For some reason, the seller of this KZ keeps calling it a Eddie Lawson replica (even though he admits that’s not the case at the end of the listing), but I still think this is interesting because it’s a West German model that was originally acquired by a member of the US Army who brought it back to California after he left the service.
Many markets did not see this bike, but in essence Kawasaki took a ’83 KZ1000 chassis and then shoved in the motor from a GPZ1100. The displacement increase and usage of four Mikuni carbs yielded a 10% boost in horsepower. The suspension was an air-assisted fork up front with remote-reservoir equipped KYB shocks that were adjustable for both preload and damping.
Adorned in Stardust Blue, this KZ (VIN: KZT10R000020) changed hands from the original owner to his brother in 1996. The seller rode it “sparingly” over the next decade but it’s been on non-op for “a couple of years” and his wife is saying it has to go. The odometer shows 39,487 kilometers (24,536 miles) and it comes with a Kerker exhaust. In 2006, the seller had some work done to the bike. Highlights include a top end rebuild, new starter motor, new fork seals, carb cleaning and rejetting for the Kerker exhaust, new regulator, new stator, and he had part of the crankcase welded to “eliminate a slow oil leak.” Note that the front fairing and windshield are aftermarket replacements but he’s including the original manual with the sail. In the last month the carbs were cleaned again, the bike got a new battery and new Pirelli Sport Demon tires. It’s definitely got some minor cosmetic issues (and I’d probably get rid of the ELR sticker on the tank) but a collector might appreciate the non-US original specification.
Find this KZ for sale in Ventura, California with an unmet opening bid of $6,500