1979 Kawasaki LTD 1000

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  • Prisoner6
    XS-XJ Guru
    • Aug 2013
    • 1184
    • Phoenix, AZ

    #1

    1979 Kawasaki LTD 1000

    I found it interesting that this "custom" bike from the same era as our Specials sold yesterday morning for $7,900 ...



    A gorgeous example of the LTD 1000 ... I've always thought Kawasaki nailed just the right look on these big '79-'80 LTD's.

    Here is the link to the original Ebay ad with more pics:

    Marco

    Current bikes:
    1979 Yamaha XS Eleven Special (SF)
    1979 Honda CBX
    2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R

    Rest in Peace, Don Glardon (DGXSER) 1966-2014
    WE MISS YOU, DON
  • Bikes
    Truly XSive
    • Oct 2014
    • 174
    • Coastal Maine

    #2
    I agree....i was a big Kawi fan back then, had a couple GPZs and a 74 900....
    Heres a nice 900, not as pricey but close......


    My BIL just picked up a 1000 shafty...so I got to work on it and ride it some....nice bike but not as smooth as the Yamaha.....
    Mark
    1980 xs1100g 3H5.......
    1992 Ducati 907ie
    2001 Moto Guzzi Jackal

    Comment

    • IanDMacDonald
      XS-XJ Super Guru
      • Oct 2010
      • 3917
      • Grand Blanc & Fenton, MI

      #3
      I actually disagree. Never been a fan of those, or the "L" models of the Suzys. I think Yamaha nailed it, lol.
      1979 XS1100F
      2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.

      Comment

      • XJOK2PLAY
        XS-XJ Guru
        • Jan 2009
        • 2099
        • Skiatook, Ok.

        #4
        Ya know, Marco... That's a really nice bike, but $7900 's pretty strong $$ for a '79 model.

        I've seen low mileage, pristine Concours's go for less!

        Good looking bike though.
        '82 XJ1100J Maxim (has been sold.)

        '79 F "Time Machine"... oh yeah, Baby.... (Sold back to Maximan)

        2011 Kaw Concours 14 ABS

        In the warden's words from Cool Hand Luke;
        "What we have here is a failure to communicate."

        Comment

        • jetmechmarty
          Master of XSology
          • Nov 2003
          • 7768
          • Coldwater, Mississippi

          #5
          Those particular Kawasakis are very strong performers in the market for that vintage. They bring a lot more money than an XS1100, even though they don't perform as well on the street. I love the look of them, especially the LTD with its short tank and fender.
          Marty (in Mississippi)
          XS1100SG
          XS650SK
          XS650SH
          XS650G
          XS6502F
          XS650E

          Comment

          • madmax-im
            Master of XSology
            • Sep 2007
            • 6751
            • Southern Comfort...Wendell NC

            #6
            Totally agree that Kawasaki hit the mark on the 1000 LTD...this one is pristine and is stunning....it is good to see bikes of our vintage commanding such values...they will only appreciate more as time moves forward...
            1980 XS650G Special-Two
            1993 Honda ST1100

            Comment

            • IanDMacDonald
              XS-XJ Super Guru
              • Oct 2010
              • 3917
              • Grand Blanc & Fenton, MI

              #7
              I'm completely surprised so many like the look of that bike! I guess that's why I don't own any specials though . . .
              1979 XS1100F
              2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.

              Comment

              • madmax-im
                Master of XSology
                • Sep 2007
                • 6751
                • Southern Comfort...Wendell NC

                #8
                You need to age more Ian...LOL The look is awesome...
                1980 XS650G Special-Two
                1993 Honda ST1100

                Comment

                • jetmechmarty
                  Master of XSology
                  • Nov 2003
                  • 7768
                  • Coldwater, Mississippi

                  #9
                  Originally posted by IanDMacDonald
                  I'm completely surprised so many like the look of that bike! I guess that's why I don't own any specials though . . .

                  Ian, you're 30 years old. Why would you like it? In 1979, I was 20. This styling was beginning to take over and it was all the rage. That's why I like it today. The older guys prefer standards. Ya, they're great, but the Special is what floats my boat.


                  Marty (in Mississippi)
                  XS1100SG
                  XS650SK
                  XS650SH
                  XS650G
                  XS6502F
                  XS650E

                  Comment

                  • madmax-im
                    Master of XSology
                    • Sep 2007
                    • 6751
                    • Southern Comfort...Wendell NC

                    #10
                    very well said Marty...Those thoughts were on my mind as well but I didnt express it that way...ofc we grew up with this look so it is nostalgic to a certain extent but we genuinely love the look...we get it...
                    1980 XS650G Special-Two
                    1993 Honda ST1100

                    Comment

                    • natemoen
                      Master of XSology
                      • May 2010
                      • 8640
                      • Fargo

                      #11
                      I like the look up until the tail light/fender thing.

                      I like the tank, it is kind of a mix of the standard and special tanks from the xs.

                      I actually saw one the other day and really liked it but didn't know what it was until this (no badges or marking on it). The one I saw had a modified tail end though that looked better. The tank is a dead giveaway though
                      Last edited by natemoen; 06-29-2015, 07:46 PM.
                      Nathan
                      KD9ARL

                      μολὼν λαβέ

                      1978 XS1100E
                      K&N Filter
                      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                      OEM Exhaust
                      ATK Fork Brace
                      LED Dash lights
                      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                      Green Monster Coils
                      SS Brake Lines
                      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                      Theodore Roosevelt

                      Comment

                      • Prisoner6
                        XS-XJ Guru
                        • Aug 2013
                        • 1184
                        • Phoenix, AZ

                        #12
                        Originally posted by XJOK2PLAY
                        Ya know, Marco... That's a really nice bike, but $7900 's pretty strong $$ for a '79 model.
                        Originally posted by jetmechmarty
                        Those particular Kawasakis are very strong performers in the market for that vintage. They bring a lot more money than an XS1100 ...
                        Yeah, guys, I've noticed over the last couple of years that these big LTD's are commanding premium prices (when they're in great shape)

                        compared to prices paid for other liter-size factory "customs" of that era (in similar condition) from Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki.

                        Any ideas why?


                        On a side note: For some reason, the seller of the '79 above included the rear grab rail in the sale, but chose not to show it mounted in the pics.

                        Here is a pic of an '80 LTD 1000 with the grab rail in place ... it's inclusion on the bike gives the illusion that the tail section is shorter than it really is:



                        And FWIW, this one was in an Ebay auction a few weeks ago, and the auction ended with the high bid at $7,100.01 ... reserve was not met... again, a premium price.

                        And this one is clearly not all-original! Aftermarket exhaust, pods, handlebars, etc.
                        Marco

                        Current bikes:
                        1979 Yamaha XS Eleven Special (SF)
                        1979 Honda CBX
                        2002 Kawasaki ZRX1200R

                        Rest in Peace, Don Glardon (DGXSER) 1966-2014
                        WE MISS YOU, DON

                        Comment

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