KZ 1st. Build ?

So if wanting to stay with carbureted 13's, I need not to look past an 82' model ?

Correct. In addition, all KZ models in the US are Carbs.

She is gorgeous!

StanG wrote:

trainers,

Keep in mind there is a limited amount of performance you can add to this bike (short of turbo/supercharging).

Because of the small bore/long stroke design, the valve size is limiting. The guys that have done bigbore kits generally report more bottom/mid-range power, but no real increase at the top. This is to be expected with flow being limited. You can have the cams welded/ground to increase lift/duration. That will help out the top end. But carbs don't take kindly to really wild cams on the low end.

Not that the basic exhaust/air filter mods/big bore kit are not going to make a noticeable improvement, they will. But if you are looking to go from 120hp to 160hp, that will be tough. But the basic mods will give more low/mid punch and that usually makes life more fun!

She is gorgeous!

Thank you!

Also realize that lots of folks don't know what they have. For instance, this bike:

nwct.craigslist.org/mcy/d/kawasaki-kz1300/6758765274.html

Is advertised as a 1986. But it's not. It IS a KZ1300 (and 1984 and later would be ZN1300). It is clear from the side covers and tank. The ZN side covers are swoopy because of the shape of the frame at that point. The ZN tanks have the electronics in them. While I realize this bike is not close to you, other than that, it could make a great conversion candidate if the tank and engine are solid as he claims.