TOPIC:

I’m looking forward to seeing the start of what will undoubtedly be a long but interesting restoration thread on here , Don.   I guess you won’t know yet if the cylinder bores are rusty or not. Hopefully not!    Is it your intention to retain the standard appearance on this one?

biltonjim wrote:

I’m looking forward to seeing the start of what will undoubtedly be a long but interesting restoration thread on here , Don.   I guess you won’t know yet if the cylinder bores are rusty or not. Hopefully not!    Is it your intention to retain the standard appearance on this one?

I don't think so... tank and front fender require new paint. And, the 500 dollar 1981 I picked up (don't recall posting pics of it here it) is in MUCH better OEM patina shape. It would be the one keep looking stock. 

..if painting is required, I'm thinking of something like this.

Or, if someone were to offer a tad bit more than what I paid for it, I'd consider letting it go. My OEM new-to-me is still on the lift, I'm kinda stuck with an ignition problem, and the 81 sits behind it... 

 

dcarver220b wrote:

Many months ago, as in, IIRC, 2 years ago, a guy named 'Bob' posted on KZ1300.com he had a 79A1 for sale. I contacted Bob. Liked him. Retired TRW engineer, smart, with humor. Then, as often happens,  life. Work for me, some medical stuff for him, some laziness on my part. So time passed. But we texted or called infrequently, kept the 'deal' alive.

Bob bought the KZ new. Being an engineer, he made some minor improvements. And, being a multi-talented engineer, (mechanical, electronic, machinist) he was also smart enough to buy spare KZ OEM parts that 'statistically might be required for subsuquent evolutions'. My words not his but you get the gist of it.Bob had moved into a new to him house. Parked the bike, after having carbs sync'd and what not, covered it with full intentions of riding it again. Then, life happened.38 years later, the bike would see daylight. What condition would it be in? I respect Bob's privacy and won't say location, but it's a beach town. Then again, covered and indoor stored.  Guess we'll find out.First things first.

2002 Dodge dually got oil change and wash job. She's a 20 footer truck. Greater than 20 feet looks great.. but fresh spray as the English say is on the schedule.

New tires for the lil trailer. Spare too!

Ok then, daylight is burning. Got hold of my bud Don J who will be my co-pilot.

We arrive. Bike on the left.

38 years later? What will it look like? Georgous, beautiful, or...
Pulled the cover, tried to air the tires.. rock hard with 0 psi... but put *some* PSIGs in.. then...

 

Amazing barn find, you leave me speechless, lucky man.

I don't understand how a person can leave a motorcycle abandoned for so many years after showing his freaky side by collecting so many 1300 gifts.

Did you help him sweep the garage or did you leave in a hurry before he changed his mind about selling so much memorabilia at once?

 

Box 2 was filled with KZ treasures...