Post Sale Update: This KZ sold for $16,300 after 23 bids on eBay…to reader Don P!
An evolution of the KAZ900, the KZ1000 was the fastest production bike when it was released in 1976 (as a ’77 model) thanks to its 83 horsepower, 1,015cc inline four motor. The bike might be most famous for the police variant, which gained popularity on the show CHiPs and managed to stay in production until 2005. With the right accessories, they were solid touring machines. But they were no slouch on the racetrack – Reg Pridmore won the 1978 AMA Superbike championship on a KZ1000.
This example (VIN: KZT00A525898) is highly original, though the seller has replaced the gauges and side covers with nearly new examples from a ’79 model. He did that because the ’80 speedos only went up to 80 miles per hour and the ’80 sidecovers did not say “Mk II” on them. I like the changes, and the original parts are included if you don’t like them. Other non-original parts include new front brake lines, new tires, and “a couple of re-chromed bolts”. Otherwise, the seller claims that he has gone through the rest of the bike so that it “runs as good as it looks”.
Find this KZ for sale in Manassas, Virginia with bidding up to $10,500 and the reserve not yet met
I should note that the seller has a few other classic Japanese motorcycles he’s letting go of, such as a KZ900, CBX, and a CB400F and they all seem to be in similarly nice shape. Find those listings