma no se construyo en un dia."