One 1979 LTD 1000 Brought Back

[tbird71]

I'm old school, like my bikes as close to stock as possible.

Spent most of the summer restoring and bringing this one back.

Now it's on to my "other" 1979...a pretty nice XS1100F!

The only non stock item is exhaust...Kaw used cheap ass Jardine slip ons on their early LTDs...not this ol boy...I had my old Russ Collins header left and in my book anyway, an LTD just doesn't look right without a quality performance header on it...what do you guys think?

[jetmechmarty]

That's a mighty fine looking bike!

[MarkD]

That is one cool 'go-slo-scoot' as we used to call our bikes back in the early-mid '70's. Beautiful. Will be looking forward to some pics of your '79F, as that is what I ride. I have it almost all original, too, with the exception of the exhaust.( and TC's fuse panel).

[IanDMacDonald]

That bike being similar in displacement to ours, and the fact that it's chain-driven, I'm curious to hear how it rides compared to the XS11.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe the LTD was the cruiser model of the KZ1000, just as our Special is, or the GS "L" model.

[cpmaynard1980]

Nice bike! I have a 77 KZ1000, and its practically the same bike. You wouldnt have any extra KZ parts laying around would ya?

[Rickrod3]

very nice Job!
give us a comparison to the XS.

[fredintoon]

I'm old school, like my bikes as close to stock as possible. Spent most of the summer restoring and bringing this one back.
Now it's on to my "other" 1979...a pretty nice XS1100F!
The only non stock item is exhaust...Kaw used cheap ass Jardine slip ons on their early LTDs...not this ol boy...I had my old Russ Collins header left and in my book anyway, an LTD just doesn't look right without a quality performance header on it...what do you guys think?

Hi Tbird,
had a WTF moment when I misread Brought to be Brough but yeah, you brought this one back real nice.
Typically 4 into 1 headers boost the top end but lose some mid range; did this happen on the Kawi?

[tbird71]

Parts

Thanx for all the comments guys...The XS is more like a Cadillac compared to a Chevy if comparing it to the Kaw...you cannot "horse" the XS around, my Kaw didn't lose any mid range with the header it does fine up to 115 which is as fast as I'll go...LOL

I like them both for different reasons, on a straight cruise I much prefer the XS as you know it doesn't really open up until the higher rev range, in town and just cattin about the LTD is my choice, much easier stop and go and Kawis have a better transmission, just a fact when doing a lot of shifting.

The XS is a LONG HAUL bike, if you're going 80-100 miles on the interstate for example. It's a fine machine for what it was intended for.

I may have few parts if you tell me what you're looking for I will see.
I DO have those stock pipes, but want to keep them should I sell this my RC header's coming off. Never know when I may decide to do another KZ1000B...LOL

[IanDMacDonald]

Dang, you should have a little fun modding your mechanical advance to advance the timing. My bike runs like a rocket from take-off with the set-up I have, and I don't see fuel suffering.

[jetmechmarty]

I stopped at Rider's Hill yesterday for a cup of coffee while I waited to meet somebody. The usual bikes were parked around the place for a sunny Saturday. This one got my attention.

[IanDMacDonald]

Nice Yoshi pipe. Sucks to see that dent in the tank. I had a little KZ440. Might have been the worst bike ever, lol. I don't like bikes with electric start only, with the exception to my GSX'R and CBR.

[jetmechmarty]

I just found this one on Craig's list. Ick!

[tbird71]

I have seen it all now....

APES on a KZ1000...I hope that "fad" of the 60s goes away soon...
Next thing we'll see is apes on a Helix...LOL

[fredintoon]

APES on a KZ1000...I hope that "fad" of the 60s goes away soon...
Next thing we'll see is apes on a Helix...LOL

Hi Tbird,
apes are no biggie, just a few moments work to swap 'em out for something more sensible, eh?
Even the one whitewall (none or both fer chrissake) don't bother me, it'll need replacing soon enough.
What intrigues me is the bike's rear end treatment.
Does the rear fender hinge up and down as the rear wheel moves
or have the rear shocks been strutted or what?